Fight the MA Clean Heat Standard Today! - LEARN HOW
Written on: March 20, 2023
If weather trends continue, this summer should be as warm—or warmer—than last year. And you can count on humidity, too. Is it time to put replacing your AC system on your to-do list?
We get this question every spring, and the answer is always, “It depends.” Sometimes, a few repairs and a tune-up will have your air conditioning system running like new. There are a few factors to consider. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
Even well-maintained equipment will start to fail after 10 or 15 years. Repairs will get more frequent—and more expensive, once the warranty is expired. If you have an older system that uses the phased-out R-22 refrigerant, you should definitely replace it. R-22 is hard to get—and very expensive.
The cost of a tune-up is usually worthwhile. It can prevent lots of small problems from turning into expensive repair jobs.
If you do need a repair, we recommend the $5,000 rule: Multiply the age of your system by the cost of a repair. If it’s more than $5,000, you’re better off replacing your cooling equipment. So, for example, if you have an 8-year-old system and the estimate for repairs is $1,200, you’d get $9,600—you’ll get better value from replacing your system.
Ask us for more information about our Silver Air Conditioning Preventative Maintenance Service Plan. With this plan, your annual tune-up is included, we give you priority service for no-cooling calls, and a 15% discount on all parts and labor.
Your equipment will give you plenty of signals it’s ready for a repair. Noise, including rattling, grinding and just louder operation means your equipment is working harder than it should. Be aware of these other signs of pending problems:
How did your cooling system perform last summer? Did you experience frequent breakdowns? A big increase in your energy use despite getting a tune-up is another big sign that your AC is not running as efficiently as it should be.
On the other hand, if you have spaces that don’t seem to get cool, adding a ductless mini-split can address the problem without adding an ugly window unit or replacing your whole system.
The good news is that a new AC system will run more efficiently and help you cut your cooling costs by as much as a third. Our pros can help you access your needs and talk to you about trouble spots, like hard to cool rooms.
We know every house is different—a “cookie cutter” approach doesn’t work—and the best system in the world is only as good as the installation. We’ll show you why spending extra for an ultra-high efficiency system might not be worth the cost for you, and we’ll help you navigate your options and find the best choice for your budget and your space.
If your system still has a few good years, it’s never too soon to schedule your AC system maintenance. Our technicians will perform a multi-point precision tune-up to ensure your equipment is running right. Annual maintenance is the key to getting the best performance out of your home’s cooling system.
Whatever your needs, the pros at Brideau are here to make sure your cooling equipment is ready for the season. Contact us today.
