Should I Invest in a Home AC Repair or a Full System Replacement?

When is it time to invest in a brand new home air conditioning system, as opposed to a one-off home AC repair?

During summertime, air conditioning repair callouts are altogether common. This is thanks to the fact that many AC systems work 24/7 to keep properties cool. However, the high summer heat can also result in high-stress when things go wrong.

When is a Home AC Repair Your Best Option?

As a rule, an air conditioning unit can last for 15 to 20-years before it units start to show signs of failure. When AC systems do start to fail, it is therefore important to ask yourself a few basic questions:

• How old is your current air conditioning system?
• Have you kept up with regular HVAC system maintenance?
• How energy efficient is your current AC system?

Performing regular maintenance is by far the easiest way to avoid AC system breakdowns. However, maintenance can often slip our minds right up until the point when problems start to manifest.

Offset Home AC Repair Costs with Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Is your air conditioning system refusing to turn on? Alternatively, is cool airflow noticeably diminished? If so, before searching Yelp for local AC repair services, make sure to check for things like blown fuses, coolant leaks, duct blockages, and dirty air filters.

In many cases, AC systems fail due to dirty air filters and duct blockages causing AC units to overheat. It is also important to remember that leaving doors and windows open can force AC systems to work harder. This can result in overheating and tripped fuses.

• When AC units fail, always check drainage lines and pan overflows for signs of backed up water.
• If you do see water collecting, attempt to unclog condensation drain tubes.
• Always check air filters and AC system fins for signs of built-up dirt and debris.
• If an AC system seems noisy, check (where possible) for dirt around fans, as well as worn fan belts and motors.

When is it Time to Call an Air Conditioning Repair Expert?

Remembering to keep on top of regular AC maintenance can reduce the AC breakdowns and add years to the life expectancy of an AC unit. However, if replacing air filters or removing condensation line blockages doesn’t fix AC problems, it will be time to call in the experts.

In many cases, AC failures in otherwise well-maintained AC systems will be the result of low refrigerant levels, thermostat glitches, and deteriorating bearings in AC fan motors.

Thankfully, replacing an AC system thermostat can cost as little as $112. AC refrigerant recharges can also cost as little as $100 to $350. This being the case, investing in a home AC repair will often make more sense than investing in a full AC system replacement.

When a Full AC System Replacement is Necessary

In most cases, thermostat replacements, duct cleaning, and refrigerant recharges can be taken care of in just a few hours. However, when an AC unit repeatedly starts to breakdown, it will be time to start thinking about a full system replacement.

When using older AC models, it is also important to remember that investing in a new system can result in long-term energy savings. This can help recoup the cost of an initial investment, and increase overall home comfort and livability.

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Planning to go ductless? If so, you are not alone. While there are certain pros and cons of ductless AC and heating systems, the pros are simple.

After a ductless AC installation, you can expect to save up to 40% on your home heating and cooling costs. The only caveat is that hot or cold air will no longer be circulated throughout your entire property.

What is Ductless Heating and Air Conditioning?

To understand how a ductless AC installation works, it is necessary to understand how regular HVAC systems work.

When cooling your home, a duct based AC system sucks in heat and moisture. Systems then vent heat energy outside, before passing incoming air through a refrigerator unit. Cool air is then is then circulated through your home ductwork using fans.

Heating a home works in much the same way. The only difference is that air entering a property is heated before entering your home ventilation ducts.

At their most basic, ductless AC and heating systems work much the same way. However, instead of forcing hot or cool air through ducts, air is distributed directly into rooms where systems are located.

What are the Pros and Cons of Ductless AC and Heating?

When it comes to the pros and cons of ductless AC and heating systems, there is only one main drawback.

By not using ducts to circulate air around your home, it is only possible to heat or cool specific home areas. However, this rarely impacts the actual livability of American households.

• In small to medium size condominiums, ductless AC and heating systems are more than capable of maintaining an even temperature throughout properties.
• As ductless (also called mini AC) systems are more affordable than regular HVAC systems, it is often economical to use two or more units to heat or cool a larger home.
• Placing the right ductless AC installation in the right home area, can result in even heating or cooling throughout most American households and small commercial properties.

When using ductless AC heating and cooling systems, property owners can also stand to significantly reduce annual operating and maintenance costs.

A Ductless AC Installation Reduces Energy Loss

When using traditional HVAC systems, forcing hot and cold air through ventilation ducts doesn’t just result in HVAC systems having to work harder. As well as this, up to 30% of all cooled and heated air is also lost before it enters circulation inside a property.

By comparison, when using a ductless AC and heating system, no hot or cool air is lost to property attics or crawl spaces. It is, therefore, possible to heat or cool homes faster and more evenly using less energy.

A Ductless AC Installation is Easy to Service and Maintain

Do you clean your home ductwork regularly? If not, you could be placing unnecessary pressure on any traditional HVAC unit that you are using.

If using a traditional HVAC unit, this is likely also housed somewhere around your property exterior. As a result, your unit is constantly at the mercy of the elements.

By comparison, when you use a ductless HVAC system, units are typically mounted on interior walls.

When mounted internally, it is not necessary to worry about blocked ducts, corrosion, or the building up of dirt and debris in AC system vents. More importantly, mini split air units are easily accessible. This reduces annual maintenance costs, and adds significant longevity to HVAC system lifespans.

Quick and Easy Installation

As well as being more energy efficient and maintenance friendly, a ductless AC installation can be installed in a home in under 24-hours. Ductless systems can also be installed without causing significant disruption to your home or business.

Because systems are ductless, systems only require a three inch hole to be drilled to connect systems to the outside. No ventilation ducts need to be installed, and no major upgrades are necessary. (This is even true when installing systems in period homes and older properties.)

A Ductless AC Installation Can Reduce the Carbon footprint of Your Home

Depending on the size of your home, a ductless AC installation can reduce your overall annual energy costs by between 30% and 40%.

Naturally, reducing energy costs results in lower monthly utility bills. However, reduced home energy consumption also helps lower the overall carbon footprint of your property.

Is it time for you to replace your home or business HVAC system? If so, the pros of ductless systems by far outweigh the cons. All you need to consider is what size of unit you need and where to place it.

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