Air Conditioning, HVAC installation, HVAC Replacement
As the warmer weather finally descends upon us, it’s time to start looking forward to the summer. The hottest season means a few new tasks for homeowners to start thinking about.
Prime among them should be to check in on the air conditioning unit. The last thing you want during the warm summer months is to be stuck with an inefficient or broken cooling system. No one wants to feel sweaty and gross within the comfort of their own home.
But many homeowners also are unaware of when their air conditioner units may be on the way out. It’s essential to understand what signs to look for so you can perform an air conditioner replacement before it gets too hot. Read on, and we’ll walk you through everything you should be keeping an eye out for.
Excessive Noise or Dust
All homes have a little build-up of dust over time. But if there seems to be constant dust in your home, even after cleaning, it might be indicative of a bigger problem. This dust might mean that there are leaks in the duct work of your air conditioning system.
It might also mean that the air filters in your system are no longer functioning. They may need to be cleaned or replaced. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to clean or replace your air filters every thirty to sixty days. If you have pets in your home or suffer from allergies, you may want to do this even more frequently.
Not only does a clogged filter help spread dust around your home, but it means your air conditioning system is not performing at peak efficiency. Leaks in ducts can increase operating cost and decrease cooling ability– the worst combination possible.
If your air conditioning system is excessively noisy, it may be because your duct system isn’t large enough for the size of home you’re attempting to cool. Replacing might be your best option when it comes to restoring peace and comfort.
Your Home Isn’t Comfortable
Perhaps the most obvious and important factor to look out for is also the simplest. You don’t feel comfortable or cool in your home, even with the AC on.
Your air conditioner’s job is to remove humidity from the home. Excessive humidity can make one very uncomfortable. When humidity is removed, your unit should be able to maintain a constant temperature around the house.
If you’re experiencing inconsistencies in the temperature or level of humidity in your home, it likely means there are issues with your cooling system.
In some cases, the cause of these problems might be worth repairing instead of calling in for a full replacement. But if you compare the cost of repair to replacement, you might realize it’s worth the investment to start anew.
Repair costs, especially for air conditioning systems, can quickly add up. If you’re having to call often for a repair, these costs can quickly become more burdensome than the cost of a new unit.
Your System Is More Than a Decade Old
The average lifespan for an air conditioner unit is between ten and fifteen years. As your unit begins to hit its decade-old birthday, you might begin to witness signs of deterioration.
Efficiency is the first thing to fail when it comes to old air conditioning units. Many older units are also out of date with current standards or regulations. For example, many old units contain a refrigerant known as R22. This refrigerant is being phased out and not found in new units, as a form of environmental protection.
But a limit of R22 availability also makes these older units harder and more expensive to repair. At about ten years old, it might begin to make more sense to replace your unit than to continually repair it.
Your Expenses Are Rising
An inefficient air conditioning unit is likely to cause more issues than a little sweat. It can also hit you where it hurts the most: your bank account.
Take a look at your utility bill each month. Is your total steadily rising, without any change in behavior from you? This isn’t some sort of magic trick. It’s a result of an aging or faulty air conditioning system.
Your system is simply no longer as efficient as it should be. It’s taking more power and energy to run, and thus, ratcheting up how much you’ll owe to the utility companies. An efficient system can help keep that money in your pocket where it belongs.
This is another huge cost that an old air conditioning unit can tack on to your life. This total, combined with the cost of frequent repairs, can be quite staggering. Replacing the unit can help you start fresh. Not only this, but a new unit can actually increase the resale value of your home.
Considering Air Conditioner Replacement
No one wants to be in a hot or stuffy home. And yet, so many homeowners don’t take the time to properly understand their air conditioning systems. Many live with units that are no longer efficient or are eating away at their bank accounts.
An air conditioner replacement can actually save you money in the long run. If you’ve noticed any of the above warning signs in your home, it may be time to replace your home’s unit.
Have questions about what installing a new unit might entail? Give us a call anytime. We’d be happy to walk you through the whole process.
