HVAC Replacement: Telltale Signs It’s Time to Replace Your HVAC Unit

When your HVAC system breaks down, you have the choice to either repair or replace it. How many times has this happened to you? It’s time for your spring air conditioning maintenance check. You’ve been doing a fantastic job remembering to change your filter regularly as well as staying on top of all required AC maintenance checks, yet your AC still breaks down in the middle of the summer. This happens to most people when their air conditioners are getting up there in age. There comes a point when ac unit repair or ac compressor replacement isn’t cutting it anymore and it may be time to consider air conditioning replacement. So how do you know when you have hit the point of complete AC replacement? Knowing when to either repair or replace your AC system can be a financial balancing act between taking money to fix what you already have, or investing in a completely new, more efficient, system. Your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old. The U. S Department of energy recommends you automatically replace your HVAC unit every 10-15 years. Consider replacing it with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR label. Installed correctly, these high-efficiency units can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs. To estimate your potential savings, look for the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) number on your current AC unit. If it is 10 or below, definitely consider replacement. The SEER rating is the number of BTUs of cooling energy per watt-hour of electricity. Prior to 2006, air conditioners were required to have a minimum SEER rating of 10. Today, central air conditioners must have a minimum SEER rating of 13, and Energy Star-labeled air conditioners must be rated at least 14. The most efficient models have SEER ratings up to 26. Your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are going up.Your cooling or heating equipment my have become less efficient. Some rooms in your home are too hot or too cold. Improper equipment operation, duct problems or inadequate insulation could be the cause. No one is home for long periods of the day and you do not have a programmable thermostat. Install a programmable thermostat or have a good contractor install one and instruct you on its use — to start saving energy and money while they’re away or sleeping. Your home has humidity problems. Poor equipment operation, inadequate equipment, and leaky duct work can cause the air to be too dry in the winter or too humid in the summer. Your home has excessive dust. Leaky ducts can pull particles and air from attics, crawl spaces and basements and distribute them throughout your house. Sealing your ducts may be a solution. Your heating or cooling system is noisy. You could have an undersized duct system or a problem with the indoor coil of your cooling equipment. Your score on your electric bill is considered low. That means your energy use at home is above average and you’re probably paying more than you need to on energy bills. Replacing an air conditioner can be a daunting expense, but it can improve comfort and significantly lower energy bills, making the cost worthwhile. If are you still on the fence about getting air conditioner replacement or new central air conditioning installation, consider how much time it would take before a new air conditioner pays for itself when it comes to energy and repair cost savings? Then contact Spencer Air Conditioning and Heating at (972) 446-COOL (2665).