Should I Repair or Replace My Home A/C System?

Deciding whether to repair or replace a central air conditioner is a question that all homeowners will eventually face if they keep their home long enough. But the choice between the two options isn’t always black and white.

Here are three factors to consider when it comes time to make the call on a short-term fix or a long-term cooling upgrade:

  1. Age. Once a cooling system reaches its tenth birthday, replacing rather than repairing it becomes increasingly sensible – especially if the repair you’re faced with is substantial. Your cooling equipment has probably lost a step or two (or three) over the years due to normal wear and tear, and today’s A/C systems are more efficient than their predecessors, too.
    If you’re having problems with an air conditioner that’s less than 10 years old, you will have a tougher decision – talk with us to discuss your options (here’s a rule of thumb: if a repair costs 50 percent or more of the replacement cost, it’s generally worth the upgrade).
  2. Maintenance history. A home cooling system can have a longer lifespan if it has been properly installed and maintained (a key reason why we talk so often on this blog about the importance of routine service for all your home comfort equipment). Just remember: while proper maintenance may help you delay replacing your system for a few years longer, no amount of maintenance will make your equipment more efficient than it was when you bought it – another reason why an upgrade to a high efficiency cooling system could well pay in the long run.
  3. Replacement cost. The up-front purchase and installation cost of an air conditioner will often scare some people away from an upgrade, driving them to a short-term repair to keep their Maryland home “cool enough” for the summer ahead. But one factor that can tip the scales in favor of a cooling upgrade is incentives – whether they are from installers, manufacturers, or government efficiency programs. A quality A/C contractor will be up-to-date on all the potential ways to save on your new central air conditioner so you can benefit now and in the long term.

Unsure whether to repair or replace the air conditioner in your Maryland home? We can help. Contact Carroll Home Services today for a FREE, no obligation consultation from our cooling system pros.

For everything you need in home heating, trust the pros at Carroll Home Services – keeping Maryland homes warm for more than a century! Contact us to get started today!