8 Signs that Your AC Unit Needs Repairing or Replacing

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It is almost officially Summertime and the Georgia heat is right around the corner. Have you turned the unit from heat to cool yet? Here are some signs that your air conditioning system needs to be inspected and either tuned up or invest in a new one:

  1. Strange Noises
    Most AC’s consist of a variety of motors, fans, belts and motors, and any or all of these components could potentially produce odd sounds when bent, misaligned, or simply worn. Air conditioners are very complex systems, which can make troubleshooting a little tricky especially with regards to strange noises.
  2. High Utility Bills
    You just got your utility bill and you had to sit down reading it. If your energy bill is suddenly sky-high, it might be a sign that your AC’s efficiency has been compromised, quite possibly as a result of a soiled or clogged air filter.
  3. Inefficient
    You’ve probably heard the word “efficiency” being thrown around regarding your air conditioner. Efficiency is the ratio of energy that is put into a mechanical system in relation to how much usable energy it produces. If your air conditioner has a low SEER rating, it can cost you a lot of money to operate it. Newly manufactured air conditioners must have a SEER rating of at least 13. If your air conditioner’s SEER rating is below 13, you can cut back on your energy costs by replacing it with a new, more efficient unit.
  4. Age of Air Conditioner
    How old is your unit? In general, you can expect a well-maintained air conditioner to last about 15 years. If you are looking at expensive repairs and your air conditioner is over 10 years old, look at both options – repairing and replacing. It will often make more sense to replace it. This is especially true when you consider the advancements in efficiency we’ve seen with air conditioners in the past decade alone. Any time you’re facing an expensive repair, you’ll want to weigh the costs of the repair against the costs of a new unit. If the cost of the repair would cover a large part of a new system, and especially if your air conditioner is showing any of the other signs in this list, it will likely make more financial sense to replace it.
  5. Water Puddles
    Fluids are involved in the working of an air conditioner. One of the critical processes that take place in an AC is condensation which is the change of a gas to a liquid. The moisture is collected in a pan of sorts and transported outside via a tube. If the drain or tube is blocked or has become disconnected, you’ll notice a puddle of water in the vicinity of the unit. It is important to act quickly if you see a puddle or puddles so you don’t have any leaking damage to your home. Call a reputable local HVAC company to inspect it.
  6. Breakdowns
    Is your air conditioner constantly breaking down? These repair costs can really add up, and it doesn’t make sense to keep making them on older units. Save yourself the headaches and the money by investing in a new unit.
  7. R 22 Freon or R410A
    Is your air conditioner unit still using R 22 Freon?Freon is being phased out by the federal government in order to conserve energy nationwide. As a result, the costs of Freon are rising exponentially. If your air conditioner uses Freon, you’ll have to replace it eventually in order to switch over to the new refrigerant (R410A). If you’re having major problems with your air conditioner, especially if they involve the need for more Freon, it’s probably a good time to replace your unit.
  8. Failure to Cool
    The most obvious sign of an AC that’s on the fritz is a failure to cool your home down. If the air blowing out from your air conditioner feels hot then obviously something is wrong. Problems with air temperature can generally be traced to the refrigerant, which is the compound responsible for absorbing warm air. If your AC is not keeping your home cool, you’ll want to repair or replace it with a unit that will.

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