This question is asked by many of our customers during the hot Houston summer months. The answers are not always cut and dried; but if you follow the guidelines below it will help you make a better decision.

Listed below are several scenarios to consider before making a decision:

System under 5 years of age: In most cases fix the unit. Virtually all manufacturers provide a 5 to 10-year parts warranty on the compressor. Some manufacturers also provide a 5 or 10-year parts warranty on the condenser and evaporator coils if the system is installed at the same time.

Systems over 5 years of age: Compressor failure-when the compressor fails and the compressor is out of warranty we suggest replacing the entire unit. The replacement compressor will typically carry a 1-year warranty. The cost of the replacement compressor is normally ½ to ¾ the cost of a new unit. If you have a high efficiency unit 12 SEER or better than replacing the compressor should be a consideration. Some better manufacturers offer a 10-year parts warranty on the compressor, be sure to have us check and see if your compressor is in warranty. If your condenser coil fails follow the same guidelines as compressor replacement. Any other part that fails normally is low enough in cost to warrant a repair instead of replacing the unit if the system is under 5 years old.

Systems over 8 year of age: Unless the part is below $250.00 we suggest considering replacing the unit. If the condenser fan motor fails, it is possible that hidden damage is present. Your compressor depends on the condenser fan motor to remove heat from the unit. When the fan motor fails, it puts a tremendous amount of stress on the compressor and condenser coil. The compressor is similar to your car engine; overheating can damage both. If your unit runs for an extended period of time with the condenser fan motor out the compressor can suffer bearing damage and motor winding damage. The compressor is a sealed unit and many times the damage does not show up right away. Bottom line, you need to be sure all aspects have been considered before making a decision.

The evaporator coil is the other half of your air conditioner, and is located next to your heater. The air from the fan in your heater blows past the freon-cooled copper tubes of the evaporator coil, and distributes the cool air to your home through the ductwork. The evaporator coil also dehumidifies your air as the moisture from the air in your home condenses on the cold copper tubes.

A well-running evaporator coil cools the air passing through it by at least 17 degrees, and provides a clean, unobstructed piping system to dump the condensed moisture from the air into your plumbing system.

Signs that you may be having a problem with your evaporator coil include, but are not limited to:

1. Frozen copper lines

2. Water leak near your heater

3. Water dripping from a pipe on the side of your house

4. Warm or room-temp air blowing from your vents (when the a/c is running).

The following is a guidline you should use in determining whether or not to replace your evaporator coil.

Coils less than 5 years old

Your coil is most likely covered by a manufacturer's parts warranty. A badly leaking coil or a rusted out drain pan usually qualifies for replacement under this warranty. You will still have to pay labor, but the cost savings is sufficient to take advantage of the coil's warranty if you can.

Coils greater than 5 years old

Chances are, your coil is not covered by a manufacturer's parts warranty. The reason most coils do not have a longer warranty is that they are usually the first major component of your air conditioner to fail. They are constantly experiencing extreme tempurature changes in both the heat of summer, and the cool of winter. Most failures occur in the form of freon leaks that form over time and worsen as they continue to go unchecked. The problem usually isn't addressed until the coil has frozen over and stops cooling the house. This condition puts unnecessary wear-and-tear on the rest of your air conditioner, which is why regular check-ups are required by manufacturers for warranties to be honored.

Unfortunately, when a coil goes bad, the best option is to replace it. In some cases, a freon leak can be fixed by a certified HVAC technician. Most A/C companies will not warranty this type of repair because once a coil has sprung a leak, it is only a matter of time before another leak will form somewhere else. The cost of repair vs. replacement is a no-brainer.