As for changing only the outdoor unit, you can keep the fan and heat coils inside, but you also need to change the evaporator coil to get them. However, if you have an old system that, for example, uses R-22 freon instead of R410a Puron, the new refrigerant, the situation is different. So, you're practically forced to replace at least the condensing unit and the attic evaporator coil to convert them into new refrigerant. This way, you don't run the risk of the new refrigerant being contaminated with the old one.
If you have a system that is more than 10 years old and your condenser or compressor fails outside, you face an expensive replacement. It may be a good opportunity to consider replacing the entire system and replacing it with one that offers a higher level of comfort and, in addition, greater efficiency. Replacing a compressor in an air conditioning system can be quite expensive; it's one of the most expensive repairs in the industry. That is precisely why we are asked this question so often that it is a sensible question. Often, it's best to get rid of the old unit and replace the entire air conditioning system completely.
In fact, it would be better to split it up in parts or sell it to someone who can work on it and reduce your losses. Take everything you earn with it and put it in the down payment on another car. That's the most likely choice most people would make and it would be the right one. Now, on the other hand, what if the situation is the same but the car is only a couple of years old and is still under warranty? It would be a no-brainer to fix the car under warranty, even if there's a small deductible. The situation is very similar to the one that occurs when considering air conditioning service in the outdoor unit of your system.
If the system is working properly, is not very old (less than 8 years old) and everything else is in good condition, repair it. The choice between air conditioning service to replace the outdoor unit or to replace the system completely depends on a few key factors. Most worthwhile air conditioners have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years with regular and proper maintenance. If you have a unit nearing the end of its life and the compressor shuts down, it's best to replace the entire unit. Why do we recommend it? Because when a unit reaches that age, the chances of suffering a mechanical failure skyrocket.
Surely you could save some money at present simply by replacing the faulty component. However, what happens if a few months later another part breaks down? The pattern continues until, finally, you end up needing a new unit anyway. All the money you spent keeping the old one on life support was in vain. However, there is an exception to this rule and that implies the following factor. Therefore, your system is approaching the 10-year mark and the compressor has broken down.
Does that mean that you will automatically buy a new unit? Let's hit the brakes for a moment. Even though your unit is almost 10 years old, it may still be under warranty. If the warranty is still valid, even for a few days, the compressor part is covered. However, labor is not usually covered with such an old unit, so you would be responsible for it. However, the labor cost is negligible compared to the cost of the compressor itself.
So, if this is your situation, congratulations, your compressor failed just in time to save you some money for now. You never want to be in that situation where it expires the day after your warranty expires. Most of our customers often don't even think about this, as they focus on the problem at hand. However, in some cases, they may want to check if their current unit is working for them.
When the compressor or condenser fails and you call the air conditioning service, consider your comfort level. Are you satisfied with the air conditioning system you originally purchased? Often, homeowners will purchase an inexpensive system that is the bare minimum for heating and cooling their home. Usually, those systems are very inefficient, especially after 2 or 3 generations. Systems improve, become more efficient and innovative.
We've covered a lot of information here and we know it can be confusing at times. That's why at Airteam we strive to inform our customers. We want you to have the necessary knowledge to make an informed decision and not to trust only our words. After all, if you decide based on the information you have on your own, you're going to be happier. Is it time for a new air conditioner?.
