Every homeowner in Florida wants their air conditioners to last as long as possible. That’s a reasonable desire considering how often you use your AC system in the extended cooling season.
But eventually, you’ll get to the point where keeping an outdated AC running is costing you more than replacing it. So how do you know when your AC needs repair or replacement? Knowing this is crucial because no one wants to replace an air conditioner before it’s too soon. Let’s go over four surefire signs that you should replace your air conditioner instead of opting for another AC repair.
1. Your Energy Bills Are Increasing
Every homeowner in Florida is very familiar with their monthly utility bills. That’s why you’ll notice when you’re paying more than usual. If your bill has slowly increased over time or even worse–suddenly skyrocketed to astronomical amounts–it’s a sign that your AC is declining.
Unusually high utility bills that can’t be explained by increased usage could be an indication of wear and tear on the system that has reached critical levels, causing your AC to work inefficiently. When an AC nears the end of its lifespan, its efficiency levels drop dramatically. That means it will need to run for longer to achieve the same temperature it was able to reach easily before. At this point, the logical thing to do is to replace the system.
2. The $5,000 Rule
If there’s one good thing about having a costly repair estimate in your hand, it’s that this can help you determine if it’s time for AC replacement. It’s a simple formula that is the easiest way to determine if it’s time.
All you have to do is multiply the cost of the repair by how old your AC is in years. For example, if the repair is $600 and your AC is 7 years old, $600 x 7 equals $4200. Because $4200 is less than $5000, it makes sense to schedule the repair. If you use this formula and get a result that exceeds $5,000, it makes sense to replace the system.
3. The System Is Old
The average lifespan of an air conditioner that has received regular, annual maintenance iis 10-15 years. If you’ve neglected those yearly tune-ups, your AC may only last for 6-8 years. Once it reaches this range, you’ll notice its performance declining. You may be able to get a few more years out of the system, but you’ll benefit far more from replacing it at this point than you would by waiting even a year or two.
4. Your Home Comfort Is Suffering
For some homeowners, this is the biggest determining factor. If you’re no longer comfortable in your home during our hot, humid weather, what are you waiting for? If you’ve had your system maintained, and repaired, and it’s still not cooling your home to an acceptable level, it’s probably time for a replacement. A new, efficient AC system will vastly improve your home comfort. You[‘ll also enjoy lower utility bills and not have to worry about a system replacement for many years to come.
Contact Bayonet Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule AC repair in Spring Hill, FL today!
