How to Know When Your AC Needs to be Replaced
Autumn is arriving quickly and your air conditioner has outlived another summer. But surviving this summer doesn’t guarantee it will keep the cold air coming the next time temperatures rise. Here are common signals that your AC may be on its way out.
Not keeping your cool
Your air conditioning equipment is meant to keep you cool and comfortable on the warmest days, so if you’re A/C is not keeping you cool (and you’re uncomfortable) there’s probably a problem. There are a lot of situations where your air conditioner may quit cooling – compressor failure, a wrong calibrated thermostat, or a refrigerant leak. Once you’ve determined the situation, it may be better to just let go of your little engine that could, and purchase a newer, more energy-efficient air conditioner – preferably one that keeps you cool.
More Frequent Repairs
If you’re calling for air conditioner repairs every cooling season, it may be time to bite the bullet and invest in a new one. Frequent AC repairs are a good signal that your air conditioning system is starting to breakdown and you don’t want to be left in the middle of the dog days of summer with a roasting hot home.
Increase in Energy Bills
If you see a hike in your AC bills that could be a signal that something is not right. If your air conditioning system is working excessive overtime, it could result in you working overtime to afford it, and it might be a better option for you to invest in a more energy-efficient air conditioner that can easily reduce your peak season energy payments.
Less Air Flow
If your air isn’t blowing as forceful as it used to be, it could be a sign that your air conditioner is on its way to breaking down. Check your home’s air filters to make sure they do not require replacing and, if not, call an expert to help discover the problem.
Constantly Starting Up
If your system is continuously running, more importantly if it’s not blowing much cool air, then you likely have a problem. It might be a problem that’s easy to rectify with a Precision tune-up, but it could also be an indicator that your air conditioner has to work harder to cool your home and that results in wasted energy and wasted money.
Weird Noise
If your air conditioner starts producing weird noises, there could be a problem. Higher pitched noises may mean an issue with one of the motors. Rattling noises might signal a part is loose. Don’t risk it. Call an expert to inspect it and determine if it’s a problem worth repairing or if it will continue to be an ongoing issue.
Signs of Aging
Just like everything (and everyone), the more something has aged, the weaker it usually gets. Is your system not cooling like it did five years ago? Are specific rooms colder or hotter than others? Is it taking a larger amount of time to cool your home? All of these are typical signs of an aging system. If your AC is having a hard time and is approaching or over 10 years in age, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning and 919-578-4329 for a free in-home estimate and learn about our current rebates on energy-efficient air conditioners.
