Nothing lasts forever, or so the saying goes. And that is true of your air conditioner. Like almost everything else in your home, they have a useful life expectancy, meaning there will come a time when you need to thank your old air conditioner for its service and replace it with something new. The big question is how do you know when that time comes?
While the exact lifespan of an air conditioning unit varies according to model and manufacturer here are some of the biggest warning signs that it is probably time for yours to be retired.
You Avoid Looking at Your Electric Bill
The older they get, the less efficient air conditioners become. That pushes your electric bill higher, sometimes by a considerable amount. Parts wear out, it becomes harder and harder to clean their insides completely, even for a professional.
In addition, the older the model the less energy efficient it is likely to be in the first place. As technology continues to make big strides new A/C units are simply more energy efficient than their older counterparts. So, if you are looking for a way to tame a monstrous energy bill, a new air conditioner may be the answer.
Your Home Just Does Not Feel As Cool As It Should
The older an air conditioner gets, the harder it has to work. This often translates into a home that simply does not feel as cool as the temperature on your thermostat says it should. Or some rooms feel too hot while others are too cold.
While these may be caused by other problems, such as drafty windows, they are often caused by an overworked air conditioning unit.
You Feel Sticky – And So Does Your Home
One of your air conditioner’s ‘jobs’ is to regulate the humidity in your home as well as the temperature. Older air conditioners often struggle to do that and the result is that sticky feeling that can be so very comfortable.
High humidity levels are not just a problem for you though. A humid home is one that is more likely to attract mold and mildew – as these are things that LOVE humid conditions –
and that can become a very expensive problem to fix.
You Are Calling for Help Too Often
Knowing that you have a company like Arctic Air Heating and Cooling on your side if something goes wrong with your air conditioner at the height of summer is great. Having to call on us too often, not so much.
You can often prevent many air conditioning related problems by having your system cleaned and maintained every spring, but even the best-maintained units will eventually start to experience problems.
If you find that your air conditioner always breaks down on the hottest days of the summer, it’s time to start looking for a new one.
Need some advice about whether the air conditioner in your home is still up to the job? Call us at Arctic Air Heating & Cooling in Kansas City, we’ll be happy to discuss your situation and help you determine the best course of action.