Here in Florida, we are fortunate to not have the drastic changes in seasons as our friends up north. While they transition from heavy coats to light jackets this time of year, our weather experience basically goes from, “it’s not too hot today” to, “wow, am I on fire?” Thankfully, a whopping majority of our homes are equipped with air-conditioners to ease the heat and make our springs and summers bearable, even more comfortable. But, what if your cooling system is aging, isn’t working right and may – gasp – actually need to be replaced? The horror!
The average A/C system lasts about 10 to 15 years. If yours is older than that and still going strong, congratulations! You got a great return on your investment and probably prepared your unit for a long life by changing the filters regularly and other routine maintenance projects we cover in our blogs. Those simple tasks can save you money and extend the usability of your A/C… however…
Nothing lasts forever, and A/C units are no different.
If during this spring you begin to notice your aging cooling system is working less efficiently than before, a simple tune-up or repair may not be enough. Sure, you may get a few more hours of life out of it, but calling a pro to keep fixing some ongoing issues will add up. Is your air-conditioner falling short and you’re not sure whether to repair or replace? Here are 4 telltale signs that it’s time to spring for a new A/C:
Sign 1: Is your A/C running? Better go catch it!
Your A/C system should not be running constantly to perform its cooling job. If yours does, however, it usually means the unit itself is too small for the space or it is getting too old and needs to be replaced. Continuously running means your HVAC is working much harder than it should and using more energy to keep your home at a comfortable temperature – leading to higher electric bills. So, you’re paying more and not achieving the comfort you desire.
Sign 2: Weird noises
There are a lot of working parts in an A/C system, but a quiet hum is what you will most likely hear from a healthy unit. When some minor clatters and buzzes start up, they can often be repaired, particularly if the unit is fairly new. But when louder sounds like screeching, groaning, rattling, knocking or scraping begin to blare, it’s probably time for air conditioner replacement. Not only are they annoying, but letting these noises carry on can lead to bigger, costlier jobs to maintain.
Sign 3: Go with the flow
So, you’re feeling cool air from the vents, but you’ve noticed that it isn’t circulating around the house the way it used to. This could mean any number of things, including issues with your AC’s compressor or blocked/damaged vents restricting air flow. While it’s possible to have a professional manage these repairs, they can be quite expensive depending on your system’s age and the extent of the issue. When the costs get too high, you might want to consider a new unit.
Sign 4: You see more of us than you’d like
We always love to see our clients return because they’re satisfied with the job we do and the high level of service we provide. But we also understand that calling a professional for ongoing HVAC issues can become bothersome – and costly. If you keep having problems and your system is out of warranty, replacement is a better investment. Not only are you shelling out money for repairs, but more than likely your energy bills are higher than they should be every single month.
The Badger Bottom Line
There’s no luck involved. By following these pure-gold tips, you can help prepare your HVAC system for the sizzling summer ahead. Remember, sometimes the simplest steps make the biggest difference. But if you are unsure of how to perform the tasks or are unable to reach the components that need attention, we recommend you call in a professional. By catching issues early, you can save yourself from those uncomfortable afternoons in the heat if your system breaks down – and the potentially costly repairs that go with it.