Wondering If You Should Replace Your Air Conditioner Telltale Signs You Should Replace Over Repair

You'll know it's time to replace your central air conditioner if it fails all at once in the midst of a summer heat wave. That's an easy call. But suppose it's slipping away gradually, one malfunction at a time? How do you know when you're approaching the tipping point where an upgrade to a new, higher-efficiency unit is a matter of good timing? Better to jump the gun than wait too late, when you'll have to decide on a replacement without time to research new models or comparison shop. Here are a few warning signs that the time to replace your air conditioner is drawing near:

If your unit is more than 10 years old, consider it already on borrowed time. A 12-year-old unit has major components at the end of their expected service life. Also, that unit incorporates 12-year-old technology. Its lower SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating means it's using more electricity than a new unit. Essentially, you're wasting money every time it starts up.  

Increasing -- and increasingly expensive -- service calls don't paint a bright future for your existing air conditioner, either. One major breakdown is often only the beginning in an old system with components of the same age. It may be time to draw the line on pouring more money into a losing cause just to coax it through another summer.

Less effective cooling and an overall downturn in your home's comfort level are indicative of performance decline that can't be remedied by replacing individual system components. A clammy feeling from too much humidity in the air also often accompanies this loss of effectiveness.

If your air conditioner uses R22 refrigerant, it's already an endangered species. Scheduled to be phased-out soon for environmental reasons, R22 is now in short supply and shortages and astronomical prices loom. R410A refrigerant, its replacement, is utilized in all new air conditioners.

Jones-Rogers is here to help you replace your air conditioner at just the right time. If you live anywhere in Northern Virginia, call us now for more advice.