The air conditioning system in your house is responsible for much more than keeping you comfortable this summer. It also helps regulate the humidity level throughout the year and reduces airborne contaminants like allergens and mold spores.
It may be tempting to put off AC repair or replacement until the summer heat arrives, don’t wait that long because having it inspected once a year is one of the easiest ways to catch minor problems before turning into big ones.
Are you starting to think about replacing your air conditioner? But you are not sure if your system needs replaced or if it just needs maintenance. Or maybe the thought of sitting down with your HVAC contractor to discuss your AC installation checklist has you feeling guilty.
But when was the last time you had it inspected? What should you do? And more importantly, how can you tell if it’s time to replace it? First, ask yourself these questions: Do you have a noticeable lack of energy? Have you forgotten what it feels like to breathe easy? Are you feeling tired, uncomfortable, or cranky?
AC Heating Service of The Woodlands has all the information you need to make an intelligent decision about replacing your HVAC system. Keep reading to find out the ten signs that mean you need a new AC installed.
What Are Signs You Should Replace Your Air Conditioner?
1. Your Energy Costs Are Going Up
Did you know that your air conditioner can be causing you to waste energy and money? The truth is that your air conditioner might be using more energy than it should or performing poorly in other ways.
Your air conditioner is supposed to last at least ten years, and be the key to a comfortable home during the warmer months, but if it’s not running the way it should, you’ll be left with a higher electric bill and a unit that doesn’t function properly.
Your best bet is to stay on top of the energy costs associated with your HVAC system, watching for any increase in your utility bills that could signal a problem with your AC unit.
An excellent way to do this is to track your energy usage, specifically air conditioner energy usage, for a few months. It gives you a baseline for your energy costs and indicates you might need a new energy-efficient AC installed in your home this year.
2. Your HVAC System Is Old
As an HVAC company, we often hear from our clients that the problem with their air conditioner is that it is old. Old doesn’t necessarily mean an issue, but when we look under the hood of a 30-year old air conditioning unit, or unit installed in the ’70s, there is a good chance that several things need to be replaced.
One of the most common signs that your air conditioner needs to be replaced is old. The average life expectancy of a central air conditioning unit is 10-15 years. If your air conditioner is more than 15 years old, it is time to start thinking about replacing it.
3. Lots of Expensive Repairs
When you have a home air conditioner, you’ll need to have routine HVAC repairs performed on it. It is normal for your unit to need routine repairs over time to ensure it is working the way it is supposed to.
However, before you start having expensive HVAC repairs, it is crucial to understand what is causing your air conditioner to break down. The most common reasons AC systems have to have repairs are clogged filters, dirty coils, lack of maintenance, and blockages. These are also the main reasons that you will have to replace your air conditioner.
It may be time you consider having a new AC installed if you notice multiple components of your HVAC system or unit have to be repaired frequently in recent months. It makes no sense to keep paying for frequent repairs if they only last a short time for the unit’s life.
Your technician should be able to advise you about your system overall. While we realize that replacing a system is not always immediately on the budget, if your old air conditioner system or unit needs many repairs, the replacement is probably more economical.
4. Increased Running Time
Our air conditioners are a major investment, and they typically last about ten years or more. But as time passes, they naturally wear out. And the older they get, the more they have to work to keep the home cool. To compensate for this, they run more often and for longer periods.
Damaged coils, as well as a faulty blower motor, can be a reason for your AC struggling. So, before deciding on replacing your old air conditioner, double-check these parts.
If your coils and blower motor are in good condition, this indicates that your air conditioning system can no longer be as effective as it should be when producing and circulating the air in your home and office. As a result, it takes longer to reach the desired temperature.
To avoid running up your energy bills, you can install a new, high-efficiency air conditioner that will cool your home using less energy.
5. Loud Noises
There are a few reasons why an air conditioner may make a loud noise. If the unit is older, you may simply need to replace the belt inside the unit. If the unit is relatively new, you may need to have it repaired.
It may be that the refrigerator coils are malfunctioning, or there could be a problem with the compressor or fan.
Whatever the case may be, you should contact a professional AC repair service to take care of the problem and decide if you would need a new unit or repairs would do just fine.
6. You’ve Had More Frequent Breakdowns.
When is the last time you had to call a repairer to get your air conditioner working? For some, the answer is “too soon.” Although air conditioner breakdowns can be inconvenient, they’re sometimes not signs of a severe problem with your unit.
However, frequent breakdowns of your unit are abnormal, and there is a good chance they’re just a sign that your unit is aging and needs to be replaced.
7. Your Home Isn’t as Comfortable as It Used To Be
If you are feeling uncomfortable because of your air conditioner, then you have a problem. Many symptoms can be signs that the air conditioner needs repair or replacement.
If you’ve noticed that your home’s been feeling uncomfortably warm lately, whether the temperature outside is hot or cold, or you may be complaining about lights burning out in the house.
All of these could mean your air conditioner just isn’t doing a good enough job anymore, and it might be time to consider a replacement.
Schedule a service appointment with your local HVAC contractor today to secure your comfort before the spring or summer becomes uncomfortably hot for you, don’t wait for things to get worse.
8. Poor Air Quality
If your unit’s airflow and quality are poor, it could be due to a failing compressor. Your air conditioning components are starting to work, lots of dirt in the ductwork, or excess humidity.
Some of these signs may indicate that your system is beyond repair and requires a replacement unit, particularly if the problem is mold. On the other hand, your technician can replace any failing parts, clear the dirt in the ducts, and perform other necessary AC repairs to get your unit back to normal.
When you are concerned about the quality of your indoor air, have an AC repair professional thoroughly investigate and identify the source of the problem, and determine how extensive the solution needs to be.
9. Lack of Cool Air
If your air conditioning unit is not cooling your home properly a few minutes of turning it on, it may be time to replace your old unit., you should be feeling the cool air circulating your home or office. Otherwise, you may have an old and faulty AC system.
You can always contact an HVAC repairs team to schedule a maintenance check to further investigate. Your AC unit’s ductwork might have become clogged, in some cases preventing it from pumping out cold air. Regardless of the cause, your AC unit’s lack of cool air is a sure sign that it needs to be replaced.
10. Component Catastrophe
There are specific components of your air conditioner unit whose repairs can be excessive than expected. These components include the primary motor, compressor, or coil. If they fail, it might be time to consider a new AC system rather than repair it.
The labor and parts for these types of repairs can quickly add up. Replacing the component or the entire system may be more beneficial to the overall investment than simply repairing it.
Preparing to Install a New HVAC System
The decision about whether to purchase a new HVAC or to hire an HVAC company in the woodlands, texas, to install a new air conditioner system is one of the most important you’ll make. The right decision will help you stay comfortable all year round and save you money on your utility bills.
The wrong decision may not only cost you a lot of money but could make you and your family uncomfortable. And it could lead to long-term energy costs that are higher than necessary. So how do you make the right decision?
One of the best ways is to take the time to hire an HVAC expert to do the job perfectly. installation is not a job for the occasional DIY’er (do-it-yourselfer). After all, if you’ve ever tried to install a ceiling fan, you know that wiring can be complicated.
So, no matter how simple you think the installation of an air conditioner is, you should always call a professional
We make air conditioner installations easy for you
AC Heating Service of The Woodlands is a group of AC professionals who provide air conditioning installation services to residential and commercial clients.
We know that many people are interested in air conditioners but don’t know what they need to know to make an informed decision. That’s where we come in: we analyze your home or office and explain exactly what it needs to stay cool all year round.
Do you need air conditioning replacement services in The Woodlands, Texas. and surrounding areas? Do you have further questions to help you make an informed decision about getting a new AC system this year? Get in touch with us by calling our air conditioning experts directly at (281) 369-5980.