Most people aren’t aware that their air conditioner is begging to be replaced until it conks out on them, usually during the hottest day of the summer. That’s not a scenario that anybody wants to be in, especially with temperatures rising steadily in the United States each year. With a little time (and help from this blog), you can learn how to watch for the warning signs of a failing air conditioner and avoid the unpleasantness of having to endure the summer temperatures without your precious A.C.
Billfish Air Conditioning, LLC understands that you can not always be prepared for a broken A.C., but if you plan ahead, you can find an ideal resolution that stays within your budget. With that in mind, read the following tips to find out when it’s finally time to upgrade your home’s air conditioner.
Your Air Conditioner Is More Than A Decade Old
A well-built and well-maintained central air conditioner can be expected to last around 12-15 years. Lifespan can be affected by various factors, such as using an oversized A.C. to cool a small house or an out-of-warranty compressor that’s been installed by an unscrupulous technician. Cheaper air conditioners are not built to last, so if you bought one years ago under the premise of saving money, you may sadly end up replacing it sooner rather than later.
If you bought your A.C. ten years ago or more, you may want to consider having a licensed HVAC technician take a look at it and offer some advice on what to do next. The general rule of thumb with a decade-old A.C. is “upgrade before it breaks down,” simply because repair costs for older air conditioners can be prohibitively expensive as outdated parts are phased out.
Your Utility Bills Are Costing You Too Much
If you notice that your utility bill has been increasing steadily over time, you may want to consider looking at a replacement. Take these facts into consideration:
- It’s not unusual for air conditioners to lose a bit of their efficiency over time, even with regular maintenance.
- The newest A.C.s on the market use 30-50% less energy than ones manufactured in the mid-1970s.
- Replacing an aging A.C. can reduce energy use by 20-50%, which means reduced cost for you.
Nobody likes paying too much for their energy bill. Replacing your air conditioner is one way to avoid unnecessary costs.
You’re Facing Expensive Repair Costs
You may have already had an air conditioning contractor look at your current A.C. unit, only to be presented with an overpriced bill that threw any thought of repair right out the window. In many cases, you can actually save money by replacing that aging unit outright with a brand-new product. Talk to your HVAC technician about your upgrade options.
Some Rooms In Your House Are Cooler Or Warmer Than Others
If you find that particular rooms in your house aren’t maintaining the same temperature compared to others, or that you are feeling a bit too much humidity in certain areas, it could be due to a few factors:
- The A.C. may be too small to properly cool your home
- The A.C. is dirty and needs maintenance
- The A.C. may be “overcooling” due to being oversized in relation to the square footage of your home
Contact a licensed A.C. technician and ask for suggestions; it could be that replacing the air conditioner is the cheapest option.
Your Air Conditioner Breaks Down Often
Do you constantly find yourself checking your A.C. because it overheats, cycles on and off repeatedly, or just act strangely? An air conditioner that breaks down on a regular basis is most likely in need of some serious maintenance or replacement. If you haven’t had a technician look at yours for a while, consider calling your local A.C. repair service to schedule an inspection.
Your Air Conditioner Uses R-22 Freon
Prior to 2010, almost all commercial air conditioners used a chemical called R-22 freon, also known as HCFC-22, as a refrigerant. R-22 is a chlorofluorocarbon that has been found to be highly damaging to the earth’s ozone layer. Due to this, A.C. units that implement it have slowly been phased out and replaced by more environmentally-friendly alternatives such as HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) and ammonia.
Not only is R-22 damaging to our planet, but it is inefficient compared to current alternatives. If you are concerned about your impact on the environment, you’ll want to consider replacing that aging R-22 air conditioner sitting next to your house.
Unsure of whether your A.C. uses R-22? Consult its user manual or talk to an air conditioning contractor.
You’re Just Not Comfortable In Your Home
Feeling sweaty and sticky, even when the A.C. is running at max? That could mean it’s coming close to the end of its usefulness and needs to be replaced, or at the very least maintained by a professional. Have an HVAC contractor do an inspection just to make sure; they will be able to tell you whether or not an upgrade is in order.
Always Trust Billfish Air Conditioning, LLC To Get You The Best Results
Whether you are in need of a brand-new air conditioner or are just looking for an experienced company to give you an honest consultation, you can trust Billfish Air Conditioning, LLC to get you the best results. With years of HVAC knowledge under their belts, the folks at Billfish Air Conditioning, LLC will do their best to offer you an affordable resolution that will fit your situation and your budget.
Contact Billfish Air Conditioning, LLC now for the best in residential service and installation, commercial maintenance and ductwork, and other HVAC needs.
