Let’s start with the aircon unit age:
How old is your aircon unit? If the aircon unit was already in the house when you moved in, you may have no idea of its age. However, it’s simple to find out. Go to the outdoor cabinet of the aircon unit, the condenser cabinet, and find the metal nameplate, which is usually attached to the back of the cabinet. This nameplate should have the manufacturer’s date on it. If it doesn’t, take a digital snapshot of the nameplate, and then call a professional aircon servicing company. Using the model and serial number on the plate, we can give you the manufacturer’s date.
What does age mean for an aircon unit?
You now know how old your aircon unit is, but what counts as too old? In general, modern aircon units can last 10 to 15 years, with warranties covering 10 to 12 years. If you have an aircon unit past its warranty period or older than 15 years, then planning for a replacement is a good idea. Yes, even if the aircon unit is still outwardly working well. The risk of the aircon unit becoming inefficient increased over the past 15 years, as does the risk the entire aircon unit will suffer a breakdown.
Repairs become a less cost-effective solution when the aircon unit is this old. You can apply “The Rule of 5000” to get an idea of when repairs are not the ideal choice. Multiple repair costs by the age of the system. If the result is more than 5000, the repair is too costly, and therefore it isn’t worth it.
Current home aircon units use R-410A refrigerant, which replaced the carbon-depleting R-22 as part of a phaseout. By 2020, R-22 was no longer available for repairs on older aircon units. If you have an R-22 aircon unit which you can find the information on the nameplate, a professional aircon servicing company recommends replacing it as soon as possible. New R-410A aircon units have superior energy efficiency and you won’t have to worry about refrigerant leaks that can’t be repaired.
What are the 5 most common aircon issues of a 10 year old aircon unit?
1) Wear and tear
Just like any machine, your aircon unit will wear down with frequent use. Unfortunately, this kind of degradation is inevitable, but you can slow down the process with a little aircon unit maintenance. Clean away any dead grass or weeds that may have grown around the outdoor unit and make sure no critters have made homes.
Regular maintenance is important to keep a watchful eye on older aircon units. As the wear and tear of use can start to affect mechanical components, regular aircon unit tune-ups can spot faulty components and fix them before they turn into a bigger aircon issue.
Have you noticed an increase in your electric bill recently? Or maybe you’re running at full blast and the house is still a bit warmer than it was last year? An aging aircon unit will slowly lose efficiency over time, using up more and more energy to hold the same temperatures.
An aircon issue like this can sometimes be solved with thorough aircon unit maintenance, but you might want to consider an aircon unit replacement if your energy bills are swelling. Newer aircon units are much more energy-efficient and can help save money in the long run.
Leaking fluids aren’t just a household problem, it’s an issue with environmental regulation. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that R22, a common refrigerant used in old aircon units, must be phased out by 2020. That means the cost to maintain your unit will increase. If your aircon unit was built before 2010, you may be using R22.
The fan in your aircon unit is what makes hot air flow out and cool airflow in. It’s really a work of science. But in short, the fan is a critical component of your aircon unit. If your fan moves too slowly or not at all, your aircon unit won’t work properly. An aircon unit fan issue could be caused by debris in the aircon unit or something much more complex.
Your aircon unit is a complex system made up of a number of electrical parts. Wiring snakes all throughout the system connecting circuit boards to the fans, compressor, and coils. With so many electrical components, frayed wiring or a busted capacitor is something to prepare for.
The perks of repairing a 10-year-old aircon unit:
1) Aircon unit maintenance can help your aircon unit last longer and stay up to specification, which will save you money in the long term. For example, as a professional aircon servicing company, we could say that most repairs can be cheaper depending on the faulty part of the aircon unit.
2) Additionally, repairs can help keep your home comfortable during the hot summer months. Your aircon unit may not be as efficient as it once was and may need some repairs done to get back up to its usual performance.
3) Repairs also protect the environment and reduce energy consumption by creating a more efficient aircon unit for cooling purposes. This is especially important because of the new federal rule that made aircon unit manufacturers replace refrigerants with more environmentally friendly alternatives which started in the year 2020. Sooner rather than later we’ll see refrigerants without CFCs or chlorofluorocarbons.
How about the drawbacks of repairing a 10 year old aircon unit?
There are many great reasons to repair your old aircon unit. However, there are also some drawbacks when it comes to repairing your old aircon unit:
1) Repairing an old aircon unit can be expensive. It will cost more money if you try to repair it than if you bought a new one. You might also need to replace other aircon unit parts in the process of fixing up your old aircon unit, which will require more time and money.
2) If you have an old aircon unit that still works but is inefficient, it may be worth it to repair it instead of buying a new one if the repairs are inexpensive and straightforward. But it’s not worth the time or money if buying a new aircon unit is cheaper or easier.
Pro 338 Tip: Aircon Unit Recommendations
Always consult with a trusted professional aircon servicing company to determine whether your aircon unit can be repaired or if it should be replaced. Depending on the aircon issue, they may be able to fix it and save you from having to install a new aircon unit. However, if the aircon issue is beyond fixing, costs too much to be repaired, or the aircon unit is too old or inefficient, a replacement could be your only option.
Your trusted professional aircon servicing company has years of experience working with aircon units and can take factors like aircon unit size, efficiency, and operation into consideration when making suggestions. Professional aircon servicing companies can also perform home energy assessments to identify energy leaks and determine the efficiency of your aircon unit.
If you decide to replace your 10-year-old aircon unit, it will also be crucial. After all, improper installation can reduce system efficiency and even reduce the life of the aircon unit. Making the decision to repair or replace your aircon unit can be tough. But by considering the aircon unit’s age, repair history, and efficiency, as well as the professional aircon servicing company’s recommendations, you can have more confidence in your decision.
About 338aircon.sg
It’s always a good time to talk about the common issues that aircon units have. This way, you’ll be able to spot if there are problems with your unit or not and prepare for its replacement accordingly. If you require our aircon servicing services, Whatsapp us at +65 9222 4141 for a fast and transparent quote.
338 Aircon Servicing Singapore provides an extensive range of Aircon Services including Aircon Servicing, Aircon Repairs, Aircon Installation of the best aircon brands, Chemical Overhaul, Gas Top-up, Aircon Leaking Water, and Aircon Not Cold Fix, and more. We have a team of professional technicians who are equipped with vast knowledge and experience in the Aircon industry.
We have over 15 years of experience in dealing with aircon works and have completed thousands of aircon works for both residential (Landed, Condo, and HDB) and commercial. We are a highly recommended Aircon Company in Singapore, with many delighted customers and reviews over the years on Google and Facebook.
WhatsApp us at +65 9222 4141 for a transparent quotation and honest pricing for all your aircon needs or Call us at +65 9222 4141. We offer a fast and efficient service to serve any of your aircon needs!
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