Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Air Conditioner

With increasingly hot temperatures during the spring and summer months, a good quality air conditioner is crucial to the comfort and well-being of your household. Homeowners often prefer the idea of repairing their current unit rather than replacing it with a new one, but there are some tell-tale indicators that it’s time for you to replace your air conditioner. Here are 6 signs that it’s time to replace your AC unit. 

1: The Unit Is 10 years Old Or More

You may feel that “old reliable” has been working properly since you first bought the house, but the fact of the matter is that as air conditioners age, they decline in effectiveness. A well-maintained AC unit can last for a long time, but the average air conditioner needs to be replaced after 10 years. Around the 6 to 10 year mark your unit will start to have small problems and it won’t run as efficiently as it did in the first half of its life. 

High quality units will last longer than low quality AC units, provided you keep up with the essential services to maintain your unit such as: 

• Checking the electrical connection of the unit
• Cleaning and replacing the air filters
• Getting rid of debris and dirt on the evaporator coils and drainpipes
• Checking the Freon levels
• Inspecting the compressor

It’s imperative to the lifespan of any cooling unit to have proper maintenance and repairs done on a regular basis. If your unit hasn’t presented any problems by the 10-year mark, be aware of the age and know that you may need to replace it in the near future. 

2: Replacement Vs. Repair Costs

It might be tempting to opt for a repair service instead of buying a new AC unit, but sometimes it is more cost efficient to replace your air conditioner with a new model. A good rule of thumb used in the industry is the $5,000 rule. 

Multiply the age of your unit by its estimated repair cost and if it’s over $5,000 dollars, you should replace it. For example:

• If a 7-year-old unit needs $500 of repairs done (7×500 = $3,500), you could decide to get repair services done on your unit instead of replacing it. 
• If the 7-year-old unit needs $1,000 of repairs done (7×1000 = $7,000) you should replace the unit all together. 

Being conscious of if your air conditioner has been functioning properly as of recent will help you make this decision. As always, consulting an expert will help you learn more about how to take care of your AC unit and when it’s time to upgrade to a newer model. 

3: High Energy Bills

If you have noticed that your energy bills have increased for no obvious reason and your AC unit is quite old, your air conditioner may be the culprit. As air conditioners age, they become less efficient and require more energy to function. The unnecessary energy costs to keep the old unit functioning are avoidable since a new model will run frictionlessly at a predictable price. Rather than have your old unit continue to drain high amounts of energy, consult a technician for a budget-friendly upgrade. 

4: Your House Isn’t Cooling Properly

An easy way to spot that it’s time to replace your air conditioner is if your house is uncomfortably warm in the spring and summer months. This is an indicator that your AC unit isn’t working properly and it’s time to get it replaced. You may be tempted to seek out repairs, but an expert can advise you on whether it’s time to replace the unit with a new model, based on the age, history of maintenance, and overall cost. 

5: Your AC uses the R-22

Older AC units use something called an R-22 refrigerant. If your air conditioner uses this, this is a sign that it’s time to upgrade to a new model. R-22 refrigerant causes immense environmental damage which is easily avoidable as there are new AC units that use updated technology. Additionally, the price of the R-22 refrigerant is quite steep since the product itself is no longer produced. Using a discontinued product will only increase your overall energy costs, creating unnecessary expenses. New air conditioners are highly energy efficient, which means lower energy bills and greater savings.

6: Your Unit Makes Strange Noises Or Leaks

It’s not a ghost in your house, it’s your air conditioner! Air conditioners are designed to run quietly and the noise they produce shouldn’t be overly noticeable. If you hear any of the following noises coming from your unit, something is wrong, and you should call a technician immediately. Be on the lookout for: 

• Clanging
• Buzzing
• Banging
• Clicking

Furthermore, if your AC unit is leaking water, this is a sign of a very big problem. Leaks can cause mold and mildew in your home, resulting in greater damage. If you spot any leaks, book an appointment with an expert straight away. 

Conclusion 

Keeping on top of AC repair and knowing when it’s time to replace your air conditioning unit is a key part of being a homeowner. We all want our cooling systems to run properly so we can avoid superfluous expenses, damages, and stressful situations. Making the choice to replace your AC unit can feel overwhelming, which is why consulting a specialist is your best option.