Hello, my name is Darby Aldrich. I would like to talk to you about the importance of maintaining your air conditioning system. When I moved to a hot climate, I did not realize how vital having a running air conditioner was for living comfortably. When the unit just stopped working one day, the temperature inside the house rivaled the piping hot weather outdoors. We had to go to the community center to keep the kids from feeling sick. While we were gone, we had a local HVAC contractor fix the unit. She let us know that some simple maintenance tasks would prevent that situation in the future. I will use this site to closely explore those tasks in great detail. I hope you can use the information to keep your air conditioner running like new. Thanks.
If your air conditioner is still cooling your home, then your assumption might be that it's still working and there's no good reason to replace it. In some cases, you might be correct. But in other cases, your AC might be struggling and on its last leg — even if it has not overtly failed yet. Here are some key signs your AC may be ready for replacement even though it's still chugging out cold air.
It's Very Loud
Air conditioners should operate relatively quietly. Those made over a decade ago are a little louder than newer models, but they still should not rattle, rumble, squeak, or squeal while they are working. If your AC unit is making a lot of noise, that could be because it has worn ball bearings, a broken blower fan, or any number of other motor-related issues. These issues snowball quickly and usually lead to a burned-out motor. Rather than waiting for that to happen, you may want to replace the AC unit while it's still functional.
It's Covered in Snow or Ice
When it's hot outside yet your AC unit is covered in frost or ice, that's a sure sign that something is amiss. Sometimes this problem is just caused by a dirty filter. But if you replace the filter and your AC unit still looks like an icicle, then it's likely you have a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant leaks can sometimes be fixed in newer AC units. But a lot of older AC units use a refrigerant that cannot be purchased anymore. So, your HVAC contractor may not be able to fix the recharge coil even if they wanted to. As such, when an AC starts icing over, the solution is often to replace the whole unit.
Increasing Energy Bills
Do your energy bills seem to be climbing higher and higher every month? This happens as AC units lose efficiency over time. Even if the air conditioner is still working, if it's costing you a small fortune to run, you may want to replace it. Newer units are more efficient both because they are made that way, and because all of their parts still work properly.
If you notice any of the problems above with your air conditioner, schedule a consultation with an AC service in your area. They can give you a better idea of what it would cost to replace your AC unit and what models would be best for you.
Share13 June 2022
