Repair or Replacement? Knowing What's Best For Your Air Conditioner
Posted on: 30 May 2014
During the summer months, Seattle can become uncomfortably hot. Research from the University of Washington has shown that over the last 30 years, nighttime heat waves have been increasing. As a result, it's not only important for residents of Seattle to own an air conditioner, but they should also keep it properly maintained to stay cool.
At some point, your air conditioner will stop functioning at its peak performance or even break down, leaving you with the decision about whether to replace or repair your unit. Making this decision can depend on your specific financial and situational needs, as well as the overall condition of your air conditioner.
Ultimately, you should contact a specialist for air conditioning repair. This specialist can help fix your air conditioner and give the advice you need for an informed decision.
Making A Repair
Unfortunately, it is difficult to make repairs to air conditioners without specialist's help. The evaporater unit and compressor part are both sealed on central air conditioners and window units, making it very difficult to attempt repairs on your own.
Although you can perform simple cleaning of your system by removing dirt from your filter or coils, usually a professional is needed. You should think about cleaning your filter and coils before the beginning of each spring, and sometimes use a vacuum to suck out dust and dirt from hard to reach places within your unit.
It will often be much cheaper to repair a unit than replacing the entire thing, which is where an air conditioning repair specialist can save you a significant amount of money.
You should call a reputable company that can explain each issue with your air conditioner and what steps they can take to make a repair. Usually they can give you a quote on repairs or advise you on which parts you need to replace, and how much that will cost.
When To Consider A Replacement
Sometimes it's not worth repairing your air conditioner, but rather you should simply replace it all together. When determining whether to replace your unit, the first thing you should consider is its age.
For air conditioners purchased in 1992 or an earlier date, you should probably replace the air conditioner regardless of whether it's broken or not. The reason is that older air conditioners usually have a Seasonal Energy Efficient Rating (SEER) of eight or less depending on the model. This reduced rating means your air conditioner is less energy efficient and will end up costing you more on electricity bills
By purchasing a newer model with a better SEER rating, you can see reductions between 30 and 50 percent on your energy bill. The minimum SEER rating for newer models is 13, but even better ratings can mean higher savings.
The ENERGY STAR logo is usually a sign that the air conditioning unit meets all standards for energy efficiency and environmentally-friendly coolant methods.
If your compressor is damaged, you might also want to consider replacing your system, as this a key part of your system. However, speak with a professional air conditioner repair specialist, as they can inform you what the cheaper option is: replacement or repair.
Make An Informed Decision
Ultimately, knowing when to replace or repair can help you save a lot of money. Remember, a properly maintained air conditioner can last for many years, while an even newer air conditioner that is not cleaned regularly or misused can lead to early breakdowns.
Having a specialist check your central air conditioner every year or two can also lead to less future repairs. You certainly don't want to spend a Seattle summer baking in your home or office without a properly functioning air conditioner. Knowing the facts on air conditioner repair and replacement will help you keep cool all summer long.
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