AC Installation & Replacement

Is It Time?

When to Replace Your Air Conditioner

Knowing when to repair and when to replace your AC system is one of the most important decisions you will make as a homeowner in St. George. While repairs can extend the life of your equipment, there comes a point where replacement is the smarter financial and comfort decision. Here are the key signs that it may be time for a new system.

Your system is 10 to 15 years old. The average lifespan of an air conditioner in Southern Utah is shorter than the national average due to the extreme heat and extended cooling season. While a system in a milder climate might last 15 to 20 years, the relentless demands of cooling a home through six or more months of 100-degree-plus weather take a significant toll. If your system is approaching or has passed the 10-year mark, it is worth evaluating whether a modern, high-efficiency replacement would save you money in the long run.

Frequent and costly repairs. A good rule of thumb is the 50-percent rule: if a single repair costs more than 50 percent of the value of a new system, replacement usually makes more financial sense. Similarly, if you have needed multiple repairs in the past two years, those costs are adding up and being put toward aging equipment that will only need more work.

Rising energy bills. As AC systems age, they lose efficiency. A system that was rated at 10 SEER when it was new may be operating at the equivalent of 6 or 7 SEER after years of wear. Modern systems start at 14 SEER and high-efficiency models reach 20 SEER or higher, which can cut your cooling costs by 30 to 50 percent.

R-22 refrigerant. If your system uses R-22 (Freon), you should know that this refrigerant has been phased out and is no longer manufactured. The cost of remaining R-22 supplies has skyrocketed, making repairs on these older systems extremely expensive. Upgrading to a new system that uses R-410A or the newer R-454B refrigerant is the most practical path forward.