With air conditioning repair, St. Petersburg FL can’t afford to take chances. Our hot, muggy summers are unbearable without a reliable AC system to make your house comfortable. With proper maintenance and repairs, an AC unit can last a good long time. Sooner or later, however, every appliance breaks down, and you will eventually need to consider buying and installing a new unit instead of fixing up the old one. When is air conditioning repair in St. Petersburg FL no longer worth it? The answer can vary, but usually boils down to a few key factors.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you should think about replacing your unit if it is more than 10 years old. That’s not a hard, fast rule – your unit may be able to last much longer – but if you add it to other conditions, it can help you determine than replacement is a better option than repair.
Along those lines, an AC unit with a low SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating is likely due for a replacement. The SEER rating measures a unit’s overall efficiency: the higher the rating, the more efficient the unit is. New air conditioning units must have a SEER rating of 13 or higher. Older units could have a rating as low as 5 or 6.
In more practical terms, it makes sense to balance the money you’re investing in repairs and bills with the money you’ll save with a new unit. Those high SEER ratings mean lower monthly electric bills and a new unit can also give you energy-saving options like a variable speed fan and two-stage compressor. If you’re paying for repairs too often for comfort, and the returns just aren’t appearing in your monthly bills, a new AC unit may be the best option.
If you’re still asking “When is air conditioning repair in St. Petersburg FL no longer worth it?” it pays to speak with the experts at Forest Air. We can discuss your options with you and plan for the installation of a new unit that meets your needs. When it comes to air conditioning repair, St. Petersburg FL doesn’t leave much room for error. We can make sure the heat and humidity don’t make your home uncomfortable, whether it’s fixing your old air conditioner or replacing it with a new one.