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We’re almost at the time of year when air conditioners will go on a long hiatus. That doesn’t mean you should forget about your own air conditioner, however. This might be the best time for you to replace your AC if it is finally reaching the end of its service life.
How will you know if this fall is the “best time”? When is it time for an AC installation in Riverdale, GA? We’ll examine this below so you’ll have a better idea if you’re ready to get a new air conditioner.
The service life estimate of an air conditioner
A central air conditioner has a service life estimate of 10 to 15 years. You’ve probably heard of some air conditioners lasting over 20 years, but this is rare. Even if an air conditioner is still working after 15 years, it won’t be running optimally and is at a much higher risk of an abrupt breakdown and expensive repair costs.
If your air conditioner receives regular annual maintenance, then it should make it past 10 years easily. Once it’s older than 10, pay closer attention to the other signs of decline that we’ll look at so you’ll know when it’s getting close to replacement time.
Dropping energy efficiency & rising electrical bills
One of the big warnings of an air conditioner that’s approaching the end of its service life is when it starts costing more to run than before. An air conditioner that’s regularly maintained will stay close to its original energy efficiency ratio for most of its life. When it reaches the last one or two years, it will start to lose efficiency, even with maintenance. When you see that your summer electrical bills are rising and you can’t account for it, then it might be time to install a new air conditioner.
AC performance problems
Did your air conditioner not cool your house as well as normal this previous summer? Maybe you had to set the thermostat lower to get the level of cooling you needed, or you had to constantly readjust the thermostat to find the ideal comfort. You might have noticed hot spots around the house or had family members complaining their rooms were too warm. If your AC is struggling to do its job and is already older than 10 years, ask professionals about whether to repair or replace it.
Too many repairs
One of the ways you can lose money to an old air conditioner is by paying for too many repairs. An air conditioner shouldn’t need to have repairs every year, and certainly not more than once per year. If the cost of a single repair is more than half the cost of getting a new air conditioner, then that’s not a repair you want to bother with—put that money toward the new AC!
Noise
Another good warning of an air conditioner that’s ready to retire is when it starts to make more noise than usual. A single odd sound often points toward a repair need, but generally louder operation means an air conditioner that’s worn down.
If you aren’t sure about the fate of your current air conditioner, reach out to our experts and we’ll help you with a professional opinion.
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