While you might want to remain forever young, your air conditioner won’t last nearly as long. In fact, air conditioners only last between 10-15 years in the best cases. You might know someone who has an AC unit that’s 20+ years old, but there could be multiple compounding problems with it, which may end up costing more than it’s worth. In this post, we’ll be going over some telltale signs that your air conditioner is coming up on its retirement.
Honestly, there’s nothing wrong with keeping your AC as long as you can. We get it, brand-new air conditioning service in Maple Grove, MN can be a huge investment when you’re not expecting it. However, elderly AC units don’t only break down, sometimes they’ll run inefficiently and ineffectively for years after they should be replaced. At that point, you’ll be paying a lot of money for a system that’s not doing what it should be.
Well, let’s get down to business and see if your AC is ready for retirement.
Common Problems
A vigilant air conditioner owner will be able to spot some of these concerns as they come up. Though, it’s no need to fret if you don’t notice these right away since a professional HVAC technician can spot these problems for you. Make sure to let us know if you notice any of the following issues!
- Old Age. Like we mentioned earlier, most air conditioner models last 10-15 years at best. This is just due to normal wear and tear from being active every year.
- It’s Inefficient. Older AC models are just less efficient than newer models being produced today. This is just a fact and due to the more efficient technology being invented year after year.
- It’s Ineffective. Are you finding many hot spots in your home where your air conditioner just can’t seem to cool down? This isn’t just natural, your air conditioner might be getting less effective every year because of its age. Sometimes you can mitigate this problem by closing curtains and limiting sunlight to increase cooling power—but this simple solution will only get you so far.
- Higher Utility Bills. One of the easiest ways to tell that your old AC is getting less efficient as it ages, is that it will start consuming more energy and costing you money. If you compare your energy bills to the year before and notice a staggering change, it could be time for a replacement.
- R-22 “Freon” Refrigerant. Older air conditioners run with a refrigerant called Freon that has now been phased out by the government. Freon is a gas that is incredibly harmful to the ozone layer of our atmosphere, and is only going to get more expensive since the last remaining stocks of Freon are running out. Newer air conditioners function with R-410A, a newer refrigerant that’s cheaper and easier to acquire. Consider this a big reason to replace your AC system.
In short, if any of these points apply to you, we heavily advise you to look into replacing your air conditioner. A well-trained and certified service technician will help walk you through the process and answer any other questions you have.
For all your AC needs, contact Residential Heating and Air Conditioning today!