There isn’t an appliance on the market that can last forever, no matter how well it’s constructed or how well we take care of it. Your air conditioning system is no exception, with a limited lifespan of which when it nears the end, it’s a good idea to have it replaced before it suffers a complete breakdown. You could very well end up trapped on a hot day—when AC systems are most likely to succumb to stress—with no immediate relief in sight, and you rush to schedule a new air conditioner installation.
Additionally, the longer you prolong a dying system’s use, the more money you will waste through inefficient performance. We want to help you determine when it’s time for Pensacola, FL air conditioning repairs, or if it’s in fact time to replace your air conditioner. Deciding to replace a cooling system before it’s broken down gives you time to arrange for a convenient replacement time, prevent an emergency loss of cooling, and start saving money with a fresh system—with superior energy efficiency. Keep reading for 4 signs of a problematic cooling system—one that could very well be ready for replacement.
Sign #1: Old Age
As we mentioned above, air conditioners have a limited lifespan. The manufacturer of your system sets a service life estimate for it, typically the period that the warranty covers. Generally speaking—and also, dependent on how well cared for your system is—a cooling system that undergoes moderate use can be expected to last from 10-15 years. We really do recommend that if your system is 15 years of age or older, that you consider a replacement.
Sign #2: Noisy Operation
One of the goals of effective air conditioner manufacturing is that your system be designed to operate as quietly as possible. Of course, no system is going to be completely silent, but you’ll quickly get used to the everyday noises of your own cooling system.
But when you start to notice loud and/or unfamiliar sounds coming from your system, then something is wrong. One peculiar noise every now and then is probably warning you of a repair need. However, general grinding and clanging almost always means a system where everything is beginning to wear down—and it’s time for a new air conditioner.
Sign #3: Spike in Cooling Bills
An air conditioning system that receives routine maintenance should successfully retain about 95% of its energy efficiency rating throughout its lifecycle. When it nears the end of that service life, however, this efficiency will drop no matter how well you keep on top of system tune-ups, and consequently, your utility bills will rise.
Take a look at your cooling costs over the past few years—is there a steady upward trend? Then you could very well have a failing cooling system.
Sign #4: Frequent and Expensive Repairs
Most air conditioners will eventually require a repair or two throughout their service life. However, there’s a point where your air conditioner will require repairs that are expensive enough to make it no longer worthwhile to keep the system—issues will continue to occur, and a full breakdown is very likely.
What counts as “too expensive,” though? As a general rule of thumb, if your next repair is going to cost over half of what it would to upgrade to a newer cooling system, then it makes more economic since to go for the replacement. This is particularly true if you’ve reached the 10-year threshold.
Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc. is the company to call when you need quality air conditioning services.
Contact us today!