Houston is famous for its humidity, with frequent triple-digit summer temperatures putting extreme demands on your home’s air conditioner. As the days warm up, it’s important your home’s AC is ready to deal with summer’s excess heat and humidity.
If your air conditioning unit is older or hasn’t been regularly maintained, you might need to replace it.
Here are six common signs to look for.
Signs Your Central Air Conditioner Needs To Be Replaced
When it comes to your home’s comfort, few systems are more critical than the AC. Though you can have many issues repaired, you’ll know it’s time for a replacement if one or more of these problems appears.
1. Your Air Conditioner Is Old
Most central AC units last up to 15 years. If yours is older than that, consider replacing it. Air conditioner technology has improved dramatically over the past decade, and newer units are much more energy-efficient. That means they can keep your home comfortable with less energy, resulting in real cost savings.
2. Frequent Service Calls
Has it gotten to the point where you’re calling a technician a little too often? Are the repair bills getting higher each time? If so, investing in a new air conditioner instead of shelling out money for repairs will save you money in the long term.
3. Uneven Cooling
Do different rooms in the house feel hotter or cooler than others? It could be a sign your AC isn’t as efficient as it once was. If the system is blowing warm air, it could be a broken compressor or a host of other potential malfunctions. Airflow issues might be due to problems with the unit’s compressor or the ducts.
4. You Hear Strange Sounds
Is your air conditioner noisier than usual? Odd sounds like grinding, squealing, or squeaking are never normal, even for older units. If your cooling system’s making strange sounds, it’s probably time to upgrade to new equipment.
5. Higher Utility Bills
Over half of the average homeowner’s energy costs are for cooling. If your energy bills are higher than usual during AC season, it could be due to your system’s inefficiency. Air conditioners are generally reliable, but after a certain number of years, they just don’t work as well as they used to.
A home energy audit or assessment is a great way to verify if you have a problem with leaky doors and windows, inadequate insulation, or an issue with your HVAC system.
6. Your Unit Uses R-22 Refrigerant
Air conditioners use refrigerant to cool the air inside your home. AC units manufactured before January 1, 2010, use R-22 refrigerant, also known as Freon, which has been banned along with other greenhouse gases.
Newer air conditioners must use a more environmentally friendly refrigerant to comply with the EPA’s amended Clear Air Act. If you’re unsure what type of refrigerant your air conditioner uses, a qualified AC service provider can help.
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Expert Air Conditioner Replacement Services
If you’re ready to invest in a new AC system for your Houston-area home, the experts at Horizon Air Solutions will show you how easy it is to replace your existing unit and start enjoying a more efficient system.
