AC is 34 years old and still going... should i replace?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were told to replace our 20 year old unit in 2009 while doing some other work. We decided to ride it out. We stopped doing the maintenance and it lasted 15 more years. Then we noticed it could not keep up on.very hot days so we replaced it. Bill went down but no where close to 50%. I would keep it.

Similar story here. AC repair guys will always tell you to replace it. It’s a money maker for them. Ours lasted 11 years after one guy told us to replace it.

[Anonymous]

Ours was over 30 years old. It cost $17,000 5 years ago for two units that service 4300 sf. But our monthly power bill did decrease by $100 or $200.

My SIL just got an estimate for replacing her 30 yr single unit that handles 3200 sf - $17,000.

Can't believe people are getting such low estimates for a full replacement. We had several quotes and $17K was in line. We didn't get the most popular name brand, but the next tier down.

[Anonymous]

Depends how you feel about going without during a 100 degree week. Takes time to get an estimate, new ine, installation. I like orderly transition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We replaced an old one recently and the efficiency of newer model saved us almost half our electric bill.

A new AC is never going to pay for itself in electric-bill savings, once you consider that you’re probably going to have to buy yet another system sooner than you otherwise would have when the new one finally breaks. Especially if it’s true that they don’t make them like they used to.

That’s not what he said though. He said it cut his bills in half. If the old unit was 10 seer and the new one is 19-20, he’s right.

It's weird that you think that person was a man.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have it serviced regularly? Our old house's furnace was original to the house and was 40 years old when we moved (and sold for a few thousand over asking, shockingly) - we had a company come and service it 2x a year and the techs always told us that they don't make them like they used to and they thought we should keep it running for as long as we could.

A furnace and an ac are quite different. Oil furnaces can last 30+ years, easily. It’s unusual for AC to last that long. My hvac technician says mine is the oldest he’s ever seen, at 40.

I assumed she said AC but meant furnace.