We have all heard the horror stories. It's the middle of summer, and your AC is out. The technician that arrives acts as more of a salesman than a repair man and tries to convince you that your 10 year old system needs to be replaced. Do you trust this technicians advice or do you try to have the system repaired? What reasons might you need to have your system replaced?
A lot of factors go into considering an air conditioning system replacement. Let's start by considering the age of the unit. Most systems, when properly installed and maintained, should last around 15 years. By year 10 though, you are starting to approach EOL (end of life) service. Under most circumstances, at 10+ years old, major repairs are typically not advised. This is because we as contractors cannot guarantee that our repair is going to last. At that age, any other major component can fail costing you as the home owner more than a system replacement would have in the first place.
Another reason we may consider replacement is for energy savings. Updating your HVAC system from an older 10-13 SEER to a new 16 or even 20 SEER can save you hundreds of dollars a year on power consumption. Converting from a 10 SEER to a 20 SEER on average, saves of $2100 over the course of 5 years in Alabama. Your new high efficiency system will pay for itself over time.
The third reason a contractor may recommend system replacement is due to safety concerns. For example, a cracked heat exchanger that is no longer covered under warranty would cause us to recommend replacement. A cracked heat exchanger that is not repaired or replaced can cause harmful carbon monoxide buildup in your home which in turn can have deadly consequences.
In conclusion, Down Home Heating and Air is proud to not take advantage of our customers. We believe that every customer should be treated as though they were our grandmother calling for help. We will never recommend unnecessary unit replacement. If our technicians do recommend replacement, we will explain why it would be in your best interest, and how it will benefit your home.
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