Should You Replace Your Air Conditioner

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An older AC can still work, as long as it has been properly maintained. However, older air conditioners are not able to compete with new models, which are more efficient. Eventually, there comes a point in time when it makes sense to buy a new AC.

Many experts agree that 10-15 years is the average lifespan of an AC. It doesn’t matter if you have a ductless AC or central AC, if it’s at least ten years old, then it’s time to consider upgrading it. Sure, if it has been properly maintained, then some AC units can last up to 20 years and still work pretty well. Before you decide to replace your AC, it’s a good idea to speak with an expert.

An expert will tell you whether or not your AC is worth keeping or if it’s a better idea to buy a new AC unit. You might also want to learn about the different issues that arise with AC’s and how to go about troubleshooting them.

Keep An Eye On Your Energy Bills

New Air conditioners are energy efficient. Many of them have high SEER ratings, which refers to how energy efficient they are. If you want to find out what the SEER rating of your current AC is, then speak to a professional. Then you can compare your current unit to what’s currently out there.

Besides energy efficiency, your AC’s power matters. As a unit becomes older, it becomes less powerful. If you do not properly maintain your air conditioner, then the chances are it will not be as powerful as it should be.

When overall efficiency goes down, then your energy bills will increase. If you notice that your bills are getting bigger month after month, then it’s time to consider upgrading your unit seriously.

Repairs Are Need Often

Older units result in higher energy bills. Not only that but repairing them can become expensive and exhaustive. Every now and then making repairs to units is fine, but when your unit constantly needs to be fixed, then it’s time to get a replacement.

Performing multiple repairs throughout the summer is not good for everyone in the household, nor will it do your bank account any good. Even small repairs add up to high costs as time goes by. Plus, if repairs are needed frequently, then it means your AC has something seriously wrong with it.

Are you spending a lot of time and money fixing up your air conditioning system? If so, then it’s time to take your money and invest it into a unit that will be more powerful and one that will last for a long time to come.

Your Unit’s R-22 Needs

Does your AC unit need more refrigerant then necessary? If so, then it might have a leak. Topping off your unit with Freon, also called R-22, can cost you a lot of money. You have to pay for the refrigerant itself, as well as for a technician to top the unit off. The bottom line is fixing a leak, hiring an expert and paying for coolant can easily cost you around $1,000, more or less.

If a unit contains R-22 and it develops a leak, then you should replace your AC unit. In the short and long-term, this will be the best decision to make.

Common Air Conditioning Problems: Troubleshooting Them

by xtbix on

Your HVAC system has mechanical parts, and these parts always work together once installed. The actual useful life of each part is similar, but when a part goes bad, there could be more than one issue actually happening. It is very inconvenient to go through an HVAC system failure, and the costs can certainly start to increase. It is cost-effective to replace an entire system when one or more components begin to fail.

Premature parts failure in a heating and cooling system can happen to any homeowner. Even if you find that your system is functioning correctly now, it is less expensive to replace a system compared with paying money each month to heat your home with a partially functioning HVAC system. When a system is older, it is no longer efficient, and this will cost you more money. The guide provided here will help you to understand more about your system, and how to compare it to other heating and cooling systems to help you save money.

As you evaluate your options for a better system, keep in mind that we cannot actually force you to replace your system. Armed with the right knowledge, you will make the decision yourself.

What Is The Right Age For An HVAC System?

The best answer is between 8 and 20 years. Such a big range is given because there are multiple factors that cause a system to begin to deteriorate.

There are several things that you must keep in mind when you decide to invest in buying a new system.

These include the following:

Expert Installation and Correct Sizing: Do you know if your unit was sized properly when it was installed?

Initial Build Quality: Not every manufacturer offers quality equipment. Only the high-quality HVAC systems offer the longest term of usage while cheaper units are almost always manufactured with cheap parts.

Regular Maintenance: When your system is not maintained regularly, it will have to work a lot harder compared to one that is in great shape. Remember, your heating and cooling system is mechanical. It has computer parts, coils, motors, belts, electrical components and other parts that require maintenance. Regular intervals of testing are required to make sure that a problem does not lead to a more expensive problem in the future.

System Reliability

If your HVAC unit has already been repaired more than once in the past several years, it is likely that you are experiencing more than one issue. Even though the system can be repaired again, there are costs involved with each service appointment. This is a much more expensive scenario than replacing your system.

When you hire a trusted contractor, you will know if your system is in good health or not. An experienced person will tell you if you have degraded parts or if the entire system needs to be replaced. Every expert technician will show you exactly what is wrong, and freely share this information. It is important that a contractor explains to you that your system is in good or bad shape upon inspection. Even if you think your mechanical system is too confusing to understand, a professional will explain all problems to you so that you understand.

Consider Your Entire System

It is not just the components that are installed in your HVAC system that are important. While all parts contribute to the proper functioning of your unit, other things are also involved. Your ductwork, home insulation, thermostat, and seals around windows and doors. Every issue must be addressed and considered to properly diagnose a problem with your heating and cooling system.

Improve System Efficiency

If your system was installed decades ago, it might still be working satisfactorily. It will, however, never be as efficient as the newer technological systems that are being installed. The U.S. Government created its Energy Star program that has guidelines pertaining to which systems are considered efficient or not. Under the Government guidelines, it is recommended to replace your HVAC system if it is older than 10 years. The units that are now manufactured are much better at heating and cooling compared with units that were built in the past.

Because you should consider a completely efficient system, we do recommend that you review the energy calculations provided in the section below. This will showcase the estimated savings that you could enjoy once your system is replaced. When you are using an older HVAC in your house, you could be paying for better efficiency.

Proper Temperature Controls

When you are planning to replace your entire HVAC system, it is a good idea to understand why there are now better temperature controls. You are paying to be comfortable while you are using your unit. It does not matter what time of year it is when you have access to reliable temperature controls. If your system is not providing you with the comfort you expect, it is probably time to pay for major repairs or replace your entire system.

A struggling system is one that is usually not able to maintain a temperature of around 68 degrees in the summer or 75 degrees in the winter.

When Its The Right Time To Replace Your HVAC System

by xtbix on

Your HVAC system has mechanical parts, and these parts always work together once installed. The actual useful life of each part is similar, but when a part goes bad, there could be more than one issue actually happening. It is very inconvenient to go through an HVAC system failure, and the costs can certainly start to increase. It is cost-effective to replace an entire system when one or more components begin to fail.

Premature parts failure in a heating and cooling system can happen to any homeowner. Even if you find that your system is functioning correctly now, it is less expensive to replace a system compared with paying money each month to heat your home with a partially functioning HVAC system. When a system is older, it is no longer efficient, and this will cost you more money. The guide provided here will help you to understand more about your system, and how to compare it to other heating and cooling systems to help you save money.

As you evaluate your options for a better system, keep in mind that we cannot actually force you to replace your system. Armed with the right knowledge, you will make the decision yourself.

What Is The Right Age For An HVAC System?

The best answer is between 8 and 20 years. Such a big range is given because there are multiple factors that cause a system to begin to deteriorate.

There are several things that you must keep in mind when you decide to invest in buying a new system.

These include the following:

Expert Installation and Correct Sizing: Do you know if your unit was sized properly when it was installed?

Initial Build Quality: Not every manufacturer offers quality equipment. Only the high-quality HVAC systems offer the longest term of usage while cheaper units are almost always manufactured with cheap parts.

Regular Maintenance: When your system is not maintained regularly, it will have to work a lot harder compared to one that is in great shape. Remember, your heating and cooling system is mechanical. It has computer parts, coils, motors, belts, electrical components and other parts that require maintenance. Regular intervals of testing are required to make sure that a problem does not lead to a more expensive problem in the future.

System Reliability

If your HVAC unit has already been repaired more than once in the past several years, it is likely that you are experiencing more than one issue. Even though the system can be repaired again, there are costs involved with each service appointment. This is a much more expensive scenario than replacing your system.

When you hire a trusted contractor, you will know if your system is in good health or not. An experienced person will tell you if you have degraded parts or if the entire system needs to be replaced. Every expert technician will show you exactly what is wrong, and freely share this information. It is important that a contractor explains to you that your system is in good or bad shape upon inspection. Even if you think your mechanical system is too confusing to understand, a professional will explain all problems to you so that you understand.

Consider Your Entire System

It is not just the components that are installed in your HVAC system that are important. While all parts contribute to the proper functioning of your unit, other things are also involved. Your ductwork, home insulation, thermostat, and seals around windows and doors. Every issue must be addressed and considered to properly diagnose a problem with your heating and cooling system.

Improve System Efficiency

If your system was installed decades ago, it might still be working satisfactorily. It will, however, never be as efficient as the newer technological systems that are being installed. The U.S. Government created its Energy Star program that has guidelines pertaining to which systems are considered efficient or not. Under the Government guidelines, it is recommended to replace your HVAC system if it is older than 10 years. The units that are now manufactured are much better at heating and cooling compared with units that were built in the past.

Because you should consider a completely efficient system, we do recommend that you review the energy calculations provided in the section below. This will showcase the estimated savings that you could enjoy once your system is replaced. When you are using an older HVAC in your house, you could be paying for better efficiency.

Proper Temperature Controls

When you are planning to replace your entire HVAC system, it is a good idea to understand why there are now better temperature controls, says the professional HVAC St Petersburg contractors. You are paying to be comfortable while you are using your unit. It does not matter what time of year it is when you have access to reliable temperature controls. If your system is not providing you with the comfort you expect, it is probably time to pay for major repairs or replace your entire system.

A struggling system is one that is usually not able to maintain a temperature of around 68 degrees in the summer or 75 degrees in the winter.