When Is It Time To Replace Your Central Air Conditioner?

It is recommended that you replace an air conditioning after ten to fifteen years.

St. Louis Air Conditioner

Even though you probably just shut it down for the winter, if you have been considering replacing your central air conditioning unit now is the best time to do it. Ask your HVAC technician to stop by your house to discuss all of your options.

Life Expectancy Of An Air Conditioner

Energy Star recommends that you replace an air conditioning unit that is older than 10 years. Our suggestion is that if yours has started to require frequent repairs or you notice an increase in your utility bills it may be time for a new one. Your HVAC technician can look over your old unit and help you decide if replacing it will be cost effective in the long run. The life expectancy of an air conditioner is only about 8 to 12 years. Anything beyond that and repairs become costly. You may even run into difficulty finding replacement parts if your model has been discontinued. Something else to consider is that heating and cooling equipment is constantly being improved upon. A unit that was installed 10 years ago most likely did not even have the energy efficiency of models on the market today. You could see savings of up to 60% in your utility bills by replacing an old unit with a newer, more energy efficient one. The HVAC technician will do a complete check of your existing air conditioning unit to determine its condition. They will note whether the brand is a reputable one and whether or not it has received consistent maintenance. The number of breakdowns will also be considered.

Signs Your Air Conditioning System Needs Replacement

Once your air conditioning system has lived its age and requires a replacement, it will start giving you some signals. It is for you to identify these signals and understand that repairs can no longer work, and the only alternative that you have is to replace the air conditioner. Here are some signals to watch for:

Temperature Is Not Consistent

One common signal that tells you that you need to replace your air conditioning system is that there will be inconsistencies in the temperature in your home. Some rooms will be cooler than others, or in some rooms, the vents will release a lot of air, while in other rooms, there will be a lot of humidity and warmth. Such problems could result from problems in the ductwork, malfunctioning of the air conditioning system, or improper insulation.

The Age of the Air Conditioning System

If the air conditioning system or the pump has lived its age of ten to fifteen years, then you might consider replacing the system. Replacing it will offer you benefits such as better cooling, energy efficiency, lower power bills, and reduced carbon emissions.

It Requires Frequent Repairs

If you are sick of calling up the HVAC company for air conditioner repairs and paying hefty bills, then it may be time to replace the system. If you have to get your air conditioning system repaired more than once during the season, and the problems keep cropping up even after repairs, it is a strong signal that you should stop wasting money on repairs and invest in a new air conditioner.

Higher Power Bills

Old, worn-out air conditioning systems usually eat up a lot of energy, and this will begin to show up in your power bills. Even after regular seasonal maintenance, if your electricity bills are piling up, then you should consider switching to a more energy-efficient unit.

Excessive Humidity and Dust

Problems such as leaky ductwork, inadequate equipment, or poor equipment operation can cause the internal air to be too humid in summer and too dry in the winter. It may also allow a lot of dust to enter the air. If these are persistent problems in your house even after maintenance, then you should think about replacing your air conditioning system.

If you think that your air conditioning system is giving you any of the above signals, then consult with Engineered Solutions at (314) 394-0802. We will inspect your system, and based on your requirements, we will offer you suggestions on the air conditioning system that will best meet your needs. From consultation to installing and maintaining the systems, Engineered Solutions offers end-to-end solutions.

Why Consider Replacing During The Winter?

We recommend replacing the central air conditioning unit now for a few reasons. First, the summer rush for HVAC companies is over, giving them more time to complete the installation. If you wait until the weather changes again, you stand the chance of being without air conditioning in your home when it is 90 degrees outside. Plus, you may get end-of-season savings on the purchase of a new unit. Look at it like buying a bathing suit in September. You are planning for next year while taking advantage of clearance sales.

Families spend at least 50% of their time inside the comfort of their own homes. As a homeowner, you want to make that home feel as good as possible. On top of that, you are adding value to your home when you replace an antiquated unit with a new one. When making this type of investment in your home, you are going to want to make sure you receive the most value for your money. Pick an HVAC contractor with a good reputation and years of experience.

Call Engineered Solutions Heating and Air Conditioning at (314) 394-0802. It may seem that you have time to make this decision, but before you know it, the days will be getting longer, and the temperatures will be rising. You want your home to be completely prepared to take on next summer’s heat.