To Repair or not to Repair

Should you fix an ailing A/C unit?

Hot days and a cool economy mean more people consider repairing rather than replacing broken air conditioners.

"With current economic conditions, people are afraid to pay for a replacement when it seems less expensive to repair," says Richard Henderson, president of M.B. Kiser Heating and Air Conditioning in Dallas.

The $5,000 to $15,000 cost of replacing a central air-conditioning system is enough to make homeowners sweat, yet not many are happy with the idea of continually repairing a unit that does not do a good job of cooling.

How does a homeowner know when it is smarter to replace the A/C?

The age of the unit is the first thing to consider in the repair-or-replace debate. Air conditioners start to wear out after about 10 years. That's the lifespan for efficiency recommended by the federal government's Energy Star program.

Yet units may stay in good working order for a few years longer, even in sweltering North Texas where Mr. Henderson estimates A/C units are pressed into service for about 1,750 to 2,000 hours during warm seasons that last from April to October.


Making repairs

The system is bound to fail eventually, and frequent repairs are one sign that replacement is a better option.

"If it costs $200 to repair a 20-year-old unit, you may want to think twice about putting $200 into it over and over," Mr. Henderson says.

Also, consider the type of repairs. Replacing major components is costly, and the piecemeal addition of those crucial parts can cause the whole system to operate less efficiently. Adding a condenser, for instance, can cost $3,000 to $6,000.

New technology and standards also make replacement attractive.

Replacing an ailing unit that uses an old style of refrigerant is likely to be a smarter choice than repairing it, notes Colin Creel, service manager of the Air Comfort Company in Richardson.

Under the U.S. Clean Air Act, an official phase-out of a common air-conditioner refrigerant known as R-22 begins in 2010. R-22 has been in use in home systems for about 40 years, and it is associated with greenhouse gases that can cause global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency predicts the cost of the refrigerant will climb as it gradually disappears from the market.

Newer units also run more efficiently. An air conditioner's ability to cool is measured by what's known as seasonal energy efficiency ratings (SEER). The higher the SEER number, the more efficient the unit. If a unit with a SEER rating of 8 is replaced with one with a 15 SEER rating, a homeowner can reduce energy costs by almost half, estimates Bill Cunningham, a specialist with Lennox.


Payback time

The savings offered by newer units can be substantial if the homeowner is planning to stay in the house long enough to recover the costs of replacing the system.

"If you are going to stay in the house less than five years, it is going to be difficult to pay for A/C replacement," says Mr. Henderson of M.B. Kiser.

A new, high-efficiency system may give the home an edge in a slow housing market, but the cost of the unit might not be recovered during a sale, he says.

Smart homeowners have regular, annual inspections of their cooling system, Mr. Creel of Air Comfort says. "The system needs maintenance. It's like a car."

Inspectors can find the minor problems that shorten the life of the system and detect faulty ductwork, lack of insulation or an improperly sized unit, all of which can lead to an uncomfortable home.


Jessie Milligan is a Fort Worth freelance writer.

When to replace the A/C

• If the air inside is cool but the humidity is high, the unit may be oversize for the job. (Leaky ductwork also can lead to high humidity, so have the repairman look at the ducts first.)


• If the air conditioner runs constantly but doesn't adequately cool the air, there could be several causes. The unit may be undersize for the area you're trying to cool or, depending on the age of the equipment, parts could be failing.

• If repairs are frequent.


• If a major component such as the outside condenser box is failing and the warranty has expired.


• If the unit is more than 10 years old, especially if it uses the old form of refrigerant known as R-22.


SOURCES: Energy Star, M.B. Kiser, the Air Comfort Company, Lennox

Guide to shopping for window units

The new generation of window-unit air conditioners comes with lower prices and high efficiency, making them good choices for cooling one or two rooms, according to recent ratings in Consumer Reports.


1. Expect to pay $100 to $700, although good units can be had for $150 to $240.


2. Pay attention to British Thermal Units or Btu. Choose units that use:

• 5,000 to 6,000 Btu per hour for rooms of 100 to 300 square feet.

• 7,000 to 8,200 Btu per hour for 250 to 550 square feet.

• 9,800 to 12,500 Btu for rooms of 350 to 950 square feet.


3. Pick a model that allows you to control the direction of airflow. The window it is placed in may be off to one side of the room. You want to be able to direct the airflow to the area of the room in use.


4. Look for certification stickers. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) monitor energy efficiency ratings.

Here are room units that Consumer Reports