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My central air conditioner died at the start of triple digit temperatures. Should I repair or replace?

May 17th, 2009 · 5 Comments · Air Conditioners

My central air conditioner is 20 years old, although I replaced a 0 part about 3 years ago. Is it time to replace the entire unit and if so, what brands are best in terms of reliability and "energy star" efficiency? Should I use single room units instead? I would be happy without having the whole house cool, if that would be more energy efficient. I live in Pasadena, southern California, if that makes a difference.



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5 responses so far ↓

  • 1 smrt1 // May 17, 2009 at 1:01 am

    Yup, I would agree it`s a perfect time to get a TRANE brand air condo unit. They are very reliable and the newer ones are very power efficient.

    If you get the same size unit, all you need to do is replace the outside unit. You can buy one at your local heating shop and install it yourself, but for warranty work I would have them install it and add the freon to it, or what they call charging it.

  • 2 ppe // May 17, 2009 at 1:01 am

    unit years old it needs to be replace new unit it's more efficiency will save you alot more money, the average life of a unit is about 13-15 years more then that is not efficiency any more

  • 3 texas_harley2000 // May 17, 2009 at 1:01 am

    You will save money replacing the unit. You currently have about a 8-9 SEER rated system. The least you can purchase today is a 13 SEER. I have a customer who replaced his system this winter with a 14 SEER Payne system. He called today from Dallas Texas to tell me his power bill was $180 a month cheaper after we upgrade his system and added r-8 flex duct. It cost him $5200.00 to do the job, but in 28 months his system will have saved him enough money to pay for its self. Plus he has 10 years warranty on the equipment and 5 years warranty on our labor. And 15 years of life in the equipment, which equals a total savings of $27,360. over the next 15 years. Be sure to get the R-410A refrigerant.

  • 4 The Easy Answer // May 17, 2009 at 1:01 am

    Hi Michelle,

    I would stay with central air. I would never switch to a window unit if central air is already installed. It think the best thing to do would be to shop around for the best deal!

    If you live in CA, then I would definitely have an air purifier running as well. From what I have heard, the air is not too healthy. I got mine from http://www.firstairpurifier.com

  • 5 airconguru // May 17, 2009 at 1:01 am

    Go with a new unit to get the better efficiency and warranty benefits.

    Brand doesn't matter much. The deciding factor should be the company that installs it. Make sure a Manual J load calculation is performed followed by Manual S and Manual D procedures and you will be fine.

    NEVER install a new outdoor unit on a 20 year old indoor coil. You may kill the new outdoor unit and will not get the efficiency that you paid for.

    If your budget allows, get the entire system replaced.

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