Now that winter is finally over, our thoughts turn to spring and eventually summer. Even though it may be too soon to turn on your air conditioner, that time is not far away. So before it gets too hot, ask yourself: should I replace may AC? Here are some reasons to consider it.
- Age. You can expect an air conditioning unit to last about 15 years. So if yours is approaching that age, even if it is still running fine, you might consider replacing it now, before it breaks down. In addition to avoiding an emergency, your new unit most likely will be more energy efficient, so you will save on your utility bills.
- Not cooling. Another way of knowing if you need a new AC is simple – the unit is not keeping you cool. Either is it emitting warm air, or the air is coming out of the vents weakly. Either way, you need to set the thermostat lower and lower in order to get cool.
- Rising utility bills. If you noticed your electric bills going up last summer, that may be a sign your unit is not running as effectively as it used to. A new AC unit could solve that problem and perhaps reduce your bills as much as 40%.
- Frequent repairs. Another sign that your AC may need to be replaced is more frequent and more expensive repairs. Ask yourself if you want to keep spending money is an aging unit, or if you want to invest in a new one.
- Strange noises. Some noise is to be expected. But if your unit is grinding, squeaking or chattering, that is an indication something may be wrong.
- Moisture. If you notice moisture near the unit, you may have a refrigerant leak. This will cause the system to not operate at peak efficiency. Plus, leaking refrigerant is a health issue.
- Smells. The air your AC puts out should not smell. If you detect a smoky or burning smell, that is a sign of problems.
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