29 Nov 5 Sure Signs You Need a New Air Conditioner
With summer approaching, you should know the signs you need a new air conditioner. You don’t want your air conditioner to break unexpectedly, leaving you hot and sweaty. Knowing the signs that your air conditioner is worn out can save you from being surprised when it finally dies.
1. Your Air Conditioner Is Reaching an Advanced Age
All appliances have a life span, including your air conditioner. Most air conditioning systems are designed to last between ten to fifteen years.
The exact life span of your air conditioner depends upon the quality of the air conditioner when it was installed. A high-quality air conditioner that had cutting-edge technology at the time it was installed is more likely to last longer than a low-quality air conditioning unit.
2. Your Air Conditioner Isn’t Keeping Your House Cool
Over time, you may notice your air conditioner no longer keeps your house cool enough. If your thermostat is working correctly and your air ducts are not damaged but your AC still doesn’t properly cool your house, the most likely culprit is just old age. Air conditioners, as they start to wear out, are just not able to perform as well as they did in the past.
3. The Airflow from Your Air Conditioner Is Weak
Your air conditioner should produce a consistent airflow throughout your home.
A clogged air filter is one of the most common reasons behind inconsistent airflow. When the air filter gets dirty, it becomes clogged, and not enough air can pass through the filter. This problem can be solved by cleaning or replacing the air filter.
Blocked registers or vents can also cause airflow issues. Most air conditioners are designed to push air through all the vents at once. A single blocked vent can have a negative impact on airflow throughout your home. Opening up vents can correct airflow issues.
Some airflow issues are more difficult to fix. An old motor that doesn’t work well anymore can cause poor airflow. Additionally, the older design of your air conditioner may not be able to keep up with your current needs and demands.
If an older motor or air conditioning design is what is hampering your airflow, replacing your air conditioner will be necessary to fix this issue.
4. Refrigerant Leaks Keep Happening
When refrigerant leaks out of your air conditioner, your air conditioner will have to run for longer periods of time in order to cool off your house.
Refrigerant leaks have a few different causes. For example, the rubber seals on service valves naturally wear out over time. You can fix this problem with new rubber seals.
A more serious cause of refrigerant leaks is pinhole leaks caused by naturally forming acid that eats away at the tubing inside of your air conditioner. This is especially common on copper tubing.
One or two pinhole leaks can be fixed, but numerous pinhole leaks indicate your air conditioner has reached the end of its life.
5. Energy Costs Keep Rising
Finally, keep an eye on your year-to-year energy costs. Most energy bills automatically provide a comparison between how much energy you used this year compared to last year.
Energy usage can increase due to unusually cold or warm weather. However, consistent increases in your energy use, without changes to your lifestyle or outside temperature, can be a strong indication that your air conditioner is wearing out and not as efficient as it could be.
When your air conditioner starts to wear out, it will run for longer periods of time to compensate, causing increased energy costs.
When your air conditioner reaches the end of its life span and starts to require constant repairs to keep it running, think about investing in a new model. Call our team at Eubanks Air Conditioning & Appliance Service; we can help you determine if your air conditioner can be repaired or if it needs to be upgraded.
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