We’ve all experienced the dreadful realization that our air conditioning unit has stopped working – at 3 am no less. And as the warm Spring and Summer months approach, it’s more important than ever to know the status of your air conditioning unit, and whether it’s time to repair or replace it. And from knowing which system is right for you to pick the right time to take action, being knowledgeable about your unit will be helpful in its longevity. To avoid those annoying, disrupting air conditioning events as temperatures heat up, here’s what you need to know.
Check Your Air Conditioning Unit
In older homes, and when units are not properly maintained, air conditioning replacement is common. Oftentimes, your unit doesn’t need to be replaced but instead needs some TLC. Fortunately, there are some things you can look out to help you determine this and things you can address quickly to keep your system running efficiently for as long as possible.al.
Age of Your Air Conditioner
Knowing how old your air conditioner is can immediately tell you whether or not it’s time for a new one. According to This Old House, air conditioning units last from anywhere between 10-15 years. If you aren’t the original owner of the house and are unsure of the actual age of your system, a serial number attached should be able to tell you all of the cooling system’s information. If in fact your unit is beyond or close to that age, it’s recommended that you replace it entirely. This will help you reset the clock on its lifespan and ensure your comfort.
What Repairs Will Cost
According to All Systems Mechanical, you can do a little math beforehand to determine whether repairing your unit is even worth it at all. By calculating (Cost of Repair) X (Age of Old AC Unit in Years) < (Cost of Your New AC), you can make a preliminary assessment of your needs. If you’re unaware of how much it may actually cost to replace, use $5,000 in your calculations. If your number is higher than that total, they recommend replacing to keep costs as low as you can.
How is it Running?
Another telltale sign of your air conditioning unit’s health is how it’s running from day-to-day. You can check this in a number of ways, the first being by diving into your energy bills. More often than not, you can tell if your air conditioner is straining to work by increased energy bills costs. And companies like Energy Star even have a tool to help test efficiency. That’s why monitoring your bill is just as crucial as performing regular unit maintenance.
Can it Keep Up?
Because of the length of an air conditioner’s lifespan, unit technology has the chance to update many times while you are using the same system. This, paired with poor installation and unsealed, thin windows could lead to your air conditioning being out of date and unable to keep up with exterior temperatures. If rooms in your home are feeling hot no matter how low you turn the temps or how long you run your system, it could mean a replacement is needed.
How B&D Can Help
At B&D, we know heating and cooling. Our expert technicians are EPA-licensed to charge, evacuate and service all residential refrigerated systems. This allows us to provide an exceptional, thorough experience every single time, no matter the type of cooling system we’re working with. Not to mention, we have 24-hour emergency services available in case of a late-night air conditioning crash. Let our team of professionals take care of it all, so you can enjoy your home all year long. Contact us today.
