Nobody likes the idea of losing their air conditioner during the summer. We’ve all become accustomed to being more or less comfortable in our homes even on the hottest days of the year, and when we are forced to go without air conditioning it can feel like torture. A well-maintained air conditioner will last between 15 and 20 years, but like everything else it will need to be replaced eventually. Here are some tips that will help you decide when it’s time for a new air conditioner.
1. Your Air Conditioner Is Over Ten Years Old
Although an air conditioner can last for up to 20 years with regular maintenance, you should start to consider replacing any system or unit that is over 10 years old. This is about when most HVAC systems start to lose their efficiency and when they become prone to breakdowns. Obviously, you don’t have to go shopping for a new air conditioner as soon as your current one turns ten, but you should start looking for signs that it isn’t working like it once did.
2. Your Energy Bills Are Going Up
One of the biggest reasons to keep an air conditioner in good working order is so that it works efficiently. An inefficient air conditioner costs more to run, and that will be reflected in your energy bill. If you start spending more money than you should to keep your home cool in the summer, it’s time to either replace your air conditioner or have it serviced.
3. Your Air Conditioner Requires Constant Repairs
Speaking of service, an air conditioner in good condition should be serviced about twice a year. You may need to call about other problems that may arise once in a while, but a repair person shouldn’t have to make too many trips to your home during the year. If you find that you need to call 2-3 times in one season about problems with your air conditioner, it’s definitely time to think of a replacement. It doesn’t make financial sense to constantly spend money on repairs on an old air conditioner when you could just buy a new one that will require much less maintenance.
4. Some Rooms Are Too Hot Or Too Cold
An air conditioning system that works throughout your entire home should affect every room evenly. There will be some temperature inconsistencies if you do things like turn on the oven in the kitchen or open a window, but for the most part your air conditioner should cool every room in your house evenly as long as they are connected via the ductwork. If you notice that certain rooms in your house are much cooler than others or that your air conditioning doesn’t seem to work in certain places, the problem could lie with your ducts or with poor insulation, but it could also be sign of a faulty air conditioner.
Basically, what you are looking for when you’re trying to decide whether or not to replace your air conditioner is signs that it is no longer working properly. These signs are actually pretty easy to notice if you know what you’re looking for, so pay close attention whenever you try to cool down your house this summer. New air conditioners will save you money in the long run on energy and repair bills.
