Perhaps you’ve experienced a few AC breakdowns recently, or maybe you’ve noticed that your AC isn’t able to keep your home as cool and comfortable as it used to. In either situation, you’ve probably started to wonder what would be the better solution at this point: to repair your AC or replace your AC. After all, both options could cost a good deal of money, so you want to be sure that the choice you make is the best one in the long run.
If this is your current dilemma, these are usually the biggest indicators that the time has come to replace your air conditioner unit.
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1. You Have Rising Energy Bills, Year Over Year
Take a look at your energy bills. If you’ve been experiencing unusually high energy bills lately, this could mean that your AC has lost its efficiency.
You can also compare the latest month for which you’ve been billed with the same month last year and the same month the year before. If there has been an increase in the amount you’ve been billed year over year, this could also be an indicator that your AC is working harder and harder to keep your home comfortable.
The harder your AC works, the more energy it uses, and the more money it costs you. Replacing your AC unit now might seem expensive, but it may be wiser to do that sooner so that you can also experience a reduction in your energy bills. After all, you will have to replace the unit eventually.
2. You’re Faced with High Repair Costs
At some point, the cost of repairing your AC will no longer make sense over purchasing a new one. If the cost to repair your AC is going to be more than half the cost of a new AC unit, it generally makes more financial sense to purchase a new unit. This is especially important to consider if your AC is breaking down frequently, which not only costs you more money but more time as well to be at home for the repair appointment.
3. Your AC Unit is 10+ Years Old
Air conditioner units that are properly maintained will last around 15 years. That being said, once AC units break down past the 10-year mark, some of the repairs that they need to keep running can be pricey. At that point, if your AC is driving up your energy bill, and if the cost of a repair could pay a substantial amount towards a new unit, it probably makes more sense to purchase a new unit.
4. Your AC Unit Cannot Cool Your House Effectively
When AC units get older, they have a harder time keeping up with people’s cooling needs. You may start to notice more uneven temperatures around your home or that your AC’s air flow is not as strong and therefore not able to cool your home as quickly and thoroughly. Cooling issues can also be caused by an incorrectly sized air conditioner.
In either case, the already hardworking unit has to work even harder to make your home comfortable. This, in turn, shortens the unit’s lifespan further while increasing your energy bill in the process.
5. Your System Makes Strange Noises or Gives Off Bad Odors
It’s completely normal for an air conditioning system to make some noise when it turns on and while it runs, but there are certain noises that signal a problem. If you hear squealing or grinding noises coming from your AC unit’s components, make sure to contact a technician as soon as possible.
The same goes for odd smells. An oily/electrical/burning smell can indicate that there’s a problem with your burners, the motor, or the unit’s wiring. While an entire unit replacement may not be warranted for one repair alone, keep in mind that if your unit is breaking down fairly frequently, a replacement could be the best long-term solution.
When you need air conditioning service in Santa Ana, Orange County or the surrounding areas, Dial One Sonshine offers exceptional installation, repairs, and replacement services. Having your system installed by one of our highly-trained professionals can reduce the need for frequent future repairs or maintenance. We offer fair, upfront pricing and can assist you with a range of HVAC needs.