Air conditioners have many moving parts that must be kept in peak condition so that they can provide the desired cooling effect to rooms. In some cases, you can increase the longevity of your air conditioner by having regular inspections and proper year-round maintenance.
But there are times when the air conditioner unit itself needs to be replaced. There is no one-size-fits-all rule that can let you know if it’s time to replace the unit. With that said, here are five signs that it’s time to replace your Air Conditioner.
It’s Really, Really Old
Older air conditioners are not as efficient as newer models. Experts recommend replacing your air conditioner if it is over 10 years old. As a general rule, you should definitely find a newer air conditioner if your older unit is over 15 years old. In many cases, this is the average life span of most older air conditioner models.
Repair Costs Are Mounting
Another great way to tell if your air conditioner should be replaced with a new one is the cost of repair. If the repair amount is over $5,000, it’s better to replace the unit with a newer model. However, if the repair cost is around $1000 and the unit is 10 years old, you should weigh the pros and cons of buying a new unit compared to replacing the older one.
If your air conditioner has been requiring a lot of repair work lately, then you’re probably looking at several more years of ongoing repairs. It’s just better to find a replacement at this point.
Your Room Isn’t As Comfortable As It Used to Be
Is your air conditioner struggling to keep your room properly cooled? This probably means that your cooling requirements have changed and you need something that can accommodate the new you. Or it could be that your air conditioner needs repairs. Regardless of the cause, you want to make sure that your air conditioner is doing its job. If it’s not doing as it’s supposed to, you should replace it with a new unit.
Inconsistencies in Cooling and Humidity
Excess humidity can make your room significantly more uncomfortable. Besides cooling your room, an air conditioner can also remove humidity from the air. If your HVAC unit is unable to do either of these things, either your unit is malfunctioning, or there are problems with the ductwork. It’s worth weighing the cost of repairing these problems and ask yourself if it’s just better to replace the whole unit.
The Unit Requires an R-22
R-22 is being phased out because it is regarded as an environmental hazard and can contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. So if your air conditioner uses this coolant, you should consider replacing it with a new one – for the environment.
More importantly, the price of this coolant has gone up because fewer vendors are providing it.
Need expert guidance on whether your air conditioner should be repaired or replaced? Get in touch with the experts at Sun City Air for more information.