Repair or replace? That’s a great question, Lyn, and one we frequently get at PenAir. You must be mindful of a few things before making your final decision. It depends, but having said that, here’s what we usually recommend.
It’s not always easy to answer whether a homeowner should repair or replace an air conditioner, especially in 2024, when inflation and living expenses play an essential role in the calculation. If you find yourself battling this tough decision, you may think the most practical strategy is to weigh the cost of repairing your system against the cost of buying a new one. Unfortunately, it’s a bit more complicated than that.
One thing you need to be mindful of—especially with older, faulty units—is that it can be challenging to estimate the final cost of the repair. We sometimes find that you’ll replace a part only to find another part is faulty, which becomes a continual elimination process.
For example, we commonly see geckos crawling inside external units, getting caught up in the electricals, which can cause circuit boards to burn out. Replacing a printed circuit board is a no-brainer, but there’s no telling if the short caused other damage that wasn’t apparent because the system was no longer running. In other words, we can’t test the system for further faults until the new circuit board is installed. We can provide a quote based on the initial evidence, but there’s no telling what the final bill will be until we begin working on the unit.
The type of system you have installed may also sway your decision. Ducted systems, for example, are more expensive to repair because they are more complex, and spare parts can be costly.
Another consideration is your warranty. If you’re unlucky and your system has broken just outside of your warranty, then it’s worth looking at repairing it. It may merely require a new part, and it will keep going for years.
Remember to store your warranty information somewhere safe when you install a new system. If we examine your system and can contact the manufacturer with your unit’s serial number, you can usually replace the part at no cost. If your system is way out of warranty, it’s worth weighing up your options. Just remember that spare parts can become obsolete or expensive as the system ages.
There’s a misconception that new systems are cheaper than they were in the past. The systems haven’t increased in price much, but labour costs have. Therefore, a new air conditioning system hasn’t been cheaper over time.
One situation where we’re reasonably confident that a replacement is a better option is when an outdoor unit is rusted up. The fan coil on an outdoor unit needs to be in good condition to transfer energy effectively. When they become corroded, they become brittle and flaky, which is a clear sign that they cannot do any effective heat transfer.
It’s not always about the price of a new system that’s important; what about the cost to the environment? Old systems work on R22 gas, which is known to deplete ozone. The government discourages putting replacement gas in these systems due to its effect on the environment. One of the ways they are doing this is to tax R22 gas heavily, which, of course, makes it an expensive exercise. So you’re better off investing in a new ozone-friendly gas system.
The bottom line is that answering this question over the phone is often difficult. We will always need to inspect your system and give you a ballpark figure to repair it. As mentioned, further unexpected repair costs could be added to your bill.
If you decide to proceed with a new installation, it also makes sense to check the manufacturer’s warranty and how easy it is to obtain spare parts. Manufacturers are only legally required to supply spare parts while a model is still under warranty. However, some will continue to stock them for many more years. This minor detail could save you money in the future, as you still have the option to repair rather than replace it.
If your air conditioning unit is faulty, close to being out of warranty, or unsure, why not call us? We’ll arrange a time to come out, inspect it, and provide you with the most cost-effective advice. Get in touch today; we’re looking forward to hearing from you.
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