Has your air conditioner been acting up lately? Does it not produce as much cold air as it once did? Is it making loud noises or doing anything else you didn’t expect? Or maybe it seems fine, but you’re concerned because it’s old? It can be hard to know whether your air conditioning unit needs to be replaced, or if some simple repairs will suffice. Here are a few of the best signs to look for.
Age
Generally speaking, most air conditioners should be replaced every ten years. So if you’ve had yours for over a decade, it’s probably time for a new model. This ensures that it’s working properly and efficiently, which will save you money on your utilities bills each and every month. If you’re not sure how old the air conditioning unit is, you can usually find it printed somewhere on the label. If not, then search for the model online, check with the manufacturer, or call a trustworthy HVAC contractor.
High Repair Costs
Another sign that your AC unit needs repair is if you’ve had to have it repaired frequently or the costs of the repairs have been high. The last thing you want is to invest in a couple major repairs and then have the unit break anyway. In those cases, it’s much cheaper to invest in a new unit instead of footing the bills on the repairs. This allows you to save money on the repairs, and those savings can be applied towards a new air conditioner.
Efficiency
Along similar lines, if you’ve noticed that your air conditioning unit isn’t very efficient anymore, then it might be time for a replacement. Signs of inefficiency include loud noises or uneven cooling. So if you’ve noticed that some rooms still feel hot and humid when the AC is on, it could indicate an inefficient unit. In other cases, maybe all rooms in the home are getting cool, but it takes longer than it used to. For example, a few years ago you only had to keep it on for half of the day, but now you keep it on all day long. Similarly, if your utilities bills seem more expensive than they used to, your AC unit might be rapidly decreasing in efficiency.
If you’re noticing some of these signs, or if you’re not sure how to properly spot them, you can call in a professional to help. A dependable HVAC contractor will have the proper knowledge and equipment to run tests and determine the state of your air conditioner. The contractor can also help you understand whether it’s best to repair the unit or opt for a new one.
At Lowe Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, we’ve been in business for over a century. Our technicians are licensed, certified, and insured to handle a wide range of air conditioning problems. This includes inspections, maintenance, testing, repairs, and installations. We’re also happy to make specific recommendations about the air conditioning units that fit best with the needs of you and your family.
