How Do I Know If I Need To Replace My Air Conditioner?
It’s 90 for the third day in a row, with a forecast for more of the same, and your air conditioner stops working. Maybe it’s just stopped, or blowing warm air, or it’s on but no air seems to be moving through your home. In any case, it’s decision time. But how do I know if I need to replace my air conditioner?
Minor Issues v.s. Major Issues
Sometimes, air conditioning issues can be minor, and don’t need a full replacement. Generally speaking, you will want to consult a professional for some guidance, or at the very least for an inspection so you can make an educated decision about what to do when your air conditioning isn’t working properly. A simple part break or defect would be more cost efficient to replace, but when your refrigerant leaks or your compressor is not working, it’s more cost effective to replace the system.
The three main things to consider when making this decision include where you live, the age of your air conditioning unit and also how large the space you are cooling is. What worked well for your home when it was built may have been very efficient, but if your home has been added on to, it may be time to update and upgrade for efficiency. Some decide to replace their HVAC simply because they find that models available now are far more efficient and environmentally friendly than when their unit was first installed.
The Climate Around You
Homes in warmer climates will tend to use their systems far more often throughout the year. While they run their air conditioning for more months of the year, they also te
nd to be more used to heat and humidity and may keep their settings slightly higher than cooler climates.
For those of us in colder climates, we generally use our systems for less overall time but also keep it running at a lower temperature because we are not used to the heat and humidity year round.
Regardless of where you live, it’s good to consider your location before deciding if you should repair or replace your air conditioner.
Age Matters
How old the system is also part of the decision. Older systems may use refrigerant or coolant that has been phased out or is being phased out in favor of more efficient and/or more environmentally friendly options. This is important to be aware of because as these are phased out, they become harder to obtain for service calls and/or replacement, and will ultimately cost you more down the road.
The condition of the entire HVAC system needs to be considered when you are making this decision. A new unit isn’t going to be very effective if it has old ductwork that’s not properly sealed anymore. Have a professional come in and evaluate the system so that you can make an informed decision about what to do.
“When we moved into our home 3 years ago, we knew there were issues with the HVAC system. Ultimately, based on the overall system inspection and knowing our home had been sporadically inhabited for two full years prior to our moving in, we decided it was best to get a full HVAC install.”
Our professional technicians at Allgeier Air can help you to gather the information you need to make the right decision for your home. Call us for a (FREE) inspection (Or is there an inspection rate??) and check in on how your air conditioning system is performing today.
