Air Conditioning

These could be signs that your AC is on the verge of breaking down, but there may be other reasons why it may not be working as it should. If your air conditioner isn’t turning on, the circuit might have gotten tripped or a fuse could have blown. Turn the circuit off and on again to find out if this is the case, but you could also try turning on the fan to see if the blower is getting any power. There could also be a problem with the thermostat or some other issue. And if the fan doesn’t come on, you might have a problem with the blower.

You can also check the thermostat settings, because someone could have inadvertently moved it off the “cool” or “auto” position. Or the temperature settings could have been changed. It’s possible that the battery might have gone out, so you can try putting new ones in to see if it solves the problem. And there’s even a chance that the thermostat could have gone bad. For air conditioners to operate efficiently, the condensation drain needs to work properly. And if it’s clogged, your unit can start to malfunction. Remove the panel that covers the condensation coils. And if they look dirty or blocked, the AC unit won’t work as well as it should.

When should I replace my air conditioner?

Even with regular maintenance, an air conditioner unit can only last for so long before it needs to be replaced. But how do you know if you need to get a new AC? If you feel uncertain about the answer to this question, Air Solutions of Corpus Christi can determine if your unit is operating as it should. And there are a number of deciding factors. Here are some of the signs that you need an AC replacement:

• Your energy bills are higher than normal.

• Your air conditioner doesn’t cool every single room.

• More dust is accumulating in your home (even if the filters have been changed).

• The repair costs for your AC unit are getting too high.

• Your system is 6-10 years old, or even older.

These could be signs that your AC is about to go out for good because at a certain point, the cost of repairing it can be higher than what you would pay for a new unit. You may need to upgrade to a more efficient model if your energy bills are getting too high. And while it may be hard to part ways with an appliance that has been with you for years, they can eventually catch up to them.

Determining the Need for an AC Replacement

If your unit is too old, it may not have the efficiency rating by today’s standards. And while you will have to pay for a new unit, it can save you on repair costs that can add up quick. Not only will a new unit be more energy efficient, but it can also save you a lot more in the long run.

A simple way to determine if your AC needs to be replaced is to multiply the age of the unit by the cost to repair it. And if it’s more than $5,000, then you need to replace it. The average lifespan of an AC unit is 10-15 years, but it can depend on how much maintenance it’s had throughout its life. As a rule, less maintenance means a shorter lifespan.

The cost of replacement parts can sometimes get so high that it’s not worth paying for. If you need to replace a compressor in an outside unit that’s at least 15 years old, you should consider replacing the entire unit. But there are other factors aside from its age that can be a determining factor for an AC replacement. Look at your average repair costs, as well as your energy bills. And if you see both of them increasing, you'll most likely need a new unit.