Summer is “officially” over, but that doesn’t mean a lot for us here in Florida, as we contend with warmer temperatures throughout the next few months. How’s your air conditioner doing? Is it showing any signs that it might not make it through another year of service?
If it is, you may want to start considering an AC upgrade. The last thing you need is to be without your air conditioner any longer than you have to be in the middle of a hot day, but if you neglect signs of AC disrepair or an AC that might need to be replaced, this can very well happen.
We’ve shared some signs below that might indicate it’s time for you to upgrade your air conditioner!
It’s Costing You More to Operate the AC Each Month
As a cooling system ages, it gradually starts losing its efficiency, as the components within it wear down. At first, you likely won’t even notice the drop in efficiency, as it will be subtle. Over time, however, it will wind up becoming so severe that the system will be forced to operate for longer periods of time to compensate.
This longer operating time can drive up your monthly costs of using the system. If you find that your cooling system is costing much more to use per month than you think it should, or that your neighbors are paying, it may mean you need a new one.
Your AC Constantly Needs Repair
Needing a repair every now and then isn’t a big deal. Every few years or so you might need to have a component within your air conditioner fixed up, even with routine preventative maintenance each year. But if your cooling system needs repairs multiple times a year, it’s a red flag that it’s time to call a pro.
This level of frequency in AC breakdowns is indicative of a system finally succumbing to old age and years of wear and tear. The various components within it will begin to fail in groups, causing the frequency and cost of repairs to spike. Continuing to repair your system once it reaches this point will just waste money, and you’ll probably need to replace the system soon anyway.
Your AC Is Over 15 Years Old
We’re going to assume you schedule preventive maintenance for your air conditioner each year, and that when you’re alerted to repairs, you schedule in those repairs right away. Still though, even will all that, your system will eventually reach a point that it’s just not financially worth keeping it around anymore.
The average lifespan of a well-cared-for air conditioner is about 10-15 years, as we alluded to above. Anything older than this will start accumulating a range of chronic issues that will make it increasingly expensive to keep them up and running.
If you do have an aging system but are still unsure if you really want to replace it just yet, here’s a good rule of thumb: If your next repair or set of repairs is going to cost half or more of what the system is worth, it makes more financial sense to upgrade, both right now and in the long run.
For an experienced HVAC contractor in St. Augustine, FL, contact Climate Masters today. Serving St Johns County since 1988 with quality, hometown service.
