Repair or Replace?

It may not be as eternal a question as Shakespeare’s “To Be or Not to Be”, but it’s a question every homeowner will likely face at some point.

Generally, when you’re having repeated issues with your home air conditioning system, it’s probably time to start thinking about replacement. Or, it could be a sign you need a different HVAC contractor…

Major component failure such as the coil or compressor after the warranty has expired? You’re going to want to replace the whole unit once you figure in the cost of a major component part plus the cost of labor to disassemble and install. The cost of a brand new coil is around $1,300 - $1,500 with labor you’re approaching $3,000. Then there’s the somewhat hidden cost of how much it’s costing you in electricity bills to run that older unit.

Every year, the HVAC industry introduces new AC units with innovative features and greatly improved energy efficiency. Even if your air conditioner is only 10 years old, you may save 20% to 40% of your cooling costs by replacing it with a newer, more efficient model! With rising fossil fuel prices and the soaring heat of St. Simons summers, it will be worth it all things considered.

In the same vein, another big factor is the age of your system. Is it under warranty? Has it been properly maintained? Or did it just come with that gorgeous house on the marsh and you don’t really know how it’s previous owners treated it. Typically, a new unit comes with a 10-year warranty, if you register it. But, a replacement part only comes with a 1-year warranty.

Think of it like you’d consider repairing or buying a new car. If it’s an older model, say a 2011, that’s got a lot of mileage past its warranty, it won’t have the new, cool and useful innovations that have come out since it was manufactured, like a backup camera, for instance. Maybe it’s always in the shop and now the transmission’s done for or the electrical system has a mind of its own, do you really want to put that much money into a car of that age with so much mileage? You could get a newer model with improved 2023 features like Blind Spot Warning that alerts you to the presence of a car next to you when you’re thinking of making a lane change. You could buy a hybrid and save a good deal of money on gas every month.

Well, you could get a new air conditioner with a smart thermostat or one that has an app that lets you change the temperature of your house from anywhere you have wifi. Several modern units have a dehumidifier built in that helps reduce energy waste and improves your Indoor Air Quality and thus your health. An air conditioner with it’s own dehumidifier will come in handy down here in Brunswick, GA for sure!

To understand energy efficiency of a particular new unit, the US Department of Energy has established the SEER rating system. The Seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER):  Ratio of the cooling output divided by the power consumption. It is the Btu of cooling output during its normal annual usage divided by the total electric energy input in watt hours during the same period. This is a measure of the cooling performance for rating central air conditioners and central heat pumps. To put it simply: the less energy used by the unit to produce the proper amount of cooling, the higher the SEER rating.

The SEER rating minimums are determined by region. Georgia being in the Southeast where it’s hot and humid (Hello Jekyll Island, Sea Island, St. Simons!) a big share of our energy consumption goes toward cooling for our generally hotter temperatures and longer periods of warm weather.

For Georgia, the minimum SEER rating is 15. The new rating system, SEER2 , came into effect January 1, 2023. The estimated yearly energy savings associated with an air conditioner that meets the new minimum SEER2 rating of 15 in 2023 is 32%. By adhering to the DOE’s minimum SEER2 rating of 15 in 2023, homeowners can be assured that their air conditioning system is efficient and up to date with the latest energy efficiency standards. In addition to saving money on energy bills, the new higher SEER2 ratings will reduce your carbon footprint. And, that’s better for our shared planet!

Though, it’s not all about SEER. There are other additional features available from some manufacturers that can increase energy efficiency. These can include zone control capabilities, temperature sensors, or programmable thermostats with remote access options. Taking advantage of these features can help further reduce energy costs by allowing users more fine-tuned control over their cooling times and settings.