When it comes to making HVAC repairs in your home, you have to rely on the knowledge and expertise of industry technicians. When you receive a quote or bill for a repair job, you may wonder if the price is fair or not. We are sharing some tips for how you can identify whether a repair job is too expensive and whether you are being quoted fairly.
We also have recommendations for what you should do if something major goes wrong inside of your air conditioner and you have a repair bill up into the thousands of dollars. When you need HVAC repair in Lake City, Florida, we hope that you will give our team a call. We are always here to help with all of your HVAC needs, including understanding a repair quote so you understand what you are getting and what to expect out of the service.
Minor AC Repairs
In general, smaller repairs on your air conditioner will cost anywhere up to about $300. Of course, if you have questions about the breakdown, our team or any other company that you are working with should provide a breakdown of what the total includes.
You should know exactly how much you were spending on replacement parts, and what the rate is for labor, including how many hours you are being charged for. Keep in mind that each company has a slightly different structure for how they charge for service. Either way, you should have a clear understanding about any HVAC repair bill.
Larger AC Repairs
When larger components go bad, they are significantly more expensive to replace. You may spend upwards of $1,500 to repair or replace larger components inside of your HVAC system. However, just like smaller repairs, you should have a clear understanding of what portion of the expense is going toward parts and what you’re paying for labor or service time.
The 50% Rule
We have many customers ask, what is the maximum amount I should pay for an HVAC repair? While there is no specific right answer, there is an industry expert recommendation. You should never spend more than 50% of the cost of a new air conditioner on repairing an old air conditioner. If you are spending that much, it may make more sense to go ahead and invest in a brand-new unit.
Spending several thousand dollars on a repair for an older unit may not offer the same return on your investment that you would get with a brand-new HVAC system and starting fresh. Of course, our team can talk to you about your options during any in-home assessment. If we think that a repair is too expensive compared to the age of your unit, we can outline your options for investing in a replacement instead.
Considering Your AC System Age
The average air conditioner will last for around 15 years. The closer that you get to this 15-year mark, the more likely it is that you will have to replace your air conditioner. However, if you have kept up with annual maintenance then there’s a good chance that your HVAC system could last for closer to 20 years, if not longer. The bottom line is, the older that your air conditioner is, the more likely it is that it will need to be replaced when something goes wrong.
Call Touchstone Heating and Air 24/7 for exceptional customer service! Serving the communities of North Central Florida since 1998.