Homeowners are faced with rising costs everywhere they look these days. With rising temperatures in the forecast and rising costs on energy bills many homeowners are faced with a dilema. Spend money repairing an old AC or replace it before the season starts. On one hand, operating an outdated and inefficient AC unit will cost you money every month and more if it breaks down and an emergency repair is necessary. On the other hand, buying a new AC is a lot of money upfront.
So, what’s the right choice? Our team of AC specialists install, replace, and repair the mechanics in AC units all around Las Vegas. After dealing with this dilemma for decades and with thousands of homeowners we can shed some light on this to help you make a more informed decision.
Maintenance & Repair
At No Sweat AC Las Vegas we offer a seasonal maintenance service and perform routine maintenance on systems of all ages as part of our Cool Club. It goes without saying that servicing a mechanical system like your air conditioner will extend it’s life and reduce costs over the lifespan of your system. If a repair is necessary it is important to consider the entire system, and not just the components that need to be repaired or parts that need to be replaced.
Homeowners often want a definitive answer to how long their system will last. Unfortunately it is just not that simple. Air conditioning systems are complex mechanical devices comprised of many parts that may not have been properly maintained. Therefore, technician answers are based on their experience and best guesses from similar experiences from similar systems. It is our goal to be honest, providing you with reasonable expectations and a chance to make the decision that’s right for you on the most accurate, available facts.
Older AC systems may only need a small repair or a single part replaced. However, the entire system should be looked at as a whole. If parts look worn this should be considered as they will likely need repair or replacement in the near future. This is when the quality of the system and maintenance history become the biggest factors in understanding whether it is worth a repair or if a replacement is inevitable.
Air Conditioning Replacement
In Las Vegas our unusually harsh and long summer season means an equally challenging situation for your air conditioning performance. While AC systems are designed to tolerate extreme environmental conditions, some key indicators can warn you that time to replace your system is quickly approaching.
Your Home Doesn’t Stay Cool
Having to run your AC longer or more frequently to keep your internal temperature comfortable may indicate that your system is coming to the end of its life or isn’t large enough for your home. In Las Vegas it can be that exposure to the environment has taken it’s toll and that a new system is inevitable. Having a professional AC contractor troubleshoot your problem will give you a definitive answer.
Aging AC Unit Needing Repairs
Age is the biggest factor in determining whether your residential air conditioning unit is worth repairing or if a replacement is needed. Air conditioning units often last between 10 to 15 years in Las Vegas. If a unit is 8 years old, hasn’t received regular maintenance and in need of its first repair this is much different than a 12 year old unit that has been repaired multiple times with irregular maintenance.
Excessive Energy Use
Advancements in technology coupled with energy efficiency requirements have resulted in producing AC systems that use less energy than ever. As an AC system ages this efficiency declines and begins using more energy to generate the same results. As a system begins to fail it uses more an more energy. Excessive energy use can come from worn or failing parts. Spikes in energy usage combined with increasing energy unit costs can make a strong argument for upgrading an air conditioner before the season causes an emergency situation.
Repair Versus Replacement
Considering the cost of repair compared to replacement of a residential air conditioning system boils down to a variety of factors. Once you weigh the variables and consult with a licensed AC contractor the single factor you should ask yourself about is simple. Is the cost better to absorb at a single time when it can be scheduled or over time when it can cause emergency situations and inconveniences? Small savings are often not worth the inconvenience they cost or are absorbed by the cost of emergency repairs.
Our team are well versed at laying out reasonable expectations and offering mechanical repairs beyond what other AC technicians in Las Vegas can offer. Let us provide you with your routine maintenance and honest estimate before you make a final decision on whether to replace your AC system.
