You’re sitting at home enjoying a quiet evening when a groaning noise from your AC cuts through the silence. You may want to call someone out for an air conditioner replacement because that sound isn’t normal.
There might be a small possibility that you don’t have to get your unit replaced but it’s better to be safe than sorry. You don’t want it to go out of commission in the spring and summer when the hot weather hits.
How do you know if your unit needs to be repaired or replaced? We’re about to tell you. Keep reading for a list of signs.
1. When to Repair
Sometimes you don’t have to replace the entire unit. You can get by having someone come in to repair it. It’s only when these repairs get to be too frequent that you have a problem.
Some situations where a repair could be in order are if the unit is less than ten years old, the ductwork needs to be checked, or if you need to perform regular maintenance.
It’s Less Than Ten Years Old
Think back to the age of your AC unit. If it’s less than 10 years old then whatever’s wrong with it is most likely a minor fix at best.
Chances are, it’s going to be a lot cheaper to repair the problem than it will be to have the entire unit replaced.
Check the Ductwork
When was the last time that you got your ductwork checked? If it was a while ago, then it could be leaking.
Instead of replacing the unit, have a professional come in to look at the ductwork. If they’re any gaps in it then they’ll fix them and be on their way after you pay them a small fee.
Perform Regular Maintenance
The best way to stop your unit from needing repairs is to keep up with regular maintenance. If you haven’t been then this could be your issue.
Clean any built-up dirt and dust off your unit. This should get it working again. If it doesn’t, then it may need a small tune-up.
2. When It’s Time to Replace
If your unit starts causing problems and it’s above a certain age, you might not be able to avoid having it replaced. Old age isn’t the only sign that your air conditioner has reached the end of its life though.
You’re Not Getting Cold Air at All
Not getting cold air isn’t fun for anyone involved. Especially if it’s the middle of the summer. There could be a wide array of reasons why it’s not getting cold.
Call in a professional to figure out the extent of the issue. If the repairs are going to be expensive it may be better for you to start over with a new unit.
Low Air Flow
You’re getting cold air but the problem is that your unit isn’t pushing out enough of it. This could mean that there’s something wrong with your vents or perhaps your compressor is acting up.
Either way, depending on how old the unit is and the extent of the repairs, fixing the problem could take a huge chunk out of your wallet.
Moisture and Leaks
During your unit’s life, you’re bound to see some kind of condensation on it. A little bit of moisture isn’t a problem. A full out leak is though.
If you notice that there’s water pooled around your unit you need to call someone in ASAP. The water could do a lot of damage to your floors and cause mold.
If it’s leaking coolant then that’s another problem entirely. Coolant can lead to health issues for you and your family. Get the unit replaced.
Weird Sounds
So, you’re trying to enjoy your evening when your AC unit starts to make a rattling noise. If your hunch is “that’s not right,” you would be correct. It’s not.
Turn off the unit ASAP and call someone out to work on it. The longer you leave it on, the worse the issue is going to get. Sometimes the only course of action to replace it anyway.
The Thermostat Isn’t Working
There’s a small chance that you’ll need to get your thermostat replaced rather than the entire unit. Which is great for you because it’s cheaper.
The biggest indicator that the issue is the thermostat is if all but one of your rooms feel fine. If only one room isn’t getting cool air, have a professional come look at the thermostat.
You’ve Had It for Over 15 Years
Like any of your other appliances, your AC unit has an expiration date. That expiration date falls in-between 10-15 years after it’s been installed.
If your unit has reached this mark or gone over it, there will be no number of repairs that can fix it permanently.
You Have to Get It Repaired Too Often
Things happen and parts break. A repair every now and again doesn’t mean it’s time to throw in the towel. If you have to get it repaired more than one time a month, however, that’s a different story.
Repairs aren’t cheap. If you start to feel the expense weighing too heavily on your wallet, go ahead and have the unit replaced.
Air Conditioner Replacement or Repair? Which Do You Need
Is your air conditioning unit starting to make strange noises? Has it stopped blowing cool air? It might be time to either talk to someone about an air conditioner replacement or get it repaired. Your choice all depends on which signs that it’s showing.
It’s not too late to have your unit fixed before the hot weather starts getting too bad. Go here to read about our repair services.