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AC Replacement in Frisco and Surrounding Communities
Deciding to Replace Your Air Conditioner
Difficult decisions like AC replacement are part of being a homeowner. Most people have heard that investing in your home will increase its value but deciding how and where to upgrade a home can be tricky. There are many options to consider. Should the kitchen be updated? Maybe the basement should be finished? The list can be endless.
The decision-making process can be even more complicated regarding your HVAC system. Unless you’re a skilled technician, it can be challenging to tell whether a faulty air conditioner can be fixed by simply replacing the thermostat or if the repair will be more extensive. For older units, the decision often comes down to whether the unit should be repaired or replaced.
Deciding to replace your old air conditioner is an important decision. Most modern units can last around ten to fifteen years, so you must choose the proper unit for your home’s needs. Selecting a new unit shouldn’t be a hasty decision. Research your options, so you’re confident that you’ve made the best choice. However, if your unit malfunctions on a hot day, you won’t have time to research options — you’ll need to act quickly.
The good news is air conditioners almost always show signs of failure before they do fail. If you pay attention to the unit’s operation and notice anything unusual, you can start planning for a new unit before it becomes an emergency purchase.
Top Four Signs You Should Replace Your Air Conditioner
The Air Conditioner is Ten Years Old or More
Because air conditioners are exposed to debris and extreme temperatures outside, their life expectancy doesn’t measure up to other appliances inside your home. While modern air conditioners typically last around 15 years, older units usually suffer reduced performance and reliability after about ten years. If your unit is starting to get old, it would be a good idea to start preparing for the inevitable, purchasing a new unit.
The condition and efficiency of your air conditioner depend on many factors, but one of the most important is whether the unit was properly maintained throughout the years. How often the unit gets used, whether the unit is the correct size, and how hot and humid the climate has been can all have an affect on an air conditioner’s lifespan. A lack of regular maintenance can shorten the unit’s lifespan.
If you take proper care of your air conditioner, you anticipate needing a replacement after about 10 to 15 years. Something to keep in mind is that as your unit ages, its parts can become obsolete or unavailable over time. If you can’t find replacement parts to repair your air conditioner, you may have to purchase a new one.
Frequent Air Conditioner Malfunction
Many issues with air conditioners are directly related to a lack of maintenance, so keeping up with routine servicing will help prevent breakdowns. Professional technicians can find and correct issues with your unit before they become more significant problems.
Remember that it can still experience system breakdowns even with proper maintenance. If this happens with your unit, you may need a replacement and should begin planning in case your unit stops working entirely. Repeated breakdowns mean repeated repairs, and the cost of repairs can quickly add up. It might get to the point where it makes more sense financially to purchase a new air conditioner rather than wasting money on additional repairs.
Energy Bills Have Increased
Unless there are unexpected changes in your energy usage, your energy bill should be about the same amount every month, fluctuating slightly depending on the season. If your monthly bill drastically increases despite your temperature remaining the same, it might indicate it’s time for a new unit.
Higher than average energy bills can mean your unit is losing efficiency or malfunctioning. Receiving a higher bill occasionally isn’t cause for concern, but if your bill goes up and doesn’t come back down, you may need to start looking into a new unit.
The Air Conditioner Uses R-22 Freon
The United States government no longer allows the production of R-22 Freon because it has negatively affected the environment. If you own a unit over ten years old, it likely uses R-22 Freon.
If your air conditioner uses Freon, you can continue using it for the time being. However, you should start planning for a replacement. There won’t be any Freon available if your unit has a problem that requires a Freon refill as part of the repair. If that happens, you’ll have to replace your unit with one that doesn’t use R-22.
A new air conditioner doesn’t have to be a surprise purchase. You can tell when it’s time to plan for a replacement by paying attention to your unit’s operation.
Contact us if you think your unit is getting close to breaking down. Our skilled HVAC technicians can help you find the proper AC replacement for your home’s price range and needs.
