When the weather turns warmer, we rely on our air conditioners to get us through the day. Whether you like to stand directly in front of one to feel the cool blast of the air in your face or you like to tinker with the dials to hit that perfect temperature, an air conditioner can help bring total comfort to your living space. That said, they can also be expensive, and when you have a million other things to spend money on, an air conditioner might seem like a purchase where you can find ways to save.
Used air conditioners are a viable option for those looking to spend less on an air conditioning unit. But is buying a used air conditioner actually worth it? Regardless of whether you buy a new or used air conditioner, keeping it protected is necessary so it's ready to use any time you need it. When you subscribe to Mulberry Unlimited, you'll get coverage for all you online purchases under the same product protection plan, so you and your products are ready for anything.
What are the advantages of buying a used air conditioner?
The most obvious advantage to buying a used air conditioner is that it costs less money. With brand-new units going for hundreds of dollars, many used air conditioners cost significantly less. For example, while a new Hisense air conditioner costs $299 at Lowe's, a used one is over $100 cheaper. Additionally, if you're saving up to buy a new air conditioner, or if your current one is broken, buying used can be a cheap way to stay cool in the meantime.
You can also buy a refurbished air conditioner instead of a used one, which is another great option. A refurbished AC will typically have a new motor, or might have only been used by a previous owner once or twice, so it operates like new. Although these will usually cost more than a used air conditioner, they won't cost as much as a new unit, and will likely be in better shape than an older, used AC.
What are the disadvantages to buying a used air conditioner?
The biggest disadvantage to buying a used air conditioner is the fact that it likely won't last as long or be in as good of shape as a new unit. There might be mechanical issues, dirty filters, low refrigerant levels, and more that can cause problems down the road, meaning you might have to buy another air conditioner mere months after your most recent purchase. This can end up costing you more money in the long run than if you just bought a new air conditioner in the first place.
Another disadvantage of buying a used AC is that they are often less efficient than newer units. While the average lifespan of an air conditioner is about 15 to 20 years, many start losing efficiency after 10 years. This can raise your electric bill because your AC is having to work hard and use more electricity to keep your space cool, and lead to fluctuations in airflow that prevent the unit from maintaining a steady temperature.
Finally, a used air conditioner likely won't be covered by a warranty, meaning you'll be left on the hook for any repair or replacement costs. Although it's possible you might be able to get a used AC that's still under warranty coverage, most units are old enough that the warranty period has passed, so you might end up spending just as much to pay an air conditioner repair service as you would on a new unit. For example, if the air conditioner capacitor stops working, you'll have to call a repair service to fix it for you, simply due to where it's located in the unit and the difficulty of getting to it. Little things like this can really add up.
Is buying a used air conditioner worth it?
Although there are pros and cons to buying a used air conditioner, ultimately it's not worth it. A used air conditioner, even if it's a reputable product like a Frigidaire air conditioner, likely won't last you beyond one summer, and the amount of money you'd wind up spending on repairs and replacements over time would exceed the savings you'd gain by buying used over new. Plus, with the efficiency issues that come with used air conditioners, the amount of cooling you'd receive would be far less than what you'd get with a new unit.
That said, if you're looking for a temporary fix, or saving up to buy a new air conditioner in the near future, a used AC can make sense. If you're looking to just buy one unit you can use around the house, a used portable air conditioner can even be a useful option. Unfortunately, buying used just doesn't make sense in the long run.
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