Your air conditioner was designed to last for a long time. With proper care and maintenance, it can last for a couple of decades. However, even the best air conditioners need to be replaced eventually. If you think it’s time for air conditioning replacement in Port St. Lucie, FL, our team is here to help.
We know that an AC replacement is a huge investment. We would love to help you get as much life as possible out of your current AC, without you sacrificing on energy efficiency or comfort. Keep reading to learn more about the signs that it might be time to replace your AC because repairs are no longer enough.
The 50% Rule
There’s a good chance that you could continue to put Band-Aids on a problematic AC and keep it running for years to come. But that does not always mean it’s the right move to make. In fact, experts recommend that you not spend more than 50% of the cost of a new unit on any repair, no matter how old or new your AC is.
Keep in mind that this 50% rule can apply to a single repair, or multiple repairs. Experts also estimate that you will see an increase in repair frequency in the last couple years of life for your AC. So, if you can add up repair bills over the last few months and they cost more than 50% of what a new air conditioner would cost, it’s time for an upgrade.
It’s especially true for an older air conditioner. The reason for this is that you might be wasting your money by investing in such an expensive repair. If your AC is in that bad of condition, you are better off starting completely fresh with a new unit. After all, even if you make a very expensive repair, there is a chance that something else inside of the system will need to be repaired in the near future.
Signs of AC Problems
You can also pay attention to signs that your AC is having problems, even if you haven’t had any repairs recently. One of the most common indicators of AC problems is hearing unusual sounds coming from your air conditioner. Even if you don’t pay much attention to how your AC sounds when it operates, you can probably distinguish between normal and not normal sounds. Anything that is loud, alarming, or persistent is a sign that something is wrong. Even if you only hear a loud sound one time, you still need to get it checked out by a professional.
You should also pay attention to any changes that you notice. These changes could be on your energy bill, where energy costs may increase slowly or all at once. Since your AC is one of your largest appliances, any jumps in energy use are very likely to be from your AC. Other changes may be in how well your AC cools your home. If the air isn’t as cool as it used to be, that’s a sign that your AC can’t keep up with your cooling needs. Sometimes repairs can address these problems, but in other instances it’s just flat out time for a replacement.
Contact Mechanical Air Conditioning for your central air conditioning needs, including AC replacement.