HVAC Maintenance and Design Tips for Swimming Pools and Gyms

If the summer heat has started to leave you questioning the integrity of your home's air conditioning system, you might be thinking about investing in AC replacement. If you are seriously considering replacing your home's AC, it's important to consider whether or not your air conditioner needs to be replaced. The fact is that there are a few key indications that your air conditioning system could benefit from replacement. Here's a look at what you need to know about determining whether or not you need AC replacement.

How Old Is Your Air Conditioner?

One of the first things you need to think about when you're evaluating whether or not you need air conditioning replacement is the age of your system. Most central air conditioning systems are designed to last up to two decades, but if yours is nearing 15 years or so, you may want to start considering replacement. Those last few years often leave you facing more frequent repairs and less efficient cooling, so it may be in your best interest to pursue replacement now instead of waiting for the unit to die.

What Kind Of Refrigerant Does Your Air Conditioner Use?

Another important thing to think about is what type of refrigerant your air conditioner uses. Freon is no longer in use in newer machines, and it is now harder and more expensive to access as a result. If your air conditioner happens to spring a leak, you may have a difficult time getting the Freon that you need to restore its operation.

If your air conditioner uses Freon as a refrigerant, you'll want to talk with your air conditioner technician about replacing the unit with a new one. The newer models use a different refrigerant solution that's better for the environment and more easily accessible. 

What Is Your Air Conditioner's Efficiency Rating?

Even if your air conditioner isn't nearing the end of its usable life, you should still consider the efficiency rating of the unit. Older units, even as recent as 5 or 10 years old, might be less efficient than the newer models. That inefficiency can prove costly over time due to the increased energy consumption.

If your air conditioner has a lower efficiency rating than most on the market today, you might want to think about investing in air conditioner replacement. The cost of the replacement can be offset over time by the reduced energy consumption needed to keep your home cool.

What Kind Of Repair Costs Are You Facing?

Think about the repair costs you've faced over the last couple of seasons. If the air conditioner has needed repeated repairs over the last several years, those repair costs can add up pretty quickly — not to mention that if you're facing a significant repair bill for a major problem in the system, you may find that it's in your best interest to invest in a new air conditioner instead of those repair bills.

When a central air conditioning unit starts requiring more frequent repairs, you'll eventually end up investing more money into fixing it than you'd spend on a whole new unit. Talk with your air conditioning replacement technician about installing a new system.

You've Made Changes To Your Home

If you've remodeled your home and either built an addition or changed the floorplan, your existing air conditioner may not be sufficient for keeping the area cool anymore. Airflow through your home will change with the remodel. 

Talk with an air conditioning technician about assessing your home's current floorplan and airflow to determine if your air conditioner should be upgraded to meet the new layout.

These are a few of the things you should consider if you're thinking about an air conditioner replacement. Your air conditioner technician can help you assess each of these considerations to help you determine if you need a new central air conditioner for your home.