A lot of folks have the same idea. Replace an air conditioner when it breaks down entirely. If you ask us, that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Obviously are not going to replace a newer air conditioner just because it needs an occasional repair. But would you plan on running your vehicle into the ground? Replacing it only when it leaves you stranded on the side of the road somewhere?
We’d hope not!
The same is true of your AC. You’re going to need an air conditioning replacement in Chesterfield, MO, eventually. When you do, you’re not going to want it to be an emergency. In today’s post, we’ll cover some of the benefits of replacing your AC ahead of time. We’ll also cover some of the reasons why you might consider a replacement to begin with.
When to Replace an Air Conditioning System
There is a lot to consider when it comes to replacing an air conditioner. We know that homeowners want to get the greatest return possible on the investments they make. That includes enjoying a long, productive lifespan from your AC. There comes a time when cutting one’s losses is really for the best, though. Is your air conditioner:
Getting On in Years?
Air conditioners, like all mechanical systems, have finite lifespans. A bit of research or referring to your system’s literature should give you an idea of that system’s projected lifespan. If you find your system getting up to the 10-12 year mark, then chances are that it’s a good candidate for replacement. Yes, even if it’s still running pretty reliably. The fact that your system is running does not mean that it’s running optimally. It probably is running on borrowed time by this point, though.
Cost More and More to Run?
There are 2 reasons an older system like the one described above may leave a lot to be desired in terms of efficiency. First of all, it may have been manufactured at a time when efficiency expectations weren’t as high as they are today. Even if it was highly rated for efficiency at the time of manufacture, years of wear and tear will cut into that. Can you run as fast as you used to for as long as you could in high school? For a lot of us, that’s a big no!
Fail to Cool Effectively?
“It’s still running. It cools well enough. No big deal.” Yes big deal! Don’t convince yourself that “good enough” is good enough when it comes to your comfort. An older system may struggle to cool a home as effectively as it once could. That’s a big issue. When you consider the fact that your system isn’t cooling your home to peak levels, it’s costing more to run, and it probably has limited time left, a full AC replacement really starts to make sense.
Explore Your Options!
One last bit of advice. Don’t stick to what you’ve always used just because it’s what you’re familiar with. From heat pumps to ductless mini splits and more advanced central AC units, there are a lot of options to consider.