Sometimes even the best air conditioning (AC) system needs to be repaired by the experts, and routine maintenance by AC technicians is always recommended. If you're finding yourself calling for repairs on a regular basis, however, or your AC is simply getting up there in years and no longer working as efficiently as you'd like, it's probably time to replace it. Here are a few of the biggest signs that it's time to replace your air conditioner.
Your Air Conditioning Unit Is Old
Most experts recommend that you replace your AC if it's more than ten years old. Even a top of the line air conditioning unit will wear out eventually, and by ten years you can expect several components to be deteriorating to the point that repairs may only bring temporary improvements. An additional (and important) reason to replace your air conditioner after ten years is that modern AC technology has made great strides in recent years. Today's AC units are more efficient, quiet, and comfortable than ever before.
Your Home Is Never as Cool as You'd Like
As your air conditioning unit wears out, it will work harder and harder to cool your home while also becoming less effective. This typically means your home is never as cool as you'd like it to be in the summer, and at the same time, your energy bills continue to go up. Replacing your old, inefficient model with a more modern AC unit will mean that your home is much more comfortable, most likely with a lower utility bill as well.
Your Air Quality Has Suffered
Your air conditioning unit and overall HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system should do a great job of filtering dust, mold, and pet dander out of your air. If you find your air quality has been poor lately, and it is leading to an increase in colds or allergies for your family, start by replacing your air conditioning filter if you haven't done so recently. If changing the filter doesn't make much of a difference, this is a major sign that your air conditioning unit needs to be replaced soon.
Be sure to be on the lookout for these signs if you suspect your air conditioner is on its last leg. Schedule an inspection with an air conditioning service, such as Apparatus Air Conditioning & Heating. They can help you decide if a simple repair is all that's needed or if it's time to update your system.
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