Summertime in Scottsdale, AZ, is no time to be without air conditioning. If your air conditioning unit is not working as well as you would like, you may wonder if it’s worth repairing the unit or if it’s time to replace it entirely. The following are some tips you should keep in mind while deciding.
How Frequently Does Your System Stop Working?
An air conditioning unit between 10 and 15 years old will usually start to have noticeable issues. If you are calling a technician to come and repair your unit every summer, chances are you’re spending more money repairing your unit than you would invest in a new unit. However, if your unit is under 10 years old and has only given you a few problems, you might want to consider having it repaired while you save money to eventually purchase a new unit.
How Old Is Your Air Conditioner?
The Department of Energy considers the average lifespan of an AC unit to be between 15 and 20 years. This is an average age based on the lifespan of air conditioning units in different parts of the United States. At this age range must take into consideration that not all parts of the country are reliant on air conditioning as much as others. For example, in Scottsdale or Phoenix, people will use their air conditioning for as long as seven months each year. In Minneapolis or Milwaukee, people will only use their air conditioning for between four and five months out of the year.
An air conditioner that runs all year round will have a drastically shorter lifespan than one that is only used for a couple of months out of the year.
If your air conditioner is giving you problems and you are near the end of its lifecycle, investing money in repairing it may be wasteful. As soon as you fix one thing, another system will fail. In these circumstances, it may be best to contact AC by J and talk to us about the options for replacing your AC unit.
Even if your AC unit hasn’t started to fall apart, after 10–12 years of continued use, it’s likely not functioning as well or as efficiently as it should. In these instances, it may be better to be proactive and replace your unit so you don’t find yourself with an AC unit that doesn’t work during the summer when you need it to work the most.
A Noticeable Increase in Energy Bills
You most likely want your air conditioner to keep your home comfortable even when outside temperatures are uncomfortable, even knowing that air conditioners consume energy each month. The amount you pay monthly for utility bills is drastically influenced by how effectively your air conditioning unit is working. If your AC unit is not functioning correctly, you’ll pay a lot more for energy each month.
Conversely, the better your AC unit functions, the lower your electrical bill. If you see that your energy bill is constantly increasing, but your air conditioning use has stayed consistent, your AC unit will likely need to work harder to create the same output it did before.
Unexplained higher utility bills could indicate that your air conditioning unit is on its last leg. Or, it could indicate that a minor issue is affecting your unit and you need to call AC by J technicians to repair it.
According to estimates by the DOE, if you replace an older and inefficient model with a modern energy-efficient AC unit, you could reduce your electric bill by up to 40 % each month. Those savings alone might make having your unit replaced a worthwhile investment.
Things Don’t Smell So Good
Are you noticing unpleasant aromas coming from your air conditioning unit? Does it seem like your house is always full of dust, even though you’ve thoroughly cleaned it? This could indicate that it is time to have your AC unit repaired.
Most air conditioning units force cold air through the ductwork in your home. The air comes out of the vents and then circulates in the house.
Your air ducts should be leakproof. However, with time, even the best-sealed duct will fail. Dust will enter the duct and then be blown around the home. If your ductwork leaks, your AC unit must work harder to keep your home cool. Inspecting the ductwork could save you money on energy usage, improve overall air quality, and protect people living with asthma and those with respiratory issues from breathing in unfiltered, dust-filled air.
As air conditioners get older, they start to produce unpleasant smells. These smells could indicate that the unit needs to be cleaned. However, if you smell a chemical odor, turn your team off immediately and contact AC by J for repairs. It could indicate an electrical issue that could be potentially damaging to your home.
Your House Does Not Maintain a Constant Temperature
When it is working properly, your AC unit should keep your home at a consistent temperature. Some factors could impede its ability to work as it should, including the improper placement of vents. However, there should not be drastic temperature swings in your home.
There shouldn’t be pockets of your home that are extremely cold and other pockets that are extremely hot. If your home does not heat evenly, or if it doesn’t stay at a consistent temperature, this could be a sign that your AC unit is struggling to keep up with the cooling demands of your home.
When a unit struggles to function, you will find yourself running back and forth to the thermostat, adjusting the temperature. This could be an issue with leaky ductwork. It could be an issue with something affecting the central cooling coils. Or, it could indicate that the AC unit you have installed is either too big or too small for your home. Either way, it’s good for you to have the experienced technicians at AC by J visit your home. We can evaluate your AC system, check your ductwork, and help you determine if now is the right time to repair or replace your AC unit.
Have Your Air Conditioning Needs Changed?
Air conditioning units are built to cool particular square footage of space. If you remodeled your home, making it drastically larger or smaller, you might be affecting how well your AC unit works. Something as simple as taking an unused portion of your home and making it a livable space can put a strain on your old system, causing it to work inefficiently and expensively. In these cases, replacing your system will be your best bet.
Work With The Valley’s Top Plumbing Heating And Air Conditioning Specialist
At AC by J, we are proud to be among the top air conditioning specialists in Scottsdale and the wider Metro Phoenix area. Our goal is to help you stay comfortable in your home year-round. As a locally owned and operated cooling, heating, and plumbing company, we know what it takes to keep Arizona homes comfortable.
We are the name to call if you need heating, air-conditioning, plumbing, or refrigeration services. Our technicians are experts in IAQ testing, ventilation, home energy audits, and zoning systems.
With decades of experience behind us, AC by J stands ready to help you feel comfortable in your home. Contact us today to learn more!
