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Your air conditioner can feel like a lifeline during the muggy North Carolina summers. It’s the only thing standing between your comfort and hot, sleepless nights. Temperatures can reach an ultra-hot 90+ degrees in the summertime, which can be dangerous to pets, small children, and the elderly. What do you do if your AC isn’t working properly?
Read on to learn about the top five signs you need to replace your air conditioner and how the QRC team can help with ongoing maintenance, repairs, or choosing a brand new unit to cool your home.
Air Conditioner Age: The Clock is Ticking
One of the first signs to replace an AC is an aging system. If your window air conditioner is over five years old or your central AC is over fifteen years old. These machines are designed to work at their peak within these timeframes, but once they reach a certain AC age, their effectiveness drops off, especially if they haven’t been regularly maintained. If your AC is old, consider purchasing a new model before it gives out completely.
AC Not Cooling: The Most Obvious Sign
An AC blowing warm air is an obvious sign of when to replace your air conditioner. The purpose of an air conditioner is to cool down your house, so if your AC’s not cooling the room, it’s either time for serious repairs or a full replacement.
Strange Noises and Leaks: Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs
If your AC is making strange noises or leaking water, it might be time to consider replacing it. These warning signs often indicate bigger issues, like broken pieces, broken fan motors, refrigerant leaks, or faulty components. In some cases, repairs may be more costly than replacement, making it a better financial decision to remove the failing unit sooner rather than later.
AC Running Constantly: A Sign of Overwork
If your AC’s running constantly, it could be a sign that you’ve got an undersized unit struggling to keep up with demand. This usually means your house won’t ever cool down sufficiently, which may cause humid spots, high energy bills, and more wear and tear on the machine. Upgrading to a larger machine gives you whole-home cooling capability while saving energy (and money) in the long run.
Frequent Repairs and High Energy Bills: Time for a Change
There comes a time when the money you’re spending on repairs and higher-than-necessary energy bills outweighs the convenience of sticking with your older model AC. Upgrading to a newer, more efficient Energy-Star-rated AC is a cost-effective option. As a bonus, you’ll get greater peace of mind knowing you can rely on your new air conditioner to do its job without worrying about the next repair bill.
Call QRC Today
If you’ve recognized some common AC replacement signs in your HVAC system, contact QRC to speak to an expert about your options, such as ductless mini-split cooling systems and central air units.
We’re available to North Carolina residents living in our service area, which spans Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point, Lexington, Oak Ridge, Thomasville, King, Jamestown, Advance, and many other NC cities. We’ll help you choose and install your new AC unit so your family can stay cool no matter what it’s like outside. Contact us today by phone, or schedule your service using our handy online calendar feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my air conditioner needs to be replaced?
Some of the most obvious signs that it’s time to replace your air conditioner are strange noises like banging or squealing or if it no longer cools your home the way it used to. It may also be time for an upgrade if your unit is over 15 years old, running constantly, or leaking water.
What are the telltale signs that my AC is beyond repair?
If your air conditioner is old, blowing warm air, has weak airflow, or sounds or smells strange, it’s likely time to replace it. Have your AC unit checked if it continuously short-cycles (turns on and off continuously) or causes your energy bill to skyrocket every summer.
How long should an air conditioner typically last?
On average, most window units last five to ten years, while HVAC system air conditioners last between 10 and 20 years. This number varies by how much maintenance work is done to reduce wear and tear. Proper inspections, lubrication, adjustments, and calibrations can exponentially increase lifespan.
Is it more cost-effective to repair or replace my AC unit?
It depends on the issues you’re having with the air conditioner. Sometimes, all it takes is a filter change or a cleaning to get the unit working as good as new, but you may be better off replacing an older air conditioner with bigger issues. If you’re unsure, call QRC to schedule an air conditioner inspection.
What are the benefits of replacing my old air conditioner?
Benefits of replacing an old air conditioner include more reliable whole-home cooling, lower energy bills, convenient programmable temperature settings, and better compatibility with smart-home features.
How often should I have my AC unit serviced to prolong its lifespan?
It’s best to have your air conditioner serviced at least once a year in the spring to prepare it for heavy summer use. At QRC, we have helpful maintenance plans to ensure your air conditioner is in tip-top shape when needed.