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Central air conditioning systems are large, powerful appliances that play a critical role in managing the summer heat. They aren’t inexpensive items you can decide to swap out on a whim: you want your AC to last for as long as possible before you schedule a new AC installation in Vidalia, GA.
The good news is that an air conditioner that receives proper maintenance and attention when needed can last for around 15 years. But you’ll need to be vigilant about when the AC is ready to be replaced. Leaving an aging AC in place can lead to multiple problems:
- Extremely high energy bills
- Poor cooling resulting in hot spots around the house
- An unreliable AC that may quit on the hottest day of the year
- Poor indoor air quality because of dusty, aging components
You want to get ahead of all of these problems with a proactive approach to replacement. When you take control, you can have your air conditioner replaced on your timetable so you can choose a convenient appointment with HVAC professionals.
“But how can I know it’s really time?”
You don’t want to rush this. We understand. You may have several more good, energy-efficient years of performance from the AC. Let’s take a look at some of the clues that will help you know it’s time to get the AC replaced.
First is the age of the unit. We already mentioned that 15 years is a good lifespan for an AC. Average service life expectancy is 10–15 years, so once your cooling system has crested that hump, we recommend getting ready to replace it, especially if it’s shown other signs it’s beginning to decline.
Second, pay close attention to operating costs and the frequency and price of repairs. These are excellent markers of how rapidly the AC is aging. The best maintenance won’t stop an eventual decline from wear and tear that will cause energy efficiency to drop and repairs to become more common. You can expect a slight rise in energy costs over the AC’s service life, but when the rise becomes steep, it often means the unit is beyond the point where maintenance can do much. As for repairs, needing them every year is a waste of money—the AC is rapidly falling apart. Watch out for repair costs as well: we don’t advise paying for any single repair that’s more than half the cost of installing a new system.
Third, look out for poor cooling performance. This is the biggest warning an AC can send you. When an air conditioner begins to lose its cooling capacity due to age, it will struggle to evenly cool the house. You can call on technicians to see if repairs can fix the problem, but those repairs may be nothing more than a temporary patch and too costly to justify.
Consult the Pros
If you’re unsure about your AC’s future, the best way to find answers is to consult with our HVAC experts. We can give your air conditioning system an assessment and offer honest advice about whether scheduling a replacement is the best choice.