5 Signs That You Need to Replace Your Air Conditioner
During the summer, the weather in the Ronkonkoma, NY area can get quite warm and humid, so when that time arrives, your home’s comfort will depend heavily on the performance of your air conditioner. If your AC unit is old and in decline, it may perform poorly and inefficiently, causing you discomfort and adding significantly to your energy bills, or break down entirely. These reasons are why it’s important that you know when it’s time to replace your cooling system with a new unit. On average, household air conditioners last between 15 and 20 years before they need to be replaced. If you’ve had your current unit for close to that long, you should be on the lookout for warning signs that it’s time to invest in a replacement system.
1. Blowing Warm Air
When your air conditioner is healthy and functioning smoothly, the air it circulates will be consistently cool and refreshing. If your AC unit suddenly starts blowing warm air, that’s a pretty huge red flag. There are several potential causes for an air conditioner blowing warm air, but it usually means that a component is damaged or malfunctioning within the system. For example, the compressor may be broken, or there could be a significant refrigerant leak.
When a relatively new air conditioner starts blowing warm air, it will almost always be worth it to have the appliance repaired, but if your cooling system is reaching the end of its lifespan, it might be wise to consider replacing the unit. If you schedule an appointment with our team at Cool Power LLC, our skilled technicians will gladly inspect your AC unit and determine why it’s blowing warm air. Then, we can advise you on whether it makes more sense to repair or replace the appliance.
2. Loud Noises During Operation
Another warning sign that you may need to replace your air conditioner is your AC unit making loud noises while it’s running. Normally, your cooling system should be fairly quiet during operation, but if you start to hear persistent scraping, whistling, humming, squealing, or any other loud, unusual sound, it tells you that something isn’t right with the equipment. This type of problem is very common with air conditioners approaching the end of their lifespans. In most cases, strange AC noises are the result of a component wearing out or becoming damaged, which are issues that arise frequently with aging HVAC systems. At that point, you should think about investing in a replacement.
3. Leaking Water or Refrigerant
When your air conditioner is running, it’s constantly pulling moisture from the air, which it then removes from your home via its condensate drain line. The appliance also uses refrigerant, which spends time in its liquid form during the process of cooling your household. Normally, both the water and refrigerant will be kept contained within the AC unit, but as your cooling system ages and deteriorates, it becomes more and more likely for leaks to develop. If the system starts leaking, you’ll typically notice signs of moisture near the appliance, and if it’s leaking refrigerant, you may notice additional problems, such as the AC unit struggling to produce cold air.
One small leak isn’t necessarily a reason to replace your air conditioner, but when an AC unit starts springing leaks regularly, that problem will only continue to get worse until you invest in a new cooling system. At Cool Power LLC, our HVAC professionals can locate any leaks that are present and repair them for you. Additionally, our expert team will also provide you with their expert opinion and let you know if replacing your HVAC unit may be in your best interest.
4. Rising Cooling Costs
One of the most clear-cut symptoms of a deteriorating air conditioner is consistently rising energy bills. If you pay close attention to your electricity costs every year, you should have a pretty good idea of what to expect to pay each summer. As your AC unit gets older, it’s normal for its efficiency to gradually decline, but if your system is close to 15 years old, you should be on the lookout for more significant spikes in its energy usage. The closer the appliance is to the end of its lifespan, the harder it will need to work to keep your home comfortable. As its components start to wear out in its old age, the natural decline will continue to get worse, and you run the risk of potentially more money than you are accustomed to on energy costs. Having the unit serviced might help a bit, but if it’s truly running out of steam, replacing the air conditioner may be something that you may need to start considering.
5. Unusually High Humidity Levels
During Ronkonkoma summers, the moisture in the air can sometimes be more uncomfortable than the actual heat, but when your air conditioner is doing its job properly, it will consistently remove that water from the air in your home to keep it from getting too humid. As the appliance gets up there in years, though, it may start struggling to pull moisture out of the air. In some cases, this is a product of the AC unit’s airflow weakening, which prevents as much air from passing over the evaporator coil. As a result, a far smaller percentage of the air in your dwelling gets successfully dehumidified. If you encounter this issue with an air conditioner that may be nearing the end of its lifespan, buying a new system may be your best bet. As soon as you upgrade to a new cooling unit, the humidity problem in your home should be solved.
The Benefits of Upgrading Your Air Conditioner
Although a new AC unit for your home is a large expense, purchasing one will also offer quite a few advantages. When an air conditioner is brand-new, it is likely to be at its very best in terms of performance and efficiency. For several years after upgrading, you and your family should enjoy reliable comfort and reasonably low energy costs. Plus, HVAC technology is constantly advancing, which means the new system you buy will likely be far more advanced than the unit it’s replacing. It will not only be more efficient and powerful, but it’s also likely to have a variety of modern features. At Cool Power LLC, our team will be happy to assist you in choosing a new AC unit that’s perfect for your home.
At Cool Power LLC, we’ve been keeping families in the greater Ronkonkoma area comfortable since 1976. For both heating and cooling systems, our expert technicians offer maintenance, repairs, and installations. We offer 24/7 emergency service, flexible scheduling, and dedicated customer service. Contact us at Cool Power LLC today to schedule an appointment with our team!
