Know If Your AC Needs Replacement

Every home needs a functional air conditioner/AC unit to survive the summer months. Air conditioning is a costly yet necessary utility. In order to avoid an expensive AC replacement, homeowners should consider purchasing a new AC when their old one reaches 15 years old or makes strange sounds that cannot be repaired. The age of the unit and other issues are good places to start when looking at how to know if your AC unit needs to be replaced.

There are many signs that indicate it may be time for an AC replacement:

-Your current system is over 15 years old. There is no set rule for replacing air conditioners/AC units, but industry professionals agree that they lose 5% in efficiency each year and will need replaced every decade or so.

-Your system is making strange sounds that you cannot fix. Your air conditioner/AC unit should not make strange or loud noises, as those could signify problems with the motor or other internal parts.

-You notice that your electricity meter has been running faster than usual when the AC is on.

-Leaks are beginning to develop around your existing AC unit/air conditioner. Your AC must resist water in order to function properly, so any leakage issues should be addressed immediately.

The degree of AC damage can vary from one situation to another, but it is important to start paying attention before you take on any further costs or repairs. If you are forced to make repairs to an air conditioner/AC unit before replacing it, those repairs will only become more expensive later on as the months go by.

Picking The Best AC Unit For Your Home

What is an air conditioner? A central air conditioning system, or a “split” system, uses two major components to cool the air of your home. One component consists of an outdoor unit that contains a condensate drain pan and compressor which are mounted outside on the ground near the house. The other major component is usually built into the interior wall of your home, referred to as an “applicable” or sometimes an “air handler.” It also has a drain pan but no compressor since it doesn’t need any refrigerant gas.

Air Conditioner Facts: You’ve probably heard that you should buy an Energy Star rated AC unit when purchasing a new model in order to be eligible for tax credits and rebates. While buying an Energy Star rated unit will save you some money on your electric bill, it’s not the only thing that is important when buying a new AC system.

Does Repair A Best Option?

Ever have your air conditioner stop working? It’s an unfortunate thing to deal with in the summertime. Or, even worse, it stops working when you need it most- right before a heat wave or just as some bad weather approaches. Sometimes you’re forced to get a new unit installed by professionals because replacing is cheaper than fixing in some cases. However, many people automatically opt for replacement without looking at repair options first. If you would like to explore your repair options, read on.

There are two main things that can be done when doing ac repair: coolant recovery & recharge and refrigerant leak repair. As an AC unit ages more of its Freon leaks from the system, which is why it’s important to have your unit’s Freon level checked annually. This lets you know how much more leakage you can expect over time and when it will be necessary to get a new unit. Refrigerant leak repair involves fixing leaks in the coils or other parts of your air conditioner so Freon doesn’t escape anymore.