Staying cool during the Gambrills, MD summer requires a reliable air conditioner. Ideally, your home’s AC unit should be able to provide consistent comfort while running efficiently and remaining healthy. However, as your cooling system gets older, its performance and energy efficiency will inevitably decline. Plus, equipment problems will become more frequent. If you want to maintain the comfort and functionality of your home year-round, you need to know when it’s the right time to replace your current air conditioner. Here, we’ll take a look at a few of the most common warning signs that you need a new AC unit in your home.
1. Unusually Expensive Cooling Bills
As an AC unit ages, its energy efficiency is one area where it will gradually decline. Generally, your monthly cooling bills will get more expensive throughout the system’s lifespan. However, keeping up with regular maintenance and properly caring for your air conditioner can help preserve its efficiency. Eventually, though, these measures will lose their effectiveness. As a result, you may notice your summer utility bills rising much higher than you’re used to. When this occurs with an older AC unit, it’s typically time to consider investing in a replacement system. As soon as you’ve upgraded to a brand-new air conditioner, you should see a major drop in your monthly cooling costs.
2. Frequent Mechanical Problems
If you have had your air conditioner for many years, it’s undoubtedly going to encounter occasional mechanical issues. Most of these problems will be relatively minor, and typically, it will be no problem for local HVAC professionals to repair them. When your cooling system is relatively young, spending money on an equipment fix is almost always the most prudent option. However, once the appliance gets older, this may stop being the case.
Often, when an AC unit is in decline, mechanical problems will become more and more frequent. It may start to feel like you’re constantly paying for professional repairs. When this situation arises, it may be wiser to put that money toward a replacement air conditioner. If you continue to run your aging cooling system, the equipment issues will likely become even more frequent until you pull the trigger on purchasing a replacement AC.
3. Unreliable Cooling Performance
Ultimately, your air conditioner’s most important job is keeping your dwelling cool and comfortable. When the system is brand new, it should be able to quickly fill your entire home with conditioned air, providing you and your family with consistent comfort. Over the years, though, wear and tear on the AC equipment will start impacting its performance. For example, it may start taking significantly longer for your house to reach an even, comfortable temperature. You may also start experiencing hot and cold spots around your home. These are strong warning signs that the appliance is approaching the end of its lifespan.
If you feel that your current AC unit isn’t doing its job effectively, you should consider replacing it with a newer, more effective cooling system.
4. The Appliance Is Over 15 Years Old
Although every air conditioner is different, household cooling units typically remain effective for around 10 to 15 years. If you’ve taken excellent care of your cooling unit and scheduled professional tune-ups every year, it may run smoothly for a bit longer. That said, an air conditioner that’s over 15 years old will never run at peak performance and efficiency. If the system is still doing its job, you can potentially squeeze a bit more time out of it. However, once an AC unit has reached this age, replacing it will almost certainly be beneficial.
A brand-new air conditioner will be at its best. This will mean immediate improvements to the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. Additionally, an AC unit over 15 years old could break down or suffer a serious malfunction at any time. If you invest in a new cooling system, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that it’s likely to remain healthy for the foreseeable future.
Expert AC Professionals in Gambrills
At JJ Heating & Cooling Company, we’ve been providing Gambrills residents with top-tier HVAC services since 2017. Our expert technicians offer a full complement of heating and air conditioning services, including maintenance, repairs, and installations. We’re also available to handle various other home comfort services with dedication and proficiency. These include indoor air quality solutions, air duct services, chimney and liner installations, and dryer vent cleanings.
Call our office at JJ Heating & Cooling Company today to learn more or schedule an appointment!
