My AC guy recommended that I replace a 40-yr old AC unit. However, it appears to be working just fine and cooling down the house. He said it has 3x the amp draw than a new unit does. Since the tenant pays utilities (this is a SF house), it would be on them, but I don't want them to be upset with a high electric bill (Note: they just moved in, and I bought the house back in Sept so I've not had it through a summer yet). This is in central IN, so it will be hot but not like FL or AZ. What would other LL's do? I don't really know how much worse their electric bill might be.

I would seriously consider a new one.

In my area, electricity rates are higher in the summer so the bill would be worse than might be expected.

If it works, let it be for now.

There is no telling what the tenant may like. They might be fine with the inside temp higher than you like it. They might be from an area where rates are high and are used to high electric bills. You never know. Also, most utility companies have programs as well to average costs over the year for them.

A 40 year old ac Freon is much more expensive that Freon for new systems. I wouldn’t spend any money repairing this unit other than electrical component replacement.

Are you asking which is better 1) Planning an upgrade during the week when you know the exact price or 2) Duct taping a repair over the weekend with an added cost on a system that obsolete.

I would let it keep working, while setting aside money to replace in the off-season.

As long as energy efficiency is the only issue, and it is working fine.

I would be willing to risk that it will make it through the summer. But, if it breaks down - unless it's a minor part - it will be replaced, even in the summer.

Don't replace until the refrigerant leaks or the compressor quits.

Put in your lease that you do not guarantee that the AC will work.

If the central AC system breaks on the weekend or holiday, wait until it is convenient to get it repaired.

A friend with his only rental asked me the same question. Repair or replace their 35 year old central air/heat system.

We don't fix what AINT BROKE. Make sure the coils are clean - drain is clear and new filter.

As far as when it breaks-- someone wrote "on weekends". Well the odds are about 24% that might happen-- but realistically who cares--? The standard LL response is "I'll try to get someone there Monday or let me see if I can find someone to look at it-- but lets not forget the parts places are closed-- so wait til Monday.

I just purchased 90 lbs of R 22. It was 649.. Per bottle and 30lbs per bottle. Systems take max about 5 lbs.

In the real world-- your unit has probable only experienced 10 years of use compared to AZ,FL or GA and TX where the AC runs for 6 months straight. IN gets about 1 month a year of REAL USE.

If your system breaks down-- a serious break-- then evaluate replacing system-- otherwise-- we don't fix what aint broke.

As far as who is paying utility bill -- someone has paid the first 40 years?

Lessons learned from a Florida landlord. A big regret is having replaced a 25 year old AC unit.

Having dozens of units every unit I’ve ever replaced since 2008 or so has had issues (failed compressors, fan motors, leaks, etc..).

I have only three left that are 20 years old. They are the only three that have never, ever given me a single problem,

I have a system in a personal residence I own in Georgia as well that’s 22 years old. Based on my AC experiences I will not replace it until it gives me problems.

They absolutely don’t make them like they used to. And even in the summertime my electric bills in Georgia are not high.

Let's break this issue down into pieces...

1) There is an old AC unit that still works. No problem there in and of itself.

2) The older AC draws 3x more power than a newer one. No problem there in and of itself. I would double check what you were told. AC guy might be shooting from the hip. You need to know what the BTU rating and amp draw is for this unit and then go make an apples to apples comparison with a new unit. This can all be done by looking at the "plate" on the the old AC unit and then researching a comparable unit online. I could see 2x the draw, but 3x? Most small modern window AC units (5000 btu) only draw 7 amps. Larger units draw up to 12 amps. If this one draws 3x the amount, that would be between 21-36 amps. Hard to believe something that power hungry would be in an older house.

*** Btw, be sure to check if this is a 220-v or 110-v unit. If he's comparing 220-v to 110-v, yeah, that's going to make a big difference. 220-v will cool a lot quicker than 110-v and will be better able to "keep up" when temps get really hot and humidity is high. ***

3) If there actually is a higher electric draw, the tenants might balk at the high electricity bill. Irrelevant. The tenants were given the opportunity to inspect the unit prior to renting and found it satisfactory at that time. You are under no obligation to increase the efficiency of heating, cooling, electrical, or plumbing systems/fixtures during a tenancy, unless they substantially deteriorate to a lesser degree of functionality and/or no longer are safe to operate "as is".

I look at an R 22 system and I see plumbing pipes-- pressures are 65 and 200 psi.

Now look at new 410A system. Plumbing is tissue paper thin (to save money) but the pressure's are twice the R-22.

There junk.....

When a system of R22 breaks dow-- you have to eval the whole situation for cost.

A 410 system: you can't use old parts from R22 in 410 replace. Just parts 2 ton outside unit 1000.00-- the inside A coil 300.00. New copper pipes (due to resize) 200.00. Re charge with 410A 100.00. ( New 410 system comes pre charged from factory so you don't need to put 5 lbs in the system). Now the labor 3 to 4 grand.

If your 40 YO system has clean coils and properly working fan motors and capacitors, there is no way it draws 3 times as much power as a new system. Definitely more, but not 3 times more.

My personal residence has a unit that is 35 years old. It's less efficient than a new one but the number of 3x less efficient is a gross exaggeration.

I have a nice building with two units and central air. One person on each floor needs to keep cool due to medications or the meds don't work.

allym i don't mean to pick but what did people do before AC?

My first 11 years in Atlanta I lived in a 2 story with no AC. I worked nights-sleep in day time.

MYOB:

"What did people do before AC?"

It's not really that comparable. Before AC, houses were designed differently. They had transom windows above each door that let the heat escape, ceiling fans, windows with screens, porches that not only let homeowners sit outside, but also to shade the sun from entering windows. Also the house wasn't as sealed or insulated as they are now so the house breathed and heat escaped. Houses were also designed to take advantage of cross breezes.

Lauren,

Good question.

(reminder: HVAC techs work on commission) But his advice is solid in this case.

Me? If it ain't broke...

2 small window AC will take the edge off a whole house for a few days waiting for a replacement.

BUT...

each day I am getting messages that _____ is out of stock due to manufacturing shortages. Car manufacturers cannot ship new cars because they are waiting for a certain computer ship to finish the car.

I would consider swapping it now if the replacement unit is available...because it might not be next week.

Just a thought.

I would keep old and have window units available in case it goes down to buy time for a rational decision. As above old stuff was built to last and new stuff is built to break. I recently was hunting a new water heater and noted that now in addition to 12-9-6 year warranties, you can but a water heater with a 1 year warranty. Huh?

My old refrigerator was 26 years old when I replaced it with an energy efficient frig. New frig had a 2 year warranty and it made it 2 years and 10 days.

well I remember during a heat wave, our AC was broken and the repair people were backed up for weeks. I learned a few things. We already had a hi cap fan (about 50.00 at HD)

I found this trick if you put it on a small table about a foot and a half back from an open window, it can double the air going out as the sides create a vacuum venturi effect and if you set it on Hi and open a window or two in a distant window, in the house .you get a wind going thru your house (Only do this in the morning/night IF the temp is lower,..turn it off before the temp rises ) Close up the house to keep the heat/humidity out and have a box or pedestal fan trained rt on you.

Its amazing how a simple fan can keep you cool if trained rt on you.

It might not always be convenient if you have to move around to keep the fan trained rt on you, but if you get overheated, just make sure you move the fan to do this.

It can also save considerable $$ on your summer AC bills by not having to run it as much.

"I swear these newer appliances have computer chips in them that tell them to self-destruct just after the warranty expires"

Ha! thats interesting! I really never thought of that,..I suppose it could be done.

I'm not usually a conspiracy guy but have suspected the same with some of the computer "cleaners" that leave hidden things that make you dependent on them.causing problems at some time in the future.. I guess I base this on having 3 of them and after say,.using one, I find one of the others find what they say is malware that reoccurred every time I do this.