Buying a new air conditioner is a big expense, we know, but, if you hold out until your unit goes “kaput”, then you may be wearing your wallet out unnecessarily premature. Here in Texas, during our hot Summers, our AC units work extra hard keeping our homes and businesses cool. If you’re wondering what warning signs there are that it’s time to replace your AC unit, here are a few signs to watch out for.
Higher than normal electricity bills
One of the first signs you’ll notice of a failing AC unit is that your electric bills have jumped. Taking into account the time of year (Summer is always higher), and your past payment history, if you’ve noticed that your bill has gone up, then your AC unit is working harder than it should.
Unit never shuts off / not keeping up in the heat of the day
A highly efficient AC unit runs for a time, then shuts off when it reaches your set temperature. This results in your AC unit shutting down and starting up numerous times during the day. If your AC unit never shuts off and can’t keep up during the heat of the day, then it is consuming more energy than it should to keep your house cool.
Unit needs multiple repairs outside of warranty period
Once a unit has outlived its normal lifespan, it will start to require repairs to keep it running. These repairs will eat into your budget over time and once you hit a certain threshold, then you’ve spent more money keeping the old one running instead of purchasing a newer, more efficient system that will save you money in the long run.
Age of system
Most AC units are designed to last 15 years. Well-maintained systems can push it to 20 years. If you go over either of those time-frames, you are running the risk of coming home one day after work to a house that has no air conditioning and will need to wait a few days or weeks before a new one can get installed.
System uses R-22 refrigerant (being phased out in 2020, prices are skyrocketing) and it needs a major repair
If your AC system is still using R-22 refrigerant, then you will need new equipment, as it will be phased out by 2020. With the upcoming cut-off date of manufacture, the prices of R-22 refrigerant has skyrocketed and soon, it will be less expensive to change out your AC unit to a newer model than to keep your old one running.
If you have any questions regarding any of these warning signs or you’re ready to install a new air conditioner, don’t hesitate to give us a call!
