February 7, 2017

Should I continue repairing my AC unit?

Repair

For most of us, a house represents the largest financial investment we’ll ever make. That means finding a company to handle your AC needs is of utmost importance, as well. The company you pick will be your partner in choosing and maintaining your home’s HVAC unit, which has consequences you might not have thought about. Since cooling and heating can account for almost half of a typical homeowner’s energy costs, making the right decision can have an impact on your financial well-being, in addition to the comfort of you and your family. For years, people in Missouri have trusted Scott-Lee Heating Company for their HVAC needs. We’ve assembled a list of things to consider when you’re looking for a company to trust with your air conditioning needs.

How to Decide Whether to Continue Repairing Your AC

When your air conditioner breaks down, the choice between repairing it again or replacing it entirely can be confusing. The right decision balances cost, system age, efficiency, recent investments, and reliability. Use the guidelines below to evaluate whether continuing repairs makes sense or if it’s time to upgrade to a new, more efficient system.

  • The 50% rule: If a single repair or cumulative recent repairs approach or exceed 50% of the cost of a new system, replacement is usually the smarter long-term investment. Frequent expensive fixes erode value quickly.
  • System age: Most central AC systems last about 10–15 years; if yours is near or past that range, ongoing repairs become less reliable and less efficient, making replacement increasingly attractive.
  • Frequency of breakdowns: If you’re calling for service multiple times per season or the same components fail repeatedly, the hidden cost in downtime and patchwork repairs adds up—consider replacing before a catastrophic failure.
  • Energy bills and efficiency: Rising utility costs despite consistent use can signal your system is losing efficiency due to wear, refrigerant issues, or mechanical degradation. A new unit can reduce bills and deliver more consistent comfort.
  • Recent major component investments: If you’ve recently replaced key elements like the compressor, coil, or controls and the rest of the system is relatively healthy, continuing repairs may be justified.
  • Repair cost vs. remaining expected life: Multiply the unit’s age by its typical repair costs; if that total approaches replacement cost or reliability declines, upgrading is safer and more predictable.

Bottom line: if your system is under 10 years old, hasn’t needed frequent major fixes, and recent repairs were targeted, continue repairing. If it’s older, inefficient, breaking often, or repair costs are stacking close to replacement price, schedule a replacement evaluation. Upgrading can improve comfort, lower energy bills, and avoid emergency failures. Contact a local St. Louis HVAC expert to get a transparent comparison of repair versus replacement.

It pays to seek out a firm with that gets consistently good reviews. Do you homework and see what the Better Business Bureau has to say, and check for consumer reviews on Yelp and other sites that post real-life feedback on local companies.

An HVAC company should hire technicians who are certified by North American Technician Excellence. A NATE certification signifies a firm believes in hiring employees who are knowledgeable and know their stuff.

Ask friends, neighbors and co-workers for their recommendations. An honest referral can point you toward an HVAC contractor you might not have considered. Ask potential contractors for references, and ask those references specific questions about the firm’s previous performance.

You should pay attention to price, but don’t make it your only consideration when choosing an HVAC contractor. You may save a few bucks initially, but often the firm with the lowest price is a fly-by-night operation that may not even be properly licensed and insured. Your best bet is to find a legitimate contractor that offers fair prices and superior service. A reputable HVAC contractor will check your system before giving you a cost estimate. A firm that quotes a price over the phone before an in-person visit may be up to something.

When you’re looking for an HVAC contractor, do your due diligence, and make sure Scott-Lee Heating Company is on your short list of companies you’re considering. We’re not afraid to answer your tough questions, and to earn your trust. If you need an AC repair in St. Louis or surrounding areas, don’t hesitate to call us!