Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner?

We know it is still April.  We know there is still some chilly weather ahead of us.  Maybe you haven’t even drained the gas from your snow blower yet.  After all, just two years ago we had snow in May.

Still we have had a few nice days, and you may have even turned your air conditioner on.  So it is certainly not too soon to ask yourself whether it is time for a new air conditioning unit.  If it is, you’ll want to replace it now, rather than wait for it to break on a brutally hot day.

Here are some things to consider in determining whether you should get a new air conditioning unit.

1. Age.  The average life of most air conditioning systems is 15-18 years.  If your system is that old or older, you may want to consider replacing it, even if it seems to be working fine.  
   
2. Energy-efficiency.  Cooling (and heating) costs account for about half of utility costs.  Newer systems are much more efficient (and environmentally friendly).  So if you are paying more than average utility costs for your neighborhood (this may be indicated on your utility bill) consider a newer system.  Also, if your utility costs are going up and you have not changed how you use your system, that may also indicate your unit is losing efficiency.
   
3. Inconsistent cooling and humidity.  Your system should maintain consistent temperatures and control humidity. If it is not, it could be a sign that the system is not operating as it should.
   
4. Noise.  This could mean your duct system is undersized, or that there is a problem with the indoor coil of your equipment.  
   
5. Frequent and expensive repairs.  If you are spending a great deal of money on repairs, and/or your unit needs to be serviced frequently, that is yet another sign that it is time for a new system.
   

Next month we will discuss things to consider when purchasing a new air conditioning system.