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Last Revised: 11/22/2024
When your AC system starts acting up, the first question on your mind may be, “How much do I have to spend to get this fixed?”
It’s true – exploring ways to save money by replacing just the component that’s no longer working is an understandable thought process. After all, why spend more than you need to? Especially when it’s just your indoor unit that’s failing, and you’re just looking to restore comfort to your home.
At Mattioni, our expert HVAC professionals are here to guide you through your home’s air conditioner repair and replacement process, as you evaluate your options.
The truth is that there are some benefits and drawbacks to replacing just your indoor AC unit, and your specific system and situation will play a big part in recommending what’s right for you.
This article will give you everything you need to know about this strategy: when it works, when it doesn’t, and why. After reading this article, you’ll have the knowledge you need to make the right decision for your household.
How Your Inside and Outside AC Units Work Together
Your air conditioning system has two main components: the inside unit (evaporator coil and air handler) and outside unit (condenser).
The evaporator coil utilizes either your furnace’s blower motor or a separate air handler to draw in air and absorb heat from your home. The heat is then directed via refrigerant towards the outdoor condenser, which disperses the heat outside.
The evaporator coil and condenser are designed to work together as a matched pair. This means if the indoor and outdoor units aren’t designed specifically for one another, it’s possible that the two may not be compatible.
Can I Replace Just My Indoor AC Unit?
Yes – it’s usually possible to replace just the inside unit of your air conditioning system. There are some potential compatibility issues you may run into, however, if you replace it with equipment made by the same manufacturer and the same tonnage as the original, it should be able to function properly.
For example, suppose you have a 2-ton Amana air conditioner, and your evaporator coil starts to leak. In that case, you should be able to replace it with a new 2-ton Amana evaporator coil with no compatibility issues. Moreover, your system’s performance and efficiency may improve, offering some immediate benefits to the partial replacement.
Replacing the evaporator coil typically costs around $2,000 – $3,000 and will get your system running again.
Some Indoor Units May Also Have an Air Handler
If you don’t have a furnace (maybe you have a heat pump, for instance), then your air conditioner’s indoor unit contains its own air handler and blower motor instead of borrowing the furnace’s blower motor. This can drive the costs of replacing your AC system’s indoor unit up into the $6,000 – $8,000 range.
In cases like these, the benefits of replacing your whole system may outweigh those of replacing just your indoor unit.
Why Replace Just Your Evaporator Coil?
If your AC system is less than ten years old, and the indoor evaporator coil begins to malfunction beyond repair, there is one major advantage to doing a partial system replacement: short-term cost savings.
You’ll be able to restore your cooling system’s functionality at a much lower upfront cost than a full AC replacement – in most cases, several thousands of dollars cheaper.
But just because it’s the cheaper short-term financial decision, doesn’t mean it’s always recommended. You should expect to encounter some problems if you opt for a partial replacement.
3 Expected Problems When Replacing Just the Inside Unit
Before you make any final replacement decisions, be sure to consider the negative implications of replacing just the inside unit.
1. More Rapid Efficiency Losses & Wear and Tear on the New Equipment
Modern air conditioners are designed as a system, with the indoor and outdoor units engineered to work together seamlessly. When one unit is replaced, the remaining older component won’t be able to keep up with the new one. Even if you replace your inside unit with the exact same model, the two units will have different levels of efficiency due to age.
While it may not happen right away, the new evaporator coil’s efficiency will decay faster than it would if it were installed as part of a new full AC system.
In other words, even if the indoor and outdoor units are compatible, partially replacing your system leads to higher energy bills and more wear and tear in the not-so-distant future.
Replacing just the indoor unit of your AC system will save you money in the short term, however it will cost you more in the long run.
2. The Domino Effect of Replacement
If either one of your two units is failing, the other one is likely not more than a few years behind. That means if you opt to replace just the inside unit, then you’ll have to replace just the outside one relatively soon after. This will force you to go through the hassle and additional expense of scheduling another replacement.
Then, at that time, you’ll be in the same situation – forced to decide to replace just one of the units or both.
You can start to see the domino effect of replacing half of your system at a time, and how it can compromise your long-term household costs. Having some foresight, for not just this AC replacement but for your next your next one too, can make a big difference for your home’s comfort, utility bills and installation expenses.
3. Potentially Voiding Warranties
Most HVAC manufacturers stipulate that installing a new indoor unit with an older outdoor unit will void the warranty on the new unit.
Remember that mismatched units are prone to causing an increase in wear and tear, so manufacturers protect themselves from any resulting repairs by voiding any warranties for systems that are mismatched.
Manufacturers typically require both units to be installed together to ensure the system meets their standards for efficiency and performance.
When Does Replacing Just the Inside Unit Make Sense?
There are two situations where replacing only the indoor unit is, without a doubt, the reasonable choice:
1. A Manufacturer Defect on a New System
If you replaced your entire air conditioning system within the last year and the indoor unit fails due to a manufacturer defect, the warranty should cover a replacement.
In this case, swapping out the defective unit likely makes sense because the rest of the system is still new and under warranty. Any efficiency or performance concerns should be negligible if the whole system is still new (under a year old).
2. You Have Set Plans to Move Soon
Opting to replace just your indoor air handler usually makes the most sense if you’ll be moving within a year. While having a new full AC system is a good selling point on the housing market, it rarely increases the value of your home.
Sol long as the new unit matches with the existing outdoor unit, replacing just the indoor unit is a good way to minimize costs if you won’t be around to enjoy the benefits of a full system.
What Does a Full System Replacement Offer?
Although replacing both the indoor and outdoor units at the same time is a more expensive option upfront, it will provide the following benefits:
- Optimal energy efficiency and lower utility bills
- Peace of mind that comes with a reduced likelihood of future breakdowns
- Full warranty coverage on the new system
- Better overall performance and reliability during peak weather conditions
Making the Right Call for Your Home and Financial Situation
It may be tempting to look into replacing just the inside unit since it’s the cheaper upfront option. However, it may not be the most cost-effective or practical option in the long run.
A partial system replacement will likely lead to inefficiencies, higher bills, hindered performance, and potential warranty issues. Unless you’re replacing a defective unit after a recent installation, we at Mattioni recommend replacing the whole unit.
It’s still your decision to make, however, and the financial benefit of replacing just one unit may outweigh the advantages of a full system replacement. Be sure to explore all financing options available before making a final decision – they may be able to make a full system replacement possible.
Many HVAC installation companies, including Mattioni, offer 12-month interest-free payment plans as well as other payment structures designed to minimize financial strain and help you secure your home’s comfort.
To get any questions about replacing your AC system answered, reach out to our friendly staff of HVAC professionals at (610) 400-8510, or book a free consultation directly online today.
