Air conditioners, like every other piece of equipment in your home, have their span of days and then it's time to replace them. Fortunately, they do last a long time — on average, 10 to 15 years. In fact, the age of your A/C system may be one key indicator that it's time for to replace it.
Your air conditioner/heating system may be running OK in its elder years, but you may be missing out on the efficient performance offered by newer equipment. What's more, if your older A/C system is running on R-22 refrigerant, be aware it's being phased out, and remaining supplies will be harder to get hold of and will cost more as the years go by.
Other signs it's time to replace the A/C include:
1. Frequent breakdowns - If your A/C is reaching the end of its projected lifetime, and you're finding it's costing you plenty as breakdowns become more frequent, it's probably time for a replacement. You may also want to consider replacing the furnace as well, as some of the newer, computerized equipment works much better and more efficiently when both "sides" of the system are in sync.
2. Home isn't cooling - There can be myriad reasons for an air conditioner not keeping a home cool, but if yours did an adequate job in the past and, even after repairs, is no longer doing the job, it may be time to consider a replacement.
3. Expensive repairs needed - Sometimes, it doesn't make sense to replace an expensive part, such as a compressor. Usually, when the compressor breaks down, it's time to go ahead and replace the entire cooling system.
4. Low SEER rating - Air conditioners are rated by a measurement called SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio). Newer A/Cs in our region must have SEERs of at least 13; if you have an older A/C, it is probably much lower. A newer A/C with a higher SEER should result in significant energy savings.
To learn more about when to replace your A/C system, contact Hartman Brothers Heating and Air Conditioning of Fort Wayne.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air conditioners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 260-376-2961.
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