Check If Your AC Needs Replacement
Your air conditioning unit is one of the main appliances in your home. Like any other appliance, it needs to be replaced after so many years depending on its quality and service.
Know when to replace your AC unit by checking these signs:
- Old age
- Most AC units last for about 15 years. If yours has already lasted this long, then it might need replacing soon. It’s not just that—if you can remember having it installed way back when, then that’s also a big red flag signaling that it’s time you looked at new models.
- The brand no longer makes replacement parts
- If the manufacturer has stopped making replacement parts for your AC unit because they deem them obsolete, it’s time you replaced the whole thing. They aren’t likely to start producing replacement parts for your model or year anytime soon if they don’t think there will be enough demand for them.
Picking A New AC Unit
The air conditioner is likely the biggest purchase you will make in your home. Even if it’s not, it’s probably the most important one. It’s not something you can simply go into a store and buy without knowledge. You need to know what unit is best for your house, outside of that box stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s are no better off than you when trying to pick an AC unit. This article should help get you started on picking the right AC unit for your home (or business).
First, let me say there are two types of units out there: central and room units (inverter). For this article I’m going to focus entirely on central units since they’re far more popular and more widely used.
The first thing you’ll need to know is that there are two types of AC units out on the market, variable speed and fixed speed. Fixed speed units are cheap but unreliable. Variable speed units run more efficiently (all things being equal) but cost more money.
Does Repair An Option?
If you have noticed that your air conditioner is not running properly, it may be time to look for an air conditioning repair service. Repairing instead of replacing the whole unit can save you money in the long run, but keep in mind that there are certain instances where replacement is necessary. This will discuss what you can do before making a major purchase decision.
Before you do anything else, check and make sure that your AC unit does not need Freon or refrigerant. This liquid helps cool down your home and without it, the machine will not work at all. When this happens, it can lead to other problems like dripping water and static shocks in appliances because of hot coils—which means more repair costs further down the line.
If there is already a leak in the system, you will need to replace parts like the evaporator coil, condenser coil and expansion valve. An ac repair professional can do most of this work for you, so you will not have to worry about doing it yourself. If you want to know if there is a loose connection or damaged part on your unit, call someone who has experience working on air conditioners.