To many people, their air conditioning system is an essential part of life throughout the summer months. In fact, it’s estimated that nearly five million households have air conditioning units. While it’s true that it increases your energy bill, it is also the most effective way of reducing your house to a bearable temperature throughout the year.
However, if you have air conditioning then you need to take good care of it. That means having it serviced every year, preferably by a specialist in industrial air conditioning. This will help it to run smoothly and last for as long as possible.
Of course, it’s an electrical appliance with a variety of components that will eventually wear out, forcing you to replace the unit. This can be expensive, which is why it’s essential that you know and recognize the 5 signs it’s time to replace your aircon.
1. Regular Repairs
In most cases, a regularly serviced aircon unit will run throughout the summer without an issue. This is because it has been serviced, all parts have been greased and checked to ensure they are working properly. Any issues will have been noted and you should have authorized the technician to solve the issues.
However, if the aircon unit keeps breaking down and you need to call the specialist to fix it, there is a good chance it is about to fail altogether. Regular repairs tell you that the strain is too much for the unit, possibly because it was badly sized for your home.
If you hang onto it, you’ll probably have to do more repairs and ultimately it will still fail. The only question is when.
2. Inability To Adjust Temperature Properly
You should be able to adjust the temperature of any room in the house by simply moving the thermostat dial. This will tell the unit what temperature you would like the air to be and it will adjust the air output accordingly.
If this doesn’t work then you may have an issue with your thermostat. But, if fixing or replacing the thermostat makes no difference you are likely to need a new unit. If you don’t invest in one your issues are likely to get worse and you’ll lose the unit when you need it most.
3. It Uses R-22 Freon
Air conditioning units use a refrigerant that attracts warmth from the air around the unit. This cools the air and allows the unit to blow the cooler air into the designated space.
However, older systems use a refrigerant known as R-22 Freon. This compound has a negative environmental impact which s why it is no longer being produced.
You don’t have to change your air conditioner yet. But, you do need to bear this in mind, it won’t be possible to fix your unit without access to more of the R-22, which means if you develop a refrigerant leak, it will be unlikely that your unit can be repaired.
4. Monthly Energy Bills Are Increasing
Energy bills are already high and climbing with all the issues facing the global economy. However, if you notice your bill is climbing more than you expect, or there hasn’t been a price increase but the cost is still increasing, you probably have an electrical issue.
As it’s summer and your air conditioning is on there is a good chance that the electrical issue is connected to your aircon unit. It suggests the unit is either malfunctioning or simply becoming inefficient. There are a number of potential causes and it can be worth talking to a specialist before you write the unit off. But, the reality is that it’s likely to be the end of your air conditioning unit.
5. Age
The average air conditioning unit today will last 10-15 years. That means if you have a unit that is older than 15 years or is approaching that age you may need to get ready to replace it.
The actual lifespan varies according to the unit, how often it is used, whether it is straining or not, etc. But, you should also note that it can be difficult to get parts for older units. That means if you have a unit that is 10 years old or more you need to be prepared to replace it.
Replacing Your Unit
When it comes to replacing an air conditioning unit you need to speak to the specialists. They will help you identify how much space and how many rooms you want to cool, and the most appropriate system for your budget. They can quickly have you up and running with a new, more efficient system.
All you have to do is make sure it is sized properly. If you undersize the unit it will have to work harder to achieve the correct temperature, which will shorten its lifespan which isn’t something you want.
