When Should Your Repair or Replace Your Air Conditioner
With summer around the corner, we have to make sure that we are ready to face this summer.
One of the major steps towards preparing oneself for summer is to ensure that our favorite appliance, the air conditioner, is in tip-top mode. After all, it is one of the appliances that will work hard during the summer. In order to get your air conditioner to work throughout the summer without any hiccups, you need to make sure it is in perfect working condition.
Unfortunately, maintenance of air conditioners is one of the most overlooked aspects. Therefore, it is advisable to get regular maintenance by a professional and get things repaired if broken, or in some cases, replaced.
If you are wondering whether to get your AC repaired or replaced, here we are to help make that decision.
These are some factors to consider:
- Boost in your utility bill
Increased utility bills are a sure sign of an inefficient AC unit. An inefficient AC will work too hard to cool your room and, hence, will contribute to a sudden spike in your energy bill.
There are many reasons behind an inefficient AC: debris getting stuck in pipes, poor maintenance, air duct leakage, and many more.
If your energy bills are going through the roof this summer, it’s time to get professional help and schedule a maintenance appointment. Even after its maintenance, the energy bills are still high. It’s time to get an upgrade. - The age of the air conditioner
The typical life expectancy of an air conditioner is around 15-20 years, but due to poor maintenance or some other reason, they might not work at their full efficiency for that long. When the AC gets old, it starts working hard to cool the room, or sometimes it doesn’t cool as well as it should. If you have noticed a decline in the performance of your AC, there might be something wrong with it.
A lot can go wrong with the AC, like dusty filters, leaking dust pipes, wear and tear of different parts, and many more, which can be taken care of by professional help. But after a certain period of time, simple maintenance might not do the trick, and then you will have to replace the whole thing. - Decreased efficiency of the air conditioning unit
If your AC is years old and runs the whole day but still doesn’t cool your room like it used to, it is probably an inefficient one. It is either time to get it thoroughly checked or replaced.
If you are still not willing to part ways with your AC, there are a few things you can do:
You can have addons like a programmable thermostat or a dehumidifier:
– A programmable thermostat: it will help improve your control over the temperature.
– Dehumidifier: it helps in keeping your room cool and controls humidity, improving the overall efficiency of your AC. - Inadequate cooling and airflow
One of the most obvious signs that your AC needs repair is that it no longer cools your room like it used to.
If your AC unit is not cooling enough, there is a good chance there is some issue with it. It could be a technical issue or maintenance issues such as debris stuck in the vents restricting air flow, or your air conditioner is old and needs to be replaced.
If your air conditioner is not cooling, it’s time to get it checked. If it’s neither a technical issue nor a maintenance issue, then your AC is just old, it’s time to replace it. - Unusual noise
If there is a new sound when the AC is working, like grinding, chattering, or squeaking, there is definitely an issue with your AC. Most AC units are supposed to operate by making a certain sound, which is barely noticeable, but other sounds are typically a sign of some maintenance issue, or just your AC being old.
In short, if there is any new sound that is attracting your attention, it’s time to get it checked or get an upgrade to new equipment.
Always get professional advice before deciding whether to get your AC repaired or replaced. Depending on the problems with your AC, a professional can help you fix it. And if it is beyond repair, it may be time to say good-by to your old pal and upgrade to something new.
So, this summer, take matters in your hand and enjoy a cool summer without any AC breakdowns.
Have a happy summer!!
