Sadly, many things are not designed to last forever. One of these is certainly your air conditioner. Air conditioners have a set life span which you can either prolong a bit or drastically decrease depending on how you treat it. After a certain point, it’s probably best to invest in a new air conditioner altogether. However, when should you make that decision? There are a number of ways to make this determination. Below are a few factors to consider.
Your Air Conditioner Is 15 to 20 Years Old
Unfortunately, air conditioners are not built like stone temples. The mechanical components of an air conditioner can only really be expected to last so long. In general, you can expect a modern air conditioner to last 15 to 20 years. Models of lesser quality may last less than that. In general, you should start planning to replace your air conditioner after the 15-year mark. While it may last a few years longer than that, you have no strong guarantee it won’t suddenly break down for good.
Your Utility Bills Are Going Up
One thing about older air conditioners is they tend to lose their efficiency over time. When this happens, they have to work much harder to maintain the same temperature they could produce in the past with less effort. In turn, this will mean higher utility bills while you are running your air conditioner in the summer. If you notice a strong spike in your electricity bill, try to eliminate other possible sources first. If you are left with your air conditioner as a cause, it’s probably a good time to replace it.
Your Air Conditioner Keeps Breaking Down
One thing you should know about air conditioning is that air conditioners can be like automobiles. After a certain point, the cost of repairs and maintenance may exceed the depreciated value of the air conditioner. While it may be fine to have your air conditioner repaired once, you should rethink things if you keep having to have it repaired over and over again. After a certain point, that extra repair bill should be avoided in favor of the installation of a new model entirely.
At some point, your air conditioner will need to be replaced. Keep in mind that most air conditioners are only designed to last 15 to 20 years. Pay attention to your utility bills. A struggling old air conditioner could be at fault for higher electricity bills. Also keep in mind that eventually, the cost of repairing your air conditioner will exceed what it’s worth. At some point, you should invest in a new air conditioner.
