When to Replace Your Air Conditioner – 4 Signs

Replacing an air conditioner is costly and sometimes unavoidable. Although purchasing a new AC unit is a large investment, the cost of maintaining an outdated or inadequate unit could be costing you more. So, when is it time to get a new air conditioner? Here are the most common signs it’s time to take the plunge. 

1. You’re Not Getting Cold Air

When you’re not getting any cool air or your air conditioner can’t keep up, there’s probably something wrong. This could be a sign of low refrigerant, a broken compressor, an incorrectly sized system, or simply an aging air conditioner. No matter the cause, if your air conditioner is not doing its job and depending on the age of the system, it could be time for a replacement. 

2. Your Air Conditioner Frequently Needs Repairs

When you find yourself repeatedly calling for air conditioner repairs, it may be more cost effective to replace it. This is especially true if the repairs are consistently expensive and are not covered under a home warranty. If your air conditioner is showing other signs in this article and the repair costs would cover a significant portion of a new system, it will likely make more financial sense to replace it.

3. Your AC Unit is More Than 15 Years Old

A well-maintained air conditioner is built to last about 15 years. If your system has made it this far, you should pat yourself on the back. Repairs become expensive when your system gets old and the unit is less efficient making your electricity bills rise. Newer model air conditioners focus on energy efficiency and the repairs tend to be minor and less expensive, saving you money rather quickly. When your older AC unit breaks down, consider it an opportunity to upgrade to a modern setup.

4. Your Air Conditioner is Inefficient

As mentioned above, an inefficient air conditioner usually comes with old age, but unfortunately that is not always the case. If your air conditioner has a SEER rating below 13, it means it’s costing you too much money to operate it and it may not be worth it. The SEER rating is calculated by dividing the cooling output for a typical season by the total electric energy input during the same time frame. You can calculate this rating yourself or an HVAC expert can help you. 

There are plenty of scenarios in which an air conditioner should be replaced. Oftentimes it saves you money in the long run, other times it’s absolutely necessary. Extending the life of your system does help, and this can be done with regular maintenance and cleaning from a professional HVAC contractor. 

If you are in Aurora or anywhere throughout the Denver Metro Area, Grand Home Services would love to help you with your air conditioner maintenance, cleaning, repair, or replacement needs. Contact us today!