Do Your Indoor and Outdoor HVAC Units Need to Be Replaced At the Same Time?
North Alabama weather might have us dealing with 80-degree weather one day, and 40 degree weather the next. Your home’s heating and air conditioning system needs to be able to handle the fluctuations without missing a beat, What happens when only one part of your system stops working? Do you just replace the condenser unit and keep the inside one until it needs replacing? Or, do you invest the money and replace both units?
We have the answers.
Replacing Outdoor AC Unit
The outdoor portion of your AC is called the condenser unit. If it stops working, check to see if it’s still under warranty. Most air conditioner warranties have a lifespan of 10 years, so even if your AC is a couple of years old, you may still be in luck.
If it is still under warranty, you might be able to get it replaced at no cost to you, other than labor charges. If it turns out that you’re out of luck on that front, you’ll probably have to buy a new condenser unit and prepare to buy a new inside unit as well. There are several reasons why doing so would be in your best interest:
1. Lower cost in the long run. While it’s more expensive to have to replace both items at the same time, you have to look at the big picture: If the condenser failed after the warranty expired, the clock is already ticking for the same thing to happen to the inside unit. Buying them separately will cost you more than buying them together.
If you can’t afford to get them both replaced at the same time, make sure to make adjustments for when you do have to replace the inside unit.
2. Energy efficiency. Modern AC units are designed to improve energy efficiency, often times up to 50%. For instance, if you replace your old 10 SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) unit with a 20 SEER system, your new system will use 50% less energy. Newer models are friendlier on the environment and on your pocket.
3. Refrigerant requirements have changed. Air conditioners work by absorbing the warm air and moisture from your home. Refrigerant turns it into cold air, which is what comes out of your vents. The same way more modern AC systems are more energy efficient, newer refrigerants are more environmentally friendly.
4. Compatibility. Outside and inside units are specifically designed to work together. Having incompatible parts will likely result in higher utility bills. It may also result in an HVAC system that doesn’t cool or warm as well as it should. It’s not only about refrigerant requirements. You want to make sure they have the same SEER rating systems and air filter requirements.
When in doubt, ask a licensed and insured HVAC technician such as the ones at Garrison and Garrison Heating and Air to inspect your system. They will inspect your system and provide you with an assessment of how long the part that’s still working will last. Or you could prevent issues before they arise by having regular maintenance check-ups on your entire system.
Contact Garrison and Garrison
Whether your home or business is having air conditioning issues, we are here to help. And because we know that a fully functional heating and air conditioning system is a necessity in North Alabama, we offer 24/7 emergency service. Contact us and we will get your HVAC system running perfectly.
For more information, email us at [email protected].
