You are like a deer in headlights. Your air conditioner has been having issues, and after hiring an AC repair services provider, he advised you to either repair or replace the air conditioner. Where should you go? Should I repair or replace my air conditioner? You ask.

To help you make the right decision, here are 5 questions you should ask yourself:

How old is your air conditioner

According to the Department of energy, an air conditioner in the United States should have a lifespan of 15-20 years. If you live in warmer climates where you use the appliance almost daily, the life expectancy will be lower. If you have had your unit for a long time, don’t bother repairing it as you will be pouring money down the drain. Instead, replace it with a newer, modern version.

How much money have you spent on repairs?

It’s recommended you keep a record of the amount of money you pay an AC technician when you hire their services. If your appliance is more than 10 years and you have spent close to 50% the value of the unit, it’s time to start thinking about replacing it.

You also should consider the frequency you need to repair the unit. How many times do you call an emergency AC repair technician in a month? If you have the technicians number on speed dial, it would be cheaper to invest in a new system rather than continue wasting money on an old appliance.

How efficient is the air conditioner?

You can tell how efficient your appliance is by looking at the SEER rating. An appliance of a higher rating will be more efficient to run.

Since 2015, all of the air conditioners installed in the United States have an efficiency rating of at least 14 SEER with most of the modern appliances having efficiency ratings ranging from 14-25 SEER.

If your appliance has a low rating and keeps grinding to a halt, you should get a new one. AC technicians have shown that upgrading your 15-year-old 12-SEER unit to a 16 SEER will save you up to 25% of your heating costs per year.

The operating efficiency of air conditioners declines with age, so if you had bought a 12 SEER air conditioner, in 15 years, it would be operating like a 10-SEER appliance.

When getting a new unit, get one with a high SEER rating. Although, it will be expensive to purchase, it will save you a lot of money in the long run.

Do you take good care of your current appliance?

How well you maintain your appliance affects the amount of money you spend cooling the house, the comfort levels in the house, and the life expectancy of the appliance. If you take good care of your appliance, it tends to maintain its good shape for long, so you don’t have to replace it too often.

You can say you have been taking good care of your appliance if:

• You have been replacing the air filters every 1-3 months.
• You have been keeping the outdoor unit free of plant growth and debris.
• You have been hiring a local HVAC company to inspect your appliance and tune it up.

If you haven’t been neglecting your appliance, the problems you are experiencing are a result of this, and you are better off simply getting a new air conditioner. When you get the new appliance, take good care of it, so it not only functions more efficiently, but it also lasts for a long time.

Is your air conditioner still running on Freon?

Freon is a refrigerant you will find in most old appliances. If your unit is still running on this refrigerant, you should get a new one as the refrigerant is quickly being phased out. So in the event, your appliance develops a refrigerant leak, you will have a problem finding Freon in the stores, and when you find it, you will have to pay a premium for it.

Getting a new air conditioner will keep your costs low, so you save money cooling your house

Air conditioner repair services Port Jefferson providers recommend you get an air conditioner running on Puron or R410A. This refrigerant is more environmentally friendly and easy to find in the event of a leak.