4 Signs You Need to Replace Your Air Conditioner

Being a homeowner means making tough decisions. We’ve all heard that investing in a home increases its value, but deciding where and how to do it can be challenging. Should you update the kitchen? Finish the basement? The answer isn’t always straightforward.

Regarding your air conditioning system, the decision-making process gets even more complicated. Unless you’re a trained HVAC professional from a reliable company, like Kan-Service company, it can be challenging to determine whether a faulty air conditioner needs a new thermostat battery or a more extensive repair. For homeowners with older air conditioners, the decision often comes down to whether to repair the unit or replace it entirely.

Deciding whether to replace your old air conditioner is a big decision. Modern air conditioners can last up to fifteen years, so choosing the right unit to meet your home’s cooling needs is essential. It’s not a decision you should make hastily. But you may have no choice if your old air conditioner breaks down on a 105-degree day. You’ll have to make a decision fast.

Like an old car, air conditioners show signs of failure before they break down. By paying attention to the performance of your old air conditioner, you can start preparing to buy a new unit before you need it.

Age Matters: How Old is Too Old for Your AC?

The age of your air conditioner is a crucial factor in determining whether it’s time for a replacement. Most air conditioners have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years, depending on the quality of the unit and how well it has been maintained. If your air conditioner is approaching or has exceeded this age range, it’s likely time to start considering a replacement. Older units are more prone to breakdowns, inefficiencies, and higher repair costs, making them less reliable and more expensive to operate.

As air conditioners age, their components can wear out and become less effective. This can lead to reduced cooling performance, increased energy consumption, and more frequent repairs. Additionally, older units may not have the same energy-efficient features as newer models, meaning they can cost more to operate over time. Upgrading to a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner can provide significant savings on your utility bills and improve your home’s comfort.

Another factor to consider is that older air conditioners may use outdated refrigerants, such as R-22 (Freon), which are being phased out due to their environmental impact. If your air conditioner uses an outdated refrigerant, it may become increasingly difficult and expensive to service. Replacing your old unit with a new one that uses a more environmentally friendly refrigerant can help you avoid these issues and ensure that your system is compliant with current regulations.

Significant signs that your air conditioner need replacement

1. Your Air Conditioner Is More Than Ten Years Old

It may seem obvious, but if your air conditioner is getting old, you should start preparing to buy a new unit. Unlike furnaces, air conditioners are often outdoors and exposed to extreme temperatures throughout the year, which shortens their lifespan. Modern air conditioners can last more than 15 years, but older models last about 10-12 years.

The health and efficiency of your air conditioner depend on several factors, including how well it has been serviced or how often it has been in service. If you have missed your annual maintenance and the filters in your system are dirty, your air conditioner will be under strain and could be in the red.

Age can also affect how well your air conditioner cools your home on the hottest days. Understanding whether the air conditioner is appropriately sized and suitable for your home is essential.

If you have maintained your air conditioner in good condition throughout its life, expect to need a replacement after about 10 to 15 years. Keep in mind that as your air conditioner ages, its mechanical parts may become inaccessible or obsolete. You must buy a new unit if you cannot replace a broken part.

2. Your Air Conditioner Breaks Down Often

If you have your air conditioner serviced by a qualified technician every year, it should not break down in the summer. A lack of maintenance causes many common air conditioner problems, and maintaining your air conditioner will help prevent them. HVAC technicians can also identify and fix any issues your air conditioner may be experiencing before the summer season begins.

With all this said, if your air conditioner is experiencing numerous breakdowns despite regular maintenance, this is cause for concern. You may not need to replace your air conditioner immediately, but you should start preparing for it if your unit breaks down.

Frequent breakdowns also mean frequent repairs, which can add up in cost. At a certain point, buying a new unit may be more cost-effective than spending money on expensive repairs, especially if the warranty has expired.

3. Your energy bills have increased dramatically

If there have been no drastic changes in your home’s energy use, your energy bill should remain roughly the same each month, with a slight fluctuation during furnace and air conditioning seasons. If your energy consumption habits have remained the same, but your monthly bill has increased noticeably, it may be time for a new air conditioner.

Higher energy bills may indicate that your air conditioner is either losing efficiency or is getting old. Energy efficiency tends to decrease as an air conditioner ages, so the two issues may be related.

Getting a high energy bill once or twice is not a cause for concern. However, if your energy bills are rising and not going down, you may want to start looking for a new air conditioner.

4. Your Air Conditioner Uses R-22

Freon production has been discontinued. This may not seem like a big deal, but it could impact your home more than you think! If your air conditioner is over a decade old, there’s a good chance it contains a refrigerant known as R-22. R-22 has been shown to have negative environmental impacts, and the Environmental Protection Agency is phasing it out.

If your air conditioner uses this refrigerant, don’t panic. You can still use it after 2023. However, you should start preparing for a replacement. If your air conditioner fails after 2023 and requires a refrigerant refill, R-22 will no longer be available. In this case, you’ll need to replace your air conditioner with a safer, modern refrigerant model.

Buying a new air conditioner doesn’t have to be a surprise. By monitoring your unit’s performance, you can determine when to start preparing for a replacement.