When should I replace my A/C?
Below are some guidelines as to when it maybe time to replace that Air Conditioner. Wondering about how a timely replacement can actually save you money and trouble? When you rack up two, three, or more repairs. Often seeking replacement is a faster and less troubling solution, and far more cost effective than shelling out for three repairs that still don’t quite fix the issue.
The following reasons indicate why it might be time to schedule AC unit replacement:
1) AGE OF AIR CONDITIONER
The general rule of thumb is if your central air conditioning system is 10+ years it’s time to consider replacement. Cooling systems that are older than 10 years are far more susceptible to breaking down during the dead of summer when they’re forced to work overtime. As AC equipment ages the parts including wiring can deteriorate and all together.
2) FREQUENT AC REPAIRS
As your cooling system ages, you’ll probably notice more frequent repairs including major parts like the motor or air handler. When the repair costs are mounting, or you’re facing a very expensive repair, an AC repair verses replacement calculation should be performed. Bottom line is if your air conditioning system constantly needs repairs or if the cost of AC repair is a third or more of a new unit, it’s time to replace the old one.
3) COST OF REPAIRS
Air conditioner repair costs go hand in hand with the age of your air conditioner; if your equipment is over eight years old and it costs more than $500 to repair it—it’s worth looking at replacement. If your system is older than eight years, the repair cost could be less than $500 for a replacement to make sense.
4) CLIMBING ENERGY BILLS
If your AC unit doesn’t seem to be running as efficient as it used to or if you’re noticing a steady (or sudden) increase in your utility bills, your central air conditioner probably lost the gusto behind its efficiency. Older units in general were terrible about efficiency, however today the air conditioning systems available and far more energy efficient and can save you money on your monthly energy bills because they costs less money to operate compared to the older inefficient equipment. The initial investment in a high efficient air conditioning system or geothermal cooling system will cost more than a single stage air conditioning unit, but they can pay for themselves in just a few years. In fact, a newer energy efficient air conditioner can save you as much as 20% – 40% on your energy bills! Year after year this translates to significant savings, making the initial investment well worth it!
5) STRANGE NOISES
Odd noises are alarming, for sure. And in fact, they should be! The vast majority of strange or loud sounds will relate to component damage or extensive wear. Squealing and squeaks tend to be busted belts, banging and clanking is often loose or damaged parts, and buzz or hum noises are usually electrical issues. Left alone these can become seriously insidious and will only worsen, necessitating in at least AC repair, and just as commonly replacement.
6) UNEVEN COOLING
Uneven cooling and hot spots in the home indicate that your Milwaukee area home’s central AC system is having trouble in one of a few ways. The unit could be short-cycling and not getting the job done thoroughly—a common problem with systems that are oversized. It can also be an air flow restriction due to age or debris buildup, or even a refrigerant leak.
7) NOT COLD ENOUGH
Just not getting the cold air you need to stay comfortable in the heat of our scalding summer afternoons? If you aren’t getting what you need, you shouldn’t be paying for it! Systems that get too old often fail to cool well enough, as do improperly sized AC units. If you’ve been relying on a window air conditioner or a portable AC unit to keep your house cold, it might be time for an upgrade to central air conditioning. It is important that you actually stay cool and comfortable when you engage your system, so be sure to seek a professional for all of your installation services!
8) HARMFUL REFRIGERANT
R-22 refrigerant is harmful to our respiratory systems and the ozone layer. Beginning 2020 R-22 is prohibited for new air conditioning systems. If your system currently uses R-22, we recommend replacing. Keep an eye out for refrigerant leaks too—depending on the severity, a replacement may be needed.
Now that you know the warning signs, it’s time to decide if you want to take your chances and wait until your central air conditioning unit completely breaks down before looking into AC replacement costs.
While in this part of the country we use our heaters just as much as much as we do our air conditioners. We know those those uncomfortably freezing cool temperatures are something that we do not look forward to but they will be here before we know it. While our current daytime temperatures are certainly still high enough to warrant the use of our air conditioners, it is dipping down into the low 60’s and even the high 50’s during the nighttime hours. With that in mind, you should remember that those nighttime temperatures are only getting cooler from here on out.
In many homes, the HVAC vents have fins that can be adjusted with a sliding switch. These fins can be used to direct airflow at a particular angle, but if you push the switch all the way to the side, they can be used to close off the vent entirely. You might think that you can save energy by closing off the vents in unused rooms, but that’s not the case – not only can this cost you more on your utility bills, it can cost you more in repairs over the long haul.