When Is the Best Time for a New AC Installation?

You schedule maintenance to keep the air conditioner in your Hillsborough, NC, home running as long as possible. The longer you can keep your air conditioner operating, the cheaper the system is in terms of yearly cost. But the time will come when you need to replace it with something new. The following are some of the optimal times when investing in a new AC installation makes the most long-term financial sense:

Your Air Conditioner Has Gotten Old

If you’re someone who tries to keep a frugal lifestyle and tight budget, you probably make sure your air conditioner runs as long as it can so you can avoid the expense of a new AC installation for as long as possible. In fact, you likely use a home warranty to get help with repair costs. However, AC systems that are more than a decade old have fewer years ahead of them than behind them in most cases.

The Airflow Has Limits

If you turn on your home air conditioner and don’t get cold air after a few moments, =something is likely amiss. An air conditioner not blowing any cold air or not offering enough output might be something you can have repaired by a service tech, but it might also indicate a system on its last legs. If you find yourself scheduling repairs on a regular basis, you need to start considering whether a new AC installation would be a better budget move than continuing to pour money into an older and failing system.

Energy Bills Are Going Up

When you track every dollar in your life, you notice when your energy bills go up. That isn’t unusual in the summer, but high bills in the spring might surprise you, especially if they’re higher than last spring. Weather patterns might account for that for a little while, but it’s also possible that your home cooling system is working harder than ever to get its work done.

Excess Humidity Is Present

One crucial function of your air conditioning is getting humidity out of your home. Increased age, loss of efficiency and evaporator coil issues can all mean your AC system can’t pull humidity out quite as much as it used to. You’ll notice the air getting more clammy inside your home.

You Smell Something Foul

Strange smells can indicate issues with your home’s cooling system. The air coming out shouldn’t only feel cool and dry but should also smell clean and neutral when it comes out of vents. If you notice burning or smokey smells, you probably have a serious issue going on that needs prompt attention.

There Are Leaks

If your AC system has moisture in or around it, you have an issue that you need to deal with. It might be a refrigerant leak, but it could also be condensation or water from a blocked or broken tube. You might even notice ice developing inside the unit on refrigerant lines outside of the condenser, but all these are times to consult a service tech for diagnosis and options to repair or replace your system.

You Hear Strange Noises

If the AC system is running louder, you need to listen and identify the sounds as being chattering, squeaking or grinding more than normal. An optimal AC system should operate so quietly that you barely notice it. If your current home cooling system is making its operation and presence loudly known, then you might be due for an equipment upgrade.

Replacing an older or failing AC system can be a single big expense, but avoiding it might just postpone the financial pain. Newer AC systems are worthy investments because your utility bills should be lower than what your older air conditioner generates each month. Contact us at Warren-Hay Mechanical to see how service techs can handle your air conditioning installation needs and maintenance requests.

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