7 Easy Signs To Know If Your AC Unit Isn’t Doing Well

Did you know that as of 2016, there are about 1.6 billion air conditioner units in the world, but it’s expected to balloon by 244% by 2050? The demand is great for the industry, as it pushes out better technology to meet the demands of consumers while keeping it in line with the environmental goals of the world.

The newest models of air conditioning systems are almost always better than the old ones. Is it time to replace your AC with a more efficient model or is still good for repairs? That would depend on what you need done about repair jobs, but in general if an installation costs less then that’s usually how things play themselves out-the newer versions will be cheaper over the long run because they don’t come equipped with some pesky problems like clogged filters and dirty coils!

1. It’s Past Its Lifespan

An air conditioner’s lifespan is around 10 to 15 years, so if you’ve had it for that long, it may be time to replace it. Even if you’re not seeing major issues on your AC unit, it may still be doing more harm than good.

Units at that age will have broken down too often, forcing you to turn it in for repairs. At 15 years and beyond, you’re in for more repairs. As such, these repairs could cost you more than a brand new unit.

Furthermore, it won’t be as efficient as the newer models in the market today. Instead of spending money on repairs, you could use it to buy a new one instead that’s more efficient and more advanced.

2. Your Energy Bills are Rising

Your electric bills may be a good indicator if one of your appliances need to go. Check your past bills and see if they’re increasing even though the utility company hasn’t raised their rates. If it is, your air conditioner might be the culprit.

If so, you might need to replace it, especially if it’s old – even if it’s not breaking down on you yet. As mentioned above, old units are not as efficient as the new models. Hence, they consume more energy than the new ones.

3. It’s Not the Right Size Anymore

If you’re noticing that your AC is no longer cooling up the room like it used to, it may be time to replace it. Normal wear and tear and loss of efficiency are the usual reasons why it may not be in its best anymore. However, the increasing temperature in the whole world is also a factor.

If your house is old, you may not have the proper insulation to keep up with the temperatures today. In this case, you should buy an air conditioning unit with a bigger capacity to provide the same cooling effect as your old one years ago, when the outside temperatures are lower.

Make sure to get a contractor in Hacienda Heights who does the right calculations to see which size is right for your home. Some will only replace it with the same unit, assuming your needs haven’t changed.

4. It’s Not Cooling Your Home Enough

If you have a somewhat new unit, however, that should be able to keep up with the temperatures today, the problem may be in the unit itself. It could be due to a broken compressor, damaged vents, and other issues.

Have a professional look at it to pinpoint the exact problem. In most cases, though, you’ll have to repair or replace a part. In such cases, calculate how much it would cost you to go through the repairs. If it has major problems, the cost to replace AC unit might be lower than the cost of repairs.

The contractor would know if it’s more cost-effective for you to replace the whole unit instead.

5. It Still Uses R22 Refrigerant

If your AC is still using R22 refrigerant, you’ll need a replacement for it soon. The government is phasing it out in favor of systems that are healthier for the environment. Freon is detrimental to the ozone layer, and so it will become illegal by 2020.

What it means for homeowners is that by that time, they can no longer turn in their air conditioning unit for repair when the issue is the Freon. When it breaks down and repairing it is no longer legal, they’ll have to purchase a new system altogether.

If you can, however, you may replace your unit now if it’s not beneficial to the environment. You may also have it converted to use a better refrigerant. However, it might cost you less to replace it instead.

6. It’s Producing Unusual Sounds

When you hear grinding, booming or scraping sounds coming from your air conditioning system it could be a sign of major damage. The problem may require expensive repairs but there’s also the chance that this is just an issue with loose parts and duct systems not being large enough for homes like yours – in which case we recommend having them fixed by professionals instead!

7. There are Moisture and Leakage

An air conditioner leaks some water while running, and condensation around it is quite normal. If the leaking is a little excessive, though, it might be a sign that there’s a serious problem.

Sometimes, the drain and the pipes are clogging that causes water to spill into the house instead. The reason could also be as simple as a dirty air filter, which can cause the coils to freeze over. When the ice melts, the water in the evaporation pan will overflow.

Still, call a professional to check if it needs some repairs or if the leakage damaged some parts. This might also lead to a replacement AC unit.

When to Replace AC Compressor and When to Buy a New Unit

If you’re thinking about replacing your AC compressor, think twice what would save you more money in the long run. Contact us today and let us help you out in determining which is the right move for your home.