For homeowners, one of the toughest decisions you will have to make involving your HVAC system is when to replace it. A new system is a rather large investment, however, so is continuing to repair and operate an inefficient unit. How are you supposed to know when the right time to replace your air conditioning unit is? We have listed the six signs that majorly indicate you need to finally make the switch to a new unit.
Signs You Need to Replace Your Air Conditioning Unit
- Your Home isn’t Cooling Down Properly: Is it hard for your air conditioning unit to keep your home cool? This is a sign that your air conditioner is either too old or incorrectly sized for your home. Regardless of what causes this issue, you should have a system that works. If it is not going to keep your home cool, make sure you replace it with a system that will.
- HVAC System that uses R 22 Freon: The federal government has phased out Freon in order to conserve energy nationwide. The result of this is that Freon prices are rising exponentially. If your air conditioner still uses Freon, you will have to eventually replace it. The newer model will most likely use the new refrigerant (R410A). If you are having major problems with your HVAC system, especially if the problems involve Freon, its time to replace it.
- Frequent Breakdowns: Does it seem like your HVAC system is constantly breaking down? Do you feel like you are calling a repairman every month? Repair costs really start to add up, and on top of other expenses can overwhelm you. Save yourself money and from having more headaches by investing in a new unit.
- You’re Dealing with Expensive Repairs: Any time you have to deal with an expensive repair, you will want to weigh the cost of the repair against the cost of a fully new unit. If the total cost of the repair would cover a large chunk of the new system cost, it will make more sense to replace the entire system.
- HVAC is Inefficient: Air conditioning systems with low SEER ratings can cost you a lot of money to operate. Currently, newly made systems must have a SEER rating of at least 13. If your systems rating is below 13, you can cut back on your energy costs by replacing it with a new unit. ENERGY STAR-qualified air conditioners must have a SEER of at least 14.5
- Air Conditioner is Older than 10 Years: You can expect on average that a well-maintained air conditioner will last you around 15 years. However, if your system is in need of repairs and is over 10 years old, it’s time to replace it. This is especially true when you consider the advancements in efficiency that have occurred over the past decade.
If you’d like an HVAC system repaired or installed in your home or have questions about when to replace your unit. Make sure to contact us at B & W Heating and Cooling today. We can set up an appointment for an estimate and consultation today.
