Air conditioning units are designed to operate for a long time. Even on the shorter end, the life expectancy of the average AC unit is around 15 years, which is around the same time that a good water heater is expected to last.
Still, if you've noticed that your AC unit is working a little harder than necessary, it may be time to consider an AC replacement. Thought it might cost you a little more than you're wanting to spend, a new AC unit replacement will pay for itself over time in the form of lower energy bills and less frequent repairs. Below are a few signs that you should pay attention to.
Constant Noises In Your Vents
Like everything else in your home, eventually, the parts in your AC unit will start to deteriorate. The bolts that are holding your ductwork together might pull apart, or your compressor and coils may become loose. Either way, you should not be hearing any noise coming through your air conditioning vents; if you do, it's time to get it looked at and consider getting the whole system replaced.
More Frequent Repairs Than Normal
It's inevitable that repairs will need to take place, but if you find yourself calling the HVAC repair tech once every few months to check on your system, it's a good sign that you might need to get an AC replacement instead. Those constant repairs are going to add up over time, and the older the unit gets, the more frequent the repairs will be. A good rule of thumb is that if your repair costs more than 50% of the cost of a new AC unit, you should get the whole system replaced.
Less Powerful or Nonexistent Cold Air
Your AC unit exists for one purpose: to deliver cold air throughout your house. If it's not doing that or if the vents are not blowing as strong, one of the problems could be collapsed ductwork. If that's not it, have an HVAC tech check the condenser coils or the compressor. Though any good repair man will be able to fix these issues with relative ease, the cost of doing so may become prohibitive.
Certain Rooms Aren't Getting Cold
Your thermostat is the device responsible for regulating and controlling the airflow throughout your house, so if certain rooms aren't getting cold, the very first thing you should check is the thermostat. Make sure it's in proper working order; if not, then you've found a relatively inexpensive fix. If it's working fine, then you might need to get a full AC replacement. Talk to your local HVAC professional to discuss possible options.
If you need an AC unit replacement, reach out to a local HVAC technician.
Share10 August 2020
While sitting in my living room on a hot summer day, I could feel the heat coming through the ceiling out of my attic and making the house warm up more than it should. I crawled up into the attic one evening to find out that the roof vents weren't working any longer because they were clogged with all sorts of debris. Did you know that when this happens, your home's temperature can rise to very uncomfortable levels? Did you know that your home could actually be damaged if the attic isn't well vented? This blog will show you all about attic ventilation.