When your AC isn’t keeping you cool, it’s hard to know if it simply needs a repair or it’s time to get a new one. You might be hoping for a quick fix, but sometimes patching up an old system costs more in the long run. At Arce Heating & AC in Fort Mill, SC, we help homeowners make smarter decisions about their comfort, including knowing when to hold on and when to move on.
Look at How Old Your AC Is
Your air conditioner won’t last forever, no matter how well you take care of it. Most systems run strong for about 10 to 15 years. After that, they start having more problems. If your AC is past that age range, there’s a good chance repairs might just be a short-term fix. You could keep putting money into it, but the problems may return.
Even if it still turns on and runs, an old AC might not cool your home as well as it should. It might have to run longer to bring the temperature down, which means higher energy bills. Some parts also get harder to find when systems age. If your unit still uses R-22 refrigerant, which is now out of production, fixing leaks is much more expensive. A repair could make more sense if your system is less than 10 years old and this is its first issue. But if it’s older and has been repaired once or twice already, that’s usually a sign it’s nearing the end.
Pay Attention to How Often it Breaks
One repair might not be a big deal. But if your AC has been breaking down a lot lately, that’s something to pay attention to. Maybe it’s the third summer in a row when you’ve had to call someone out. Or perhaps you’ve replaced one part, only for another to break a few months later. If this keeps happening, your system might be wearing out across the board.
Sometimes, parts in older AC units start to fail one after another. You fix the fan, and then the capacitor goes out. You replace that, and suddenly you’ve got a refrigerant leak. Each of those repairs might seem justified on its own, but they add up. If you’re spending money every year to fix something different, it’s worth asking if that money would be better spent on a new unit instead.
A newer system is less likely to surprise you with problems. Malfunctions happen, of course, but you shouldn’t be calling someone out all the time. If you’ve got repair bills stacking up and you’re tired of wondering what will go wrong next, that’s a clear sign to look at replacement options. It might cost more now, but it can save you money and trouble down the road.
Think About How Well It’s Cooling
When your AC runs, your home should actually feel cool. If you keep turning the thermostat down but your house still feels warm and stuffy, something isn’t working right. Maybe one room stays hot no matter what, or perhaps the whole house never feels as cool as you want.
Sometimes this means there’s a problem with the ductwork or insulation. But if your home used to cool just fine and now it doesn’t, your AC might not be working as well anymore. It could be having a hard time moving air or getting rid of the heat. That can happen as parts begin to wear out, even if they haven’t fully broken.
You might also notice that the air feels damp. Air conditioners don’t just cool the air—they also pull moisture from it. If the system can’t do this well anymore, your house can feel sticky and humid. That also makes the air feel warmer than it really is. If your AC just isn’t keeping up as it used to, even after a tune-up, a new unit could be a smarter fix than another repair.
Compare the Cost of the Repair to a Replacement
Not all repairs are equal. Some are quick and affordable. Others, like a broken compressor or a refrigerant leak, can get expensive fast. Before you agree to a big repair, it helps to compare the expense to what a new system might cost.
A good rule of thumb is this: if the repair costs more than half the price of a new system, AC replacement usually makes more sense. You could spend that money fixing something major, but if another part fails next season, you’re right back where you started. Plus, that new system will likely be more energy efficient, which will help you save on your bills.
Let’s Talk About Your HVAC Options
You don’t have to guess your way through a big HVAC decision. If you’re not sure where your system stands, schedule a quick inspection with us at Arce Heating & AC and get a clear answer. We offer a complete range of HVAC installation, AC repair, and maintenance services, so call us today.
