31 year old A/C unit - that still works! - service it or don't touch?

[ovi8]

Do you use it everyday? We only have it on maybe 10-15 times a summer (yes CAC, brand new too) and wouldn't dream of spending $10k+ on a new unit unless it actually stops working. We only put a new one in since we did a dormer.

[Big George]

Originally Posted by mscrash

Yes, you read that correctly, the outside central A/C unit for our house is a Lennox manufactured in 1981! We bought the house last Aug and the seller spent $500 repairing the A/C system because it leaked and water damaged the ceiling and drywall in the basement but I'm not sure what exactly was replaced. The repair was inside the house - nothing was done to the compressor outside to my knowledge.

The unit seems to work and puts out nice cold air from the vents, but it doesn't cool the house completely down to the temp the thermostat is set for (75 degrees.) I'm contemplating having an A/C tech out for a tuneup and possibly a re-charge, but I'm scared to death of messing with it and have the unit go out.. (our luck with this house has been terrible. The movie "The Money Pit" would be an accurate analogy)

I'm leaning towards "if it's not broke, don't fix it" but it would also be nice if we could get the house temp down a few more degrees. Our bedroom is in the attic and due to the window configuration can't use a window A/C so the central has to work extra hard to cool it off upstairs. '

Thoughts? Opinions? Experiences?

Thanks!
Mscrash

The last rental house I bought had central air installed in the 60s, and still had the original unit. I had the unit recharged, and the renters used it that way for a year. The next summer, when it needed to be recharged again, I decided to get some bids on a new unit.

Bids varied widely, but I went with the lowest feasible bid - which was $2400 for an entirely new Central Air System (keep in mind that it was replacing an existing one, so less work had to be done to install it).

The new system has a much higher seer rating, runs far more efficiently, and cools the house just fine. In the long run, it was the right choice to make.


I'd suggest you start saving some money, while using the old unit. If you have a couple thousand saved up by next spring, it won't hurt so bad to put in a new unit.

[mscrash]

Originally Posted by rh71

Do you use it everyday? We only have it on maybe 10-15 times a summer (yes CAC, brand new too) and wouldn't dream of spending $10k+ on a new unit unless it actually stops working. We only put a new one in since we did a dormer.

This summer we've had to use it nearly every day. It's been a hot summer so far in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Today it was 91 degrees - yesterday was 93, and it hasn't even gotten humid yet. I'm guessing it will cost us around $150 - $200 per month to run based on last year's bill (ouch).


ms.crash

[greatblueheron]

I moved last yr to a place with a 25 yr old AC. The only reason I had a new one installed was because summers here are consistently 90-100 degrees....with even higher heat indices. Otherwise, would have let it die on it's own...

[wit-nit]

Air conditioner guy told me "if it ain't broke don't replace it til it stops working and to save your money up til it's time to replace and get at least a 16 seer unit". In the meantime check around for a brand and company that you would be comfortable with doing business and allocate some funds for it when the time comes. If you wait til it goes out and do research at that time you'll lose some comfortable days and may make a bad decision by accepting the first thing that is offered you.