Should You Repair Or Upgrade Your Air Conditioner?

Your home warranty is there to protect you in case you need to make repairs, but repairing is not always the best solution. Your home warranty has programs that can work for you when it is time to upgrade your air conditioner — in addition to tax credits and rebates that are already available.

Major Considerations of Houston AC Repair and Services

If you are on the fence deciding whether or not to replace your air conditioning system, here are some major considerations:

• Lower Energy Bills An upgraded air conditioning system can lower your energy bills by hundreds of dollars a year.

• Return on Investment Energy prices will continue to go up. A more energy efficient system will help to offset these costs.

• Higher Resale Value The Appraisal Journal found that home value goes up by over $20 for every dollar saved on energy bills.

• Comfort Level New systems remove as much as 3 times as much humidity from the air as older units. Filtration systems can remove up to 99.98% of all airborne contaminants. Variable speed units supply a continuous flow of air at minimal cost.

• Reliability New, properly maintained equipment will be more reliable giving you peace of mind.

• Quieter New equipment is much quieter, up to 40% quieter or more in most cases. You will notice the difference immediately.

• Environmental Impact New air conditioners are much better for the environment, having a smaller CO2 footprint and help to save fossil fuels.

• System Compatibility Refrigerant controls for new condenser units are incompatible with most pre-2006 indoor units. Installing a new outdoor unit without replacing the indoor unit is likely to result in low efficiency, and may lead to premature failure of the new compressor—the most important component.

• New Refrigerants In Use R-22 refrigerant is no longer manufactured. Older systems will become more and more expensive to maintain as R-22 refrigerant becomes more scarce.

• Duct Work If you repair or replace old duct work that leaks or is not insulated properly at the same time you install a new air conditioner you could increase overall efficiency in excess of 75%.

• Tax Credits, Rebates and Financial Incentives are only available when you replace your entire system. Tax credits up to $1,500 are only available until the end of 2010.

• Home Warranty Allowance Your home warranty works for you with more than just home repairs. Home warranty allowances can be used toward an upgraded system you can enjoy for years to come.

How Old Is Your System?

If your air conditioner is over 10 years old you will likely be better off with a new system regardless of how well your current one runs. Why? Because older air conditioners use much more energy than new ones. It is more practical and economically sound to upgrade than to repair your old system.

When Is A Major Repair An Option?

Sometimes it makes more sense to repair than replace your equipment. Some of these reasons might include the following:

• Your current system is still under manufacturer’s warranty. But a manufacturer’s warranty may be as little as only a few years, and may only cover what the manufacturer considers the remaining life of the unit.

• Poor home weatherization, leaky duct work and/or lack of insulation. These factors should be addressed before installing a new air conditioning system.

• The number one reason people do not replace their air conditioners is because they believe they cannot afford it. House Pro has same as cash financing and other options available to make a new system attainable and affordable.

 Call Houston AC Repair - Houston Energy Audit @ (713) 364-8960