Home Maintenance Blog

Is it time to consider replacing your AC unit?

Posted by Andrew Balfour on Jun 7, 2017 5:05:44 AM

Air conditioners don’t last forever. Since it’s never fun to go without air conditioning, it’s a good idea to replace your air conditioner before it fails completely. Here are five signs that it may be time for replacing your AC unit.

It’s more than 10 years old.

Air conditioners may keep operating for more than 10 years, but the problem is, air conditioners made in the early 2000s used a refrigerant that is being phased out. Specifically, this refrigerant, known as R22, is only being made in very limited quantities and will be completely unavailable come 2020.

Though you can still find R22 now, it is very expensive due to its scarcity. If your older air conditioner starts leaking or needs new refrigerant, repairing it may cost more than buying a new air conditioner! So, you may be better off preemptively replacing your aging unit with a new one that runs R-401A, a more earth-friendly refrigerant that’s widely available at an affordable price.

Your energy bills are going up.

Older air conditioners were not made to be as efficient as today’s units. Plus, as air conditioners age, they become less and less efficient over time. If your energy bills are starting to creep up, it’s probably time to upgrade to a new, energy-efficient AC unit. Not only will your energy bills go down, but you can feel good about decreasing your carbon footprint.

Your AC is turning on and off in quick succession.

Your air conditioner should really only switch on and off a few times an hour, even when it’s scorching hot outside. If it’s turning on and off in rapid succession, this is known as short-cycling, and it’s often a sign that your air conditioner’s motor is overheating. While condenser fan motors can sometimes be repaired, making the repairs is rarely worth it if your air conditioner is more than a few years old and is not under warranty.

You keep paying for little repairs here and there.

One month a ball bearing needs to be replaced, and the next month your HVAC contractor comes back to repair a refrigerant leak. If you’re having to call for repairs again and again, the bills can really add up. You’re usually better off just replacing your AC unit with a new one that’s more efficient and backed by a good warranty.

Your home is not cooling to the set temperature.

Does your home never quite reach the temperature setting on your thermostat, even though your air conditioner keeps running and running? For instance, if you set your thermostat at 76 degrees and hours later, your home is still only at 79, this is probably a sign that replacing your AC unit is your best bet.

When you upgrade to a new, energy-efficient air conditioner, your home will stay more comfortable and you won’t have to worry so much about making repairs. To learn more about replacing your AC unit, contact the experts at Hassle Free Home Services.

Topics: HVAC Maintenance

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