You should know when to replace your air conditioner for planning purposes, and for your own peace of mind! Let’s face it – air conditioning is probably the best part of modern living. Most people could probably part with their internet before they could live without AC! So you’ll want to think about the lifespan of your AC system, and what signs to look for to know when it’s on its way out.
How Long Do Air Conditioners Last?
Sadly, air conditioners do not last forever. While you may be able to get a good decade of service out of a faithful unit, there will come a time when it just doesn’t make sense to keep pouring money into repairs. AC systems don’t usually make it much past the 10-year mark.
Things that can help extend the life of your air conditioner are to get it serviced regularly (twice a year – once during the summer, and again during the winter). Keeping on top of regular maintenance can help prevent unforeseen breakdowns or repairs.
The lifespan of your system can be shortened by lack of routine maintenance or skipping necessary repairs – whether you couldn’t find the time to get it done, or didn’t realize there was a problem in the first place. Another thing that can keep you from getting the full-service life out of your central air conditioning is having an improperly sized unit for your property. For instance, if you built additional rooms onto your home, and didn’t upgrade your unit (or get a second one for the new space), there could be undue stress on your equipment.
Signs Your AC Is On the Way Out
So how can you tell when you’re getting close to needing a new air conditioner?
Here are some of the main things to look out for:
- Your AC has required several repairs recently
- The air conditioner is more than 10 years old
- A major component needs to be replaced
- Your system is older and your energy bills are too high
- Your system’s SEER value is below 13
The bottom line is, if you are suffering through frequent AC repairs, or facing a significant repair that costs more than half of a new system, the choice may be, more or less, already made for you.
Besides, there are many benefits to replacing your air conditioner! Depending on how old your system is, it is likely far from energy-efficient. You can get great savings (not to mention comfort) from a new, high-efficiency system.
Not too many homeowners are excited when the time comes to replace their air conditioner, but it’s something you’ll likely face every decade or so throughout the life of your home. Here at Patriot Heating and AC, we try to make the replacement process as easy on you as possible!