Being a home-owner means making powerful selections. We’ve all heard that investing in a house will increase its worth, however deciding the place and do it may be difficult. Must you replace the kitchen? End the basement? The reply isn’t at all times easy.
Relating to your air con system, the decision-making course of will get much more sophisticated. Except you’re a educated HVAC skilled from a dependable firm, like Kan-Service firm, it may be difficult to find out whether or not a defective air conditioner wants a brand new thermostat battery or a extra intensive restore. For householders with older air conditioners, the choice typically comes down as to if to restore the unit or change it fully.
Deciding whether or not to interchange your previous air conditioner is a giant choice. Trendy air conditioners can last as long as fifteen years, so choosing the proper unit to satisfy your property’s cooling wants is crucial. It’s not a call it’s best to make rapidly. However you will have no selection in case your previous air conditioner breaks down on a 105-degree day. You’ll need to decide quick.
Like an previous automotive, air conditioners present indicators of failure earlier than they break down. By taking note of the efficiency of your previous air conditioner, you can begin making ready to purchase a brand new unit earlier than you want it.
Listed below are 4 important indicators that your air conditioner is nearing the tip of its life.
1. Your Air Conditioner Is Extra Than Ten Years Outdated
It might appear apparent, but when your air conditioner is getting previous, it’s best to begin making ready to purchase a brand new unit. In contrast to furnaces, air conditioners are sometimes open air and uncovered to excessive temperatures all year long, which shortens their lifespan. Trendy air conditioners can final greater than 15 years, however older fashions final about 10-12 years.
The well being and effectivity of your air conditioner depend upon a number of components, together with how effectively it has been serviced or how typically it has been in service. When you have missed your annual upkeep and the filters in your system are soiled, your air conditioner will likely be below pressure and may very well be within the purple.
Age may also have an effect on how effectively your air conditioner cools your property on the most popular days. Understanding whether or not the air conditioner is appropriately sized and appropriate in your residence is crucial.
When you have maintained your air conditioner in good situation all through its life, anticipate to wish a alternative after about 10 to fifteen years. Remember the fact that as your air conditioner ages, its mechanical components could turn into inaccessible or out of date. You need to purchase a brand new unit if you happen to can not change a damaged half.
2. Your Air Conditioner Breaks Down Typically
When you have your air conditioner serviced by a certified technician yearly, it shouldn’t break down in the summertime. An absence of upkeep causes many widespread air conditioner issues, and sustaining your air conditioner will assist stop them. HVAC technicians may also determine and repair any points your air conditioner could also be experiencing earlier than the summer time season begins.
With all this stated, in case your air conditioner is experiencing quite a few breakdowns regardless of common upkeep, that is trigger for concern. It’s possible you’ll not want to interchange your air conditioner instantly, however it’s best to begin making ready for it in case your unit breaks down.
Frequent breakdowns additionally imply frequent repairs, which may add up in value. At a sure level, shopping for a brand new unit could also be more cost effective than spending cash on costly repairs, particularly if the guarantee has expired.
3. Your vitality payments have elevated dramatically
If there have been no drastic modifications in your house’s vitality use, your vitality invoice ought to stay roughly the identical every month, with a slight fluctuation throughout furnace and air con seasons. In case your vitality consumption habits have remained the identical, however your month-to-month invoice has elevated noticeably, it might be time for a brand new air conditioner.
Larger vitality payments could point out that your air conditioner is both shedding effectivity or is getting previous. Vitality effectivity tends to lower as an air conditioner ages, so the 2 points could also be associated.
Getting a excessive vitality invoice a couple of times isn’t a trigger for concern. Nevertheless, in case your vitality payments are rising and never taking place, you might wish to begin searching for a brand new air conditioner.
4. Your Air Conditioner Makes use of R-22
Freon manufacturing has been discontinued. This may increasingly not look like a giant deal, however it might affect your property greater than you suppose! In case your air conditioner is over a decade previous, there’s a great likelihood it incorporates a refrigerant referred to as R-22. R-22 has been proven to have damaging environmental impacts, and the Environmental Safety Company is phasing it out.
In case your air conditioner makes use of this refrigerant, don’t panic. You’ll be able to nonetheless use it after 2023. Nevertheless, it’s best to begin making ready for a alternative. In case your air conditioner fails after 2023 and requires a refrigerant refill, R-22 will now not be accessible. On this case, you’ll want to interchange your air conditioner with a safer, trendy refrigerant mannequin.
Shopping for a brand new air conditioner doesn’t need to be a shock. By monitoring your unit’s efficiency, you may decide when to begin making ready for a alternative.
In regards to the writer
The Handyman Suggestions Group is a bunch of authors that gives recommendations on the Handyman Suggestions web site. The Handyman Suggestions crew consists of actual handymen, contractors, carpenters, woodworkers, and specialists in residence repairs, equipment repairs, and landscaping. The crew is at all times there for guests to the Handyman Suggestions web site. Should you can’t discover the reply to your query on the Handyman Suggestions web site, one in every of them will reply to you virtually instantly if you happen to contact them by means of the Ask the Handyman web page!