Repair vs. Replace Estimates
When deciding whether to repair or replace your central heating and air conditioning system there are several things to keep in mind. If you haven't had many problems with your current air conditioner and it is under 8 years old then it might be wise to repair it instead of replacing it. If your heating and AC system is over 8 years old and has broken down in the past then it might not be wise to put several hundred dollars in repairs into your current system. The more wise investment would be to put that money into a new unit that will start saving you money on utility bills every month. It will also be a much more reliable and comfortable solution.
Below is a chart that explains the repair versus replacement debate. The average lifespan of an air conditioning system in South Texas is 10 years, so this is based on averages. We have seen systems last for over 40 years and also we have seen some completely break down in 4 years.
At Champion AC, we gather detailed information about your house (insulation, windows, square footage, etc...) and determine the optimum equipment for your home. In the past, many contractors installed air conditioners that were oversized thinking it would cool a home down faster. From an engineering standpoint, this is a truly bad idea because not only will the system be more inefficient, but the home will actually become uncomfortable.
A properly sized HVAC system is essential to lowering utility bills and reducing indoor humidity. Today's high efficiency AC systems also have higher SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratings) and also have variable speed motors, which requires much less energy to run. SEER ratings are an important factor when deciding which air conditioner to install, because heating and air conditioning accounts for approximately 60-70% of a typical utility bill.
Champion AC currently provides the installation of 13-18 SEER Central Air Conditioning systems. We only install R410A refrigerant systems as well. When investing in a new AC system, understanding SEER ratings is very important. A 13 SEER unit is the lowest SEER rated unit that we install. If a homeowner doesn't plan on living in their home for more than 4 years we recommend installing a 15 SEER unit. If you are staying in your home for the foreseeable future then it would be wise to install a 16 or 18 SEER unit.
