Choosing to replace your Gilbert, AZ, home’s cooling system is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. New cooling systems cost thousands of dollars and greatly affect the overall comfort and safety of your home. Fortunately, there are several signs that you can watch for to help you determine when it’s time to replace your AC.
1. High Energy Bills
The more you use your air conditioning system and the older it gets, the less efficient it will become. This causes your equipment to use excessive amounts of energy, resulting in higher monthly cooling bills. With regular care and maintenance, you can improve its efficiency and keep cooling bills to a minimum. However, if your cooling bills keep going up despite power costs staying the same, this is a sure sign to consider replacing the AC in your home.
2. Strange Noises
If you hear noises coming from the AC unit that aren’t the normal hum, it might be a sign of a problem that needs the attention of a repairman. Certain noises can also indicate a replacement is better than a repair. Rattling or banging sounds could indicate a stuck component in the system. Screeching and shrieking noises usually signal a loose belt or motor issue that needs fixing. However, continuous grinding or pounding, combined with system age or inefficiency, can signal serious damage. This necessitates replacement for optimal performance and safety.
3. Frequent Repairs
Spending money on a regular basis for AC repairs can quickly add up. After just a few repairs, you may find yourself spending more money than you would have had you replaced the cooling system. This is why it’s important to keep track of repairs. By analyzing the frequency and type of repairs, you can determine whether it makes more sense to repair or replace the AC. Keep in mind that occasional repairs from time to time are quite normal. Spending money on AC fixes on a regular basis is not.
4. Bad Odors
Foul odors coming from your cooling system are a definite sign that there’s an underlying problem. Musty and moldy smells usually indicate a moisture problem in the ductwork or AC. When left unaddressed, mold problems can cause major health issues. They can also infiltrate and compromise your home’s structural integrity. Burning smells often mean there’s something wrong with the cooling system from an electrical standpoint. If terrible smells continue even after you clean and service your air conditioner, it could be time to get a new unit.
5.AC Equipment Is Old
You’ll find varying opinions on how often to replace a cooling system once it reaches a certain age. Some experts say you should replace AC units once every 20 years, regardless of whether they show signs of problems. Others recommend replacing cooling systems only when they start to fail. Though if you’ve had your AC for more than 15 years, you’ll likely save money on power costs by upgrading to a modern, more energy-efficient version. Plus, modern air conditioners are better for the environment because they use less harmful refrigerants and include thermostats that can reduce power usage while you’re not there.
6. Uneven Cooling
Cooling systems lose their capacity to evenly cool a home as they get older. The symptoms of uneven cooling can be especially apparent in multi-story homes. As the heat naturally rises to the upper-level floors, the AC will struggle to keep those floors nice and cool. Uneven cooling is a major warning sign of a cooling system that lacks efficiency and the capacity to keep a home comfortable. In many cases, the best thing to do is replace the AC.
7. Poor Indoor Quality
If your home has poor indoor air quality, you may notice an increase in allergy and asthma symptoms. This happens because of lingering pollutants in the air. Normally, the cooling system will trap and filter the contaminants so that they don’t circulate throughout the home. An aging or worn-out AC, however, will struggle to keep the air clean. If changing the air filter doesn’t resolve the air quality issues, it may be time to replace the whole cooling system.
8. Warranty Expiration
Having a warranty on an AC unit can provide substantial peace of mind. However, as the warranty approaches its expiration date, you must reconsider your approach to repairs, as they will no longer receive coverage. You may find it makes more financial sense to replace the whole system instead of spending money on repairs. This is particularly applicable to cooling systems that experience frequent problems after the warranty expires.
9. Safety Concerns
Cooling systems can present several safety risks that mean it’s time for replacement. These hazards can range from refrigerant leaks to electrical failures. Frozen evaporator coils, factory defects, and wear and tear are the main causes of these risks. An HVAC expert can carefully inspect the entire cooling system to help you decide whether to repair or replace it.
10. Excessive Cycling
Frequent cycling describes a cooling system that repeats the on-and-off operation without breaks. In addition to raising the cooling system’s energy consumption and your energy bills, frequent cycling is quite taxing on the system itself. Aging components, electrical issues, refrigerant leaks, and dirty air filters are among the most common causes of frequent cycling. Experts can sometimes fix frequent cycling problems with minor repairs. On other occasions, a complete system replacement may be necessary.
11. Excessive Humidity
When your home’s cooling system isn’t working properly, humidity levels may rise, which causes a cascade of issues. Mold and mildew thrive in damp environments, which may cause health problems and structural damage. On top of that, high levels of humidity are a nuisance because they make your home seem hotter than it really is. Regular maintenance will usually take care of minor humidity problems, but if they keep coming back, it means your air conditioner isn’t doing a good job of controlling the humidity. More importantly, it means you may need to replace your older model, which has a less effective dehumidification system, with a modern unit.
12. Visible Damage
A cooling system might show signs of wear and tear in the form of rust, corrosion, leaks, or broken parts. Corrosion and rust are common signs of prolonged contact with water, which weaken the system. Inefficiencies and water damage may result from leaks in various areas, such as refrigerant lines, condensate drains, or ducting. If the water damages certain parts, including fan blades or compressor coils, it will reduce the efficiency of the system. The cooling system is obviously getting close to its end of life if the observable damage is substantial, recurring, or irreparable. To avoid further damage or safety risks and to guarantee dependable operation, a replacement may be required.
A/C & Plumbing Doctors is here to help keep your home in Gilbert safe and comfortable. We provide AC, heating, plumbing, indoor air quality, and ductwork services. To schedule an AC replacement for your home, contact us today.
