Uh oh. You have cranked up your ducted air conditioner on a hot day and it can only muster a pathetic cough of warm air. For newer units, the problem may be a simple fix but for older systems, it may be time to call in your technician. However, before picking up the phone for repairs, you may find replacing your existing system with a new unit to be more economical in both the short and long term.
At first a newer unit could appear out of your budget. Read about the aspects to consider when deciding whether to repair or replace your ducted air conditioner:
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
When running as it should, is your unit efficient? Older systems can be a bigger drain on your electricity bills as they are using older, less energy efficient technology. Look at past electricity bills and consider whether a new unit will save you more in the long term.
Ongoing Maintenance Costs
After receiving quotes on maintenance, also investigate how much it is for a new system. If repairs are carried out, will it fix the problem permanently, or is there a high risk of the system breaking down again in the future? As your system ages, it can also be more difficult to find replacement parts, resulting in more costly repairs each time. In addition, once repairs are done, consider whether your system is running at peak performance, or is a drain on your electricity and budget.
Age
One of the biggest factors to consider when looking at repairs or replacement is the age of the system. Depending on the type of unit and its care and usage, your ducted air conditioner should last up to 20 years. After that time, parts become susceptible to age, wear and tear, reducing its reliability.
An older system may simply stop working, without prior warning of problems, making it difficult to identify the issue and whether it needs repairs or replacement. A newer system may display a fault code, giving you an indication of the problem and making diagnosis quicker.
Type of System
Is your system continuing to serve its purpose well? If you have renovated or added on rooms, does your old system have the capacity to cool a larger home? A growing family may need air conditioning to more bedrooms. Alternatively, you may find your old evaporative unit does not serve you well and you would prefer a refrigerative reverse cycle system.
Need Help Deciding?
Ambience Air is available to assist and provide advice to you about the right air conditioning unit for your home. Visit one of our stores and speak with your friendly, local team so you can keep cool this summer.
