Signs that Your Air Conditioner is Failing
With summer heat, your first instinct is probably to close up the windows and crank up the A/C to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. That dependable unit will just roar to life, filling your home with wonderfully cool air — until it doesn’t. Nothing spoils summer like an air conditioner that suddenly fails, but how could you know the breakdown was coming?
It’s Just Not Cool Anymore
If your air conditioner runs longer and longer on days with similar temperatures, or it seems like it never quite hits your thermostat’s set point, then it could be time for a change. Schedule a maintenance appointment with a qualified HVAC technician to rule out common A/C issues such as refrigerant leaks or buildup on the coils, but be prepared for the news that it’s time to replace the whole system.
Repairs Are Getting More Frequent
In general, an air conditioner shouldn’t require major repairs very often. As long as you keep up on regular maintenance and size it properly for your home, the A/C should work pretty smoothly throughout its lifespan. When you catch yourself calling for repairs that keep getting closer together, it could be a sign that the wear is getting too excessive for the unit to handle.
It’s Piling on the Years
Some things get better with age, but air conditioners just aren’t one of them. In fact, older A/C units only have a lifespan of about 10 years, with mounting efficiency issues and general wear-and-tear as the years go by. Even if that older unit still seems to be plugging away, it could fail without warning and should probably be replaced. The good news is that modern air conditioners have much better efficiency ratings and longer life spans than their older counterparts, reducing their impact on the environment and costing less to run.
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.
