Eventually, AC repairs in Jacksonville won’t cut it anymore and you’ll have to make the investment in a new air conditioner. The question is, when? The good news is, there will be some indications that it’s time to replace your AC before it breaks down completely. If you pay attention to these signs, you can stay ahead of a complete breakdown.

The 50% Repair Rule

You may want to repair your AC for as long as you can to get the most out of that expensive investment. But, there comes a time when repair bills are too expensive. Experts recommend that if you are faced with a repair that costs 50% of what it would be to install an entirely new AC, you skip out on the repairs and go for a new unit instead.

When our team comes out to your home to inspect your AC because of problems, we will outline whatever we find wrong along with prices. If we already know that a repair meets this 50% rule, we will also present you with options for replacing your AC as an alternative.

It’s completely up to you what you want to do, but if your AC is having problems significant enough to cost thousands of dollars, that’s a red flag. There’s not even a guarantee that making a repair will keep your AC running for long enough to make the investment worth it. After all, you can expect a new AC to last for 10-15 years. If you’re spending half the cost of a new unit then it’s reasonable to think that you would want your AC to last at least another 5 years.

High Electricity Bills

AC repairs are not the only thing you can spend money on. It’s also possible that your AC is costing you money in other ways. For example, if your AC has lost efficiency, over the years, your energy bills may be steadily increasing. If you notice your energy bills going up without ceasing or notice a sudden spike in your energy use, your air conditioner may be to blame.

Sometimes increases in your energy bills can happen so slowly that you don’t really notice them until the increase is pretty significant. You may be able to schedule AC maintenance and get some of that efficiency back to lower your energy bills. But, if your AC is at least 10 years old, there’s a good chance that it’s reaching the end of its life.

You also want to think about the fact that you may not have one significantly expensive repair. Instead, you may be making frequent, smaller repairs. If it seems like you have an AC service tech at your house several times a year for a new problem, or a single problem that just won’t go away, then it’s probably time to start fresh with a new system.