Most central air conditioners last 10 to 15 years, and if your unit is older, it may be time to consider replacing it. It's not a good idea to set the thermostat to 72 degrees when it's 100 degrees outside in summer, as the air conditioner will normally operate constantly and some units may freeze the evaporator. To avoid this, adjust the thermostat as high as you can tolerate in summer, at least set it to 75 degrees or higher during the hottest part of the day. Setting it at 78 degrees is optimal during 100 degree days in summer.
Do not allow vegetation to enter your outdoor condensing unit. For good airflow, you'll need to leave at least 2 feet of free space on all sides of the condenser. Trim or remove any plants, shrubs, or grass that grows too close to the condensing unit. If your air conditioning unit is at least ten years old, you should be thankful that it lasted so long and start looking for a new unit.
It's important to recognize the signs that indicate it's time for an HVAC replacement. Here are 10 signs that you should look out for:
- Your air conditioner is more than 10 years old
- You have to set your thermostat lower than 75 degrees in summer
- Your air conditioner runs constantly
- Your air conditioner freezes up
- You have vegetation growing too close to your outdoor condensing unit
- Your energy bills are increasing
- Your home has poor air quality
- Your air conditioner is not cooling your home properly
- Your air conditioner has frequent breakdowns
- Your air conditioner uses R-22 refrigerant
If your unit is approaching this age, it's time to begin the replacement process. Newer air conditioning units are more energy efficient and can solve many of the problems that have arisen due to the age of the unit. For example, an aging air conditioning unit can contribute to poor air quality in your home, as well as to irregular cooling and frequent breakdowns. Continuing to pay for expensive repairs to a unit that is approaching double digits is often a bad investment compared to installing a new unit. Newer air conditioning units are exceptionally energy efficient, especially those with high seasonal energy efficiency ratings (SEER).
Many utility companies and government agencies offer tax credits and rebates that serve as incentives for homeowners to switch to more energy efficient air conditioners. Replacing your old air conditioner with an energy efficient one is a great way to save on your energy bills while helping the environment. Before investing in a new HVAC unit, you may want to check your home and your HVAC unit for costly air leaks. Sealing leaks and insulating your home properly will help your HVAC system work more efficiently, so you may not need a replacement yet.
An air leak could be what's causing the problem with your HVAC system, and it's probably less expensive than replacing it. When you need to replace your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, you can trust Sears Home Services to take care of the problem.
