Installing a new indoor unit without replacing the outdoor unit (or vice versa) will prove inefficient. A non-compatible air conditioning system can affect efficiency by more than 30% and subject the entire air conditioning unit to unnecessary strain. However, if you have an old system that, for example, uses freon R-22 versus. R410a Puron, the new refrigerant, is a different situation.
So, you're practically forced to replace at least the condensing unit and evaporator coil in the attic to turn them into the new refrigerant. This way, you don't run the risk of the new coolant being contaminated with the old one. If you have a system that is more than 10 years old and your condenser or compressor fails outside, you're facing an expensive replacement. This may be a good opportunity to consider replacing the entire system and moving on to something with a higher level of comfort and greater efficiency.
Replacing a compressor in an air conditioning system can be quite expensive; it's one of the most expensive repairs in the industry. This is precisely why we are asked this question so often, it is a sensible question. Often, it's best to get rid of the old unit and replace the entire air conditioning system completely. In fact, it would be better for you to separate that car or sell it to someone who can work on it and reduce your losses.
Take everything you earn with it and put it into the down payment for another car. That's the most likely choice most people would make, and it would be the right one. Now, on the other hand, what if the situation is the same but the car is only a couple of years old and is still under warranty? It would be a no-brainer to fix the car under warranty, even if there's a small deductible. The situation is much like that when you consider the air conditioning service in the outdoor unit of your system.
If the system works well, otherwise it is not very old (less than 8 years old) and everything else is in good condition, repair it. Choosing between air conditioning service to replace the outdoor unit or to replace the system completely depends on a few key factors. Most air conditioners worth their retail price have an average lifespan of between 10 and 15 years, with adequate regular maintenance of 26%. If you have a unit that is nearing the end of its life and the compressor shuts off, it's best to replace the entire unit.
Why do we recommend it? Because when a unit reaches that age, the chances of suffering a mechanical failure skyrocket. Of course, you could save some money today by simply replacing the faulty component. However, what happens if a few months later another piece breaks down?. The pattern continues until, finally, you end up needing a new unit anyway.
All the money you spent on keeping the old one on life support was in vain. However, there is one exception to this rule and that involves the following factor:. So your system is approaching the 10-year mark and the compressor has shut down. Does that mean you're automatically going to buy a new unit? Let's hit the brakes for a moment.
Even if your unit is almost 10 years old, it may still be under warranty. If the warranty is still active, even if only for a few days, that part of the compressor is covered. However, labor is usually not covered with such an old unit, so you would be responsible for it. However, the cost of labor pales in comparison to the cost of the compressor itself.
So if this is your situation, congratulations, your compressor failed just in time, and for now, it will save you some money. You don't want to be in that situation where it expires the day after the warranty expires. Most of our customers often don't even think about it, instead focusing on the problem at hand. However, in some cases, they may want to see if their current unit is working for them.
When the compressor or condenser fails and you request air conditioning service, consider your comfort level. Are you happy with the air conditioning system you originally purchased? Often, homeowners buy an economical system that is the bare minimum for heating and cooling their home. Usually, those systems are very inefficient, especially 2 or 3 generations later. Systems improve, become more efficient and innovative.
We've covered a lot of information here and we know that it can sometimes be confusing. That's why at Airteam we do everything we can to inform our customers. We want you to have the knowledge you need to make an informed decision, not just trust our words. After all, if you decide based on the information you have on your own, you'll be happier.
By replacing both units, you ensure that your entire HVAC system is up to date. While this may seem like an unnecessary expense, there are good reasons why it's best to replace both units of your HVAC system at the same time, even if one is still working quite well. So, when it's time to upgrade your HVAC system, remember that true efficiency, reliability, and comfort are achieved when indoor and outdoor units are replaced together. Instead of replacing them separately and having to pay the installation costs twice, it would be better to replace them both at the same time.
In addition to the four main reasons mentioned above, replacing indoor and outdoor HVAC units has other advantages. The best HVAC company can attest to the fact that, over the past 20 years, we've seen manufacturers produce better indoor and outdoor residential HVAC units. Still, there's something to be said for when replacing a very old unit, when choosing to replace the entire system. When it comes to your HVAC system, the answer to whether you should replace indoor and outdoor units is most likely a resounding yes.
By replacing the indoor and outdoor units of your HVAC system, you ensure the efficient operation of the entire system, helping to keep your home and family comfortable and healthy. .
