{"id":28972,"date":"2023-03-24T02:27:55","date_gmt":"2023-03-24T02:27:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.128plumbing.com\/?p=28972"},"modified":"2023-03-24T08:20:36","modified_gmt":"2023-03-24T08:20:36","slug":"ac-repair-vs-replacement-which-is-the-best-option-for-your-wakefield-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.128plumbing.com\/blog\/ac-repair-vs-replacement-which-is-the-best-option-for-your-wakefield-home\/","title":{"rendered":"AC Repair vs Replacement &#8211; Which is the Best Option for Your Wakefield Home"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For many homeowners, the state of their air conditioning system is a key factor in their summer lifestyle. They want cool, clean air circulating in their homes during the sweltering heat of June and July, not to mention the dog days of August. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of those same homeowners face vital decisions regarding their air conditioning systems, especially if they\u2019re older and starting to fail. At first glance, the decision sounds simple: should you perform AC repair for your air conditioning system, or continue to do AC repair?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s a lot that goes into it, though, and at 128 Plumbing we have the expertise to help you make the best possible decision. With that in mind, let\u2019s consider what\u2019s involved in the decision to replace or repair your air conditioning system. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Air Conditioning Replacement: Basic Energy Star Recommendation<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To make this decision, let\u2019s start with some basic guidelines. Most experts recommend replacing your air conditioning system if it\u2019s 10-15 years old, and if it\u2019s at or approach 10 years old you should at least start to consider replacing the AC system. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s another rule of them: some HVAC pros use what\u2019s called the <strong>\u201c5,000\u201d rule<\/strong>. This boils the decision down to a set of numbers\u2014multiply the age of the system by the repair cost, and if the number you get is over $5K, it\u2019s time to replace. Less, and you should do the repairs. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Replacement Signs For Your Air Conditioning System<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For better or worse, you can\u2019t just decide to repair or replace your AC system based on a hunch or some suspicion. Here are some signs that your AC system is ready to be replaced: <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Excessive noise<\/strong>. Think squealing, grinding or grating when you start the unit, and if those noises continue, it may be time for that new AC system. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Frequent breakdowns<\/strong>. This one\u2019s obvious&#8211;you should be tracking your annual repair costs for your AC system, and if they\u2019re climbing, it\u2019s definitely time.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Humidity increase<\/strong>. If you notice that the cool air in your home is more humid than it used to be, it\u2019s a sign that your air conditioning unit is ready to be replaced. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>An increase in energy bills<\/strong>. If you notice a spike in your electric bill that\u2019s not related to a utility rate increase, have your AC system checked out. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Thermostat problems<\/strong>. A well-performing AC system should quickly meet the temperature you set via your thermostat. If it doesn\u2019t, it may be a sign of a more serious problem that could dictate the need for a new AC system. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Refrigerant or water leaks.<\/strong> Check the area around the unit. If it\u2019s consistently moist or you see coolant around the AC unit, it\u2019s time to consider a replacement once you get to the root of the problem. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Poor airflow in your home<\/strong>. If you have some rooms in your home that aren\u2019t getting to the temp you sent, you need to diagnose the problem to get to the root of it. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Poor ventilation<\/strong>. If you notice more dust in your home, it may be time for a replacement. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The air conditioning unit keeps running or won\u2019t turn on <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why You Should Consider Maintenance as Part of Your Decision <\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Regular maintenance<\/strong>. If you haven\u2019t done this for a while, it may be worth the small investment. At 128 Plumbing, we have some great HVAC maintenance programs, and a visit will allow us to evaluate the system and make a solid recommendation. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Will you need R-22?<\/strong> Many older AC systems run on a refrigerant called R-22, which is no longer produced in the US. You can still get it if you go through a professional, but will cost you a lot more than R-410a, the replacement refrigerant. Also, R22 is bad for the environment, so you should definitely factor that into your plans.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the Rating of Your Wakefield AC System?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regardless of how old your AC system is, it will have a <strong>SEER rating<\/strong> that can help you determine whether it\u2019s time to replace your AC system.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For AC units that date back to the 1990s, the SEER rating must be at least 10. By comparison, this number was changed to a minimum of 13 in 2006, then to 15 in 2015. Today\u2019s systems typically have a SEER rating over 20. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you evaluate these numbers, be sure to factor in the savings you\u2019ll be getting with a modern system. You may be surprised at how much you save in Wakefield, and that and a rebate from Mass Save or the Inflation Reduction Act can help you make the choice. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">System AC Repairs vs Specific Repairs and Maintenance<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you look at your repair history, make sure to take into account the repairs you need. Are you replacing filters, or smaller components like a blower motor, or are your repairs starting to be for systemic issues?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If it\u2019s the latter, it\u2019s probably time to start pricing a replacement. Those systemic repairs are only going to get more expensive. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Long Will You Be In Your Wakefield Home?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A new AC system is a major investment, so you should also take into account how long you\u2019re going to be in your home. If you\u2019re planning on selling in the next few years, you may want to ride and die with your current AC system and factor the price of a new system into your sale price. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Budget Factors for Wakefield AC Replacement<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Budgets almost always play an important role in the repair vs replace system, so you should see which one of these categories applies to your situation.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Expansive budget<\/strong>. If you have the money to replace your AC system and it\u2019s older, replacement is almost always a good way to go. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Some budget issues<\/strong>. This is where you need help from 128 Plumbing. We can help assess your needs according to the money you have available, with both value and comfort in mind.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Tight budget<\/strong>. Once again, you need our help. We don\u2019t want you to have to make unnecessary compromises, and we\u2019ll make sure to give you some great options.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make the Right Decision for Your Wakefield Home with 128 Plumbing<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you need help determining whether to repair or replace your AC, we can help. At 128 Plumbing, we\u2019ve helped thousands of homeowners make the right decision, and we have plenty of reviews from happy customers to prove it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The process starts with a phone call, and the numbers are <strong>(888) 419-4233<\/strong> or <strong>(781) 670-3261<\/strong>. We\u2019ll answer your questions, give you the appropriate value numbers, and tell you what you need to do when it comes to repair vs replacement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To get more information about how this works, you can also go to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.128plumbing.com\">128Plumbing.com<\/a> and start a live chat. We also have some great blogs and articles there to help educate you about the advantages and disadvantages of both decisions, then make the best one for you and your needs as a homeowner.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For many homeowners, the state of their air conditioning system is a key factor in their summer lifestyle. They want cool, clean air circulating in their homes during the sweltering&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17,19,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28972","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-cooling","category-electrical","category-service-repair"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.128plumbing.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28972","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.128plumbing.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.128plumbing.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.128plumbing.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.128plumbing.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28972"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.128plumbing.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28972\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.128plumbing.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28972"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.128plumbing.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28972"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.128plumbing.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28972"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}