Should You Repair or Replace Your Air Conditioner?

Your air conditioner is probably one of the most complex pieces of household equipment you own. There are two things you have to keep in mind when you’re servicing such an air conditioner: they use a 220 volt current, which can easily kill you, and they’re very complex and are comprised of several different components.

For these reasons, if you need to have major repairs made on your air conditioner, it’s always best to hire a professional who isn’t guessing about what they’re doing during the process (or watching a YouTube video for their ‘training!’)

An air conditioner tends to get very dirty around the air intakes, and here there are a few things you can do yourself. The first area to check is around the exterior of the unit. If there is debris or dirt piled up, it’s likely affecting the performance of your air conditioner. You can also clean out the inside of the unit with a brush, vacuum or a hose. Before you do, make absolutely certain that the circuit that powers the air conditioner is turned off. Make sure you cover any electrical components with plastic and tape before you hose off the exterior.

Most modern air conditioner designs are very sturdy, which means that replacement is seldom called for. There are instances, however, where the damage to a unit is just a result of a long service life and when it’s time to replace it. You might consider replacing your air conditioner if your bills get excessively high or if the performance just isn’t there anymore. Otherwise, a professional HVAC repair firm can usually fix it for you.