For most places in the country, an air conditioner is not a luxury but a necessity. Scorching hot summer days and nights can make it impossible to stay inside a hothouse that has no air conditioner or airflow. So, if you’ve been noticing that the air coming out of your air conditioner isn’t as cool as it once was or if your unit is making some strange knocks or bangs, then you may be wondering if it’s time to make a decision about whether you need air conditioner repair services or need to replace it.
Although you may fear that your air conditioner is done for, malfunctioning units can usually be fixed. Yet, sometimes, replacing the unit is the best way to go. Below are some of the questions you should consider when you trying to decide the best course of action for making sure you are cool and happy inside your home.
How Old Is Your Air Conditioner?
The first thing you need to consider about ac repair is the age of your air conditioner. Usually, if your unit is 15 to 20 years old, then it may be time to replace it altogether. Every mechanical piece of equipment has its own life cycle, and after a certain amount of time, things simply start breaking down more frequently as the wear and tear catch up with it.
If you live in a hotter climate where you run your unit more, then the lifespan of your air conditioner may even be shorter, lasting only 10 to 12 years. Really, it may be better to replace an air conditioner that is older than 10 years rather than continues to sink money into constant repairs.
Is Your Air Conditioner Energy-Efficient?
Another reason why you might not consider air conditioner repair is that your unit is not energy efficient. Older air conditioner units aren’t generally built to today’s high standards while new units consume less energy and yet have the same output of cold air. Additionally, by installing an energy-efficient a/c unit, you can actually significantly lower the cost of your electrical bill, which could mean big savings that more than makeup for the cost of your new air conditioner.
Is Your Air Conditioner The Right Size?
Often, houses or buildings have air conditioner units that aren’t ideal for their size. If you have an air conditioner that is too small for your home, it won’t cool it down very well, which could be why you’re suffering so much in the summer.
On the other hand, air conditioner units can also be too big for your home. That means an oversized system is cooling your home down too quickly, then shutting off, and turning back on again, creating a constant cycle that wears out parts too quickly. When assessing your a/c unit and whether it needs your ac repair, be sure to consider its size and whether a smaller or larger unit might be more effective for cooling your home.
Are There Other Issues?
Last, you want to know if that are any other issues that may be affecting your air conditioner beyond the unit itself. Inefficient ductwork could be a cause for your hot and sweltering home if it is leaking or blocked. Also, your thermostat may not be functioning correctly, which could be the reason for your issues.