AC Replacement: Is It Time for a New AC?
Only polar bears and penguins wish for perpetual winter. We have been looking forward to warmer weather, being outdoors more, at the beach or pool, and grilling out more. However, it does get hot in Southeast Texas, so we all look forward to the relief that air conditioners provide. With the arrival of Spring, the cooling season is upon us.
If your air conditioner is showing its age, perhaps you have wondered whether this should be the year for an AC replacement. How do air conditioners show their age?
– Their actual age. All mechanical systems have a useful life. You probably have a good idea of how long your vehicle or lawn mower will last before it needs to be replaced. The same criteria apply to air conditioning systems. The average useful life of an air conditioner ranges between 15 and 20 years. Systems that receive regular maintenance tend to last longer than those that are not maintained. The maintenance advantage is about 5 years.
– Old systems have a hard time keeping up with extreme temperatures. A week or two of 100-degree temps may leave your family uncomfortable and a little sweaty, as the air conditioner can neither cool nor remove adequate humidity from the indoor air.
There may be some realized advantages for an AC replacement during the early spring. Determine your AC’s age and then determine whether these indicators are present with your air conditioner system.
Three Benefits of Summertime AC Replacement Upgrades
1 Eliminating Low Efficiency. An older system has components that exhibit wear and tear. Maintenance often catches these problems while they are small, but general wear forces the system to work harder to maintain the comfort setting on the thermostat. When it works harder, it uses more energy and this increases the cost of keeping your home comfortable.
Another efficiency indicator is the number and cost of repairs. Small repairs can be expected during the useful life, but when repairs:
– Require replacement of the same part year after year
– Repair cost get high enough to rival replacement cost
– It may indicate replacement is a better option than further repairs.
2 Comfort. The overall strength of the air conditioner system is determined by extreme temperatures. If the system struggles during heat waves, the stress can be enough to trigger a catastrophic failure. That failure is likely to be on the hottest day of the year and it may be weeks before the right components and the installation crew are available. Timing is everything. The option to schedule replacement is much more convenient than waiting for a couple of weeks for replacement without relief from the heat.
3 Indoor Air Quality. Air conditioners perform additional functions beyond making the home cooler. They remove humidity and circulate the air to keep it clean and healthy. Without air conditioning, expect surfaces to get sticky and moist; this applies to walls, flooring, furniture, and skin. This moisture promotes the growth of mold and other pathogens. These can trigger allergies, asthma, and breathing difficulties. The air filter also constantly collects airborne particles during every cooling cycle. This important function keeps your family healthy; without them, homes can become smelly, uncomfortable, and unhealthy.
Don’t Sweat It: Call Doctor Cool for Your AC Replacement
As air conditioners age, they become less efficient, struggle in extreme heat, and can compromise indoor air quality. Replacing an older AC system can improve comfort, lower energy costs, and prevent inconvenient breakdowns during peak summer temperatures. An AC replacement ensures a cooler, healthier home.
As an award-winning, BBB-accredited AC Replacement League City and HVAC installation contractor serving the League City and surrounding area, we pride ourselves in providing exceptional service to our customers. Call Doctor Cool & Professor Heat today at 281-338-8751 or email Doctor Cool.