All air conditioners (A/Cs) need to be replaced at some point, but some will need it sooner rather than later. It takes time to research your options and pick one, which makes planning important. Learn to recognize the following signs that it’s time to replace your A/C:
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Getting old. Most problems come from aged units either due to wear and tear, inefficient technology or poor performance. Even if you’ve maintained your A/C well over the years, don’t expect to get more than 12 to 15 years out of it if used regularly. Being this old and showing signs of worsening performance means it’s time to replace your A/C.
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Too many breakdowns. When something breaks unexpectedly, it’s not only expensive to fix but also inconvenient. Often you are without air conditioning when you need it the most. If you start having frequent problems every summer, it may not be worth the hassle to keep repairing it. Also take into consideration the 50 percent rule, which is a good rule of thumb that says to replace your unit if the repair cost exceeds 50 percent of a replacement.
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Obvious signs of problems. Most big issues with your HVAC system don’t happen overnight, but instead are caused by other small problems that grow over time. Indications of problems like rust and damage can alert you to potential problems. If you suspect there might be something bigger about to break, call a professional to see if you should fix or replace it.
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Worsening efficiency. An old A/C not only has older, less efficient technology, but also will decrease in efficiency over time. Combine these two factors and you get a high energy bill that costs you every month. Do some quick math and determine if your rising energy bills cost you enough that a new A/C would be justified. Many times your new system may pay for itself after a few years have passed.
Not sure if it’s time to replace your A/C in your Los Angeles home? Call the professionals at and schedule an appointment today.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Los Angeles, North Hollywood and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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