It’s Not You, It’s Me — When to Say Goodbye to Your A/C Unit

You’ve shared some wonderful summers together; lately, though, your old acquaintance seems to blow hot and cold when you want to chill out. It’s been a good run, but it’s time to say goodbye to your A/C unit.

Good maintenance and sensible use can extend the life of your air conditioning unit by years. Even the best-kept A/C has a finite lifespan, however, and sometimes it’s just not cost-effective to keep repairing A/C equipment. If you’re trying to cool several rooms with portable A/Cs or window units, it’s time to upgrade to a more adequate system. An A/C system over 10 years old should definitely be replaced with more efficient new equipment. The following signs are also good indication that your A/C needs expert attention and may need to be replaced.

• Your home is never cool enough. Declining performance in a well-maintained unit could signify that your A/C may be nearing the end of its useful life. If the unit has always underperformed, it may have been improperly selected or installed.
• Repeated breakdowns. If a unit fails persistently, it may be time for a replacement.
• Noisy operation. If your A/C is making an unusual amount of noise, you should investigate promptly. Rattling and clanging sounds may be due to a loose nut or a fragment of debris, but can also signify an impending breakdown.
• Excessive cooling costs. Rising energy bills are often a sign that your A/C isn’t operating efficiently. If remedies such as changing the air filter and checking for leaks don’t help, an upgrade may be in order. A certified HVAC contractor can give you a decisive answer on whether it’s better to repair your equipment — or to say goodbye to your A/C unit and switch it for a newer model.

At Sobieski Services, Inc., our goal is to help our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey learn more about energy and home comfort issues – especially HVAC and plumbing issues – so that they can save money and live in healthier, more comfortable homes.

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