It can be hard for homeowners to determine when it is really time to start planning for a new AC unit. For the most part, you hope that your AC technician is honest with you and provides you with accurate information. But you can also be on the lookout for some specific indicators that will provide you with some insight. These signs, along with an honest evaluation of how much you use your AC, the climate that you live in, and the level of maintenance and care that you have provided will help you to decide when a new AC unit is your best choice.
Signs That The Time Is Near:
- The age of your AC unit is one of the factors that will significantly influence your choice. The industry-standard life expectancy for the average AC unit is between 10 and 15 years. You can expect to be on the lower end of that scale if you live in a climate that is warm year-round, and on the higher end of the range in the northern part of the country where the AC season is less than half of the year. In addition, an AC that has been regularly maintained by a professional technician is going to have a longer life than one that has suffered a great deal of neglect. For this part of your judgment call, the honor system is all that you can rely on for guidance. But know that an annual maintenance appointment goes a long way to getting the most bang for your buck where your AC is concerned.
- Take some time to evaluate how well your current AC unit is doing its job. If you are always too warm and the house never seems to be cool enough, then it makes sense to begin thinking about a replacement. You can try having the unit cleaned and tuned-up. But if that does not provide the level of cooling that you want, then start budgeting for a new AC unit as soon as possible.
- If you try to avoid using your AC because of the enormous increase it brings to your utility bill, then a new, more energy-efficient unit could be your best choice. Again, having a professional AC technician take a look at your unit is always a good idea. It could be possible to improve the units function and energy-efficiency with a good cleaning and tune-up. But this is only a temporary fix in most cases, and a new unit should be on the horizon so that you can be comfortable in your home during the hot months.
- If you have called a professional AC technician to evaluate your AC and gotten a laundry list of necessary repairs, then a new unit might be the most economical option for you. The general guideline for repairing an AC unit is that you never invest more than 50% of the cost of a new unit in your existing one. Because of the increased energy efficiency of a new unit and the reduction in your utility bills, a new AC will provide a better return on your investment than fixing the current one.
It can be challenging to know whom you can trust to provide you with an honest evaluation of your current AC unit. But residents know that Gordon AC & Plumbing is the one to trust for all of your service and installation needs. A call to (318) 202-9144 will schedule your appointment to learn more about the condition of your AC, the possibility for repairs that will increase its function, and the cost options for installing a new AC unit in your home. We know that this is a big decision and a significant investment for our customers, and we will do everything that we can to help you find the solution that works for you and your budget.
