6 Signs You Should Replace Your Residential HVAC Unit

It’s a known fact that during the stifling summer months, your air conditioning system is most useful. However, it can get damaged from wear and tear, continued use, and aging. Because of this, you may have had it fixed numerous times and pondered purchasing a new one.

Keep in mind that while maintaining your unit may be costly, continuing to use it despite the damage may end up costing you more in the long run. So, if you’re still unsure whether to replace your residential HVAC unit, here are the signs you should watch out for:

1. Your Air Conditioning System Is Blowing Warm Air

The point of getting an air conditioner is to regulate the temperature within your home. It helps to keep you and your family comfortable, especially during the hot season. What good would your AC be during those periods if all it does is blow hot air? This is an obvious sign that you need to replace your AC with one that will perform its function effectively. You could call an expert to see if there is a fault with a component and replace any damaged part.

2. Your Air Conditioning System Is 10 Years Old or More

It is recommended that HVAC systems should be replaced after about ten to fifteen years. This has nothing to do with whether it’s still functioning or not. Here is the reason. If you have an HVAC system older than ten years, it is highly likely to use R-22 (freon) coolant. However, the production process of R-22 has been stopped worldwide because of its harmful environmental effects. Hence, it is unavailable for use for your HVAC.

It is not totally a roadblock because you have the option of changing the coolant to a safer one. But this would cost you a lot, and you will be using coolant other than what is originally manufactured for the HVAC. Therefore, it is best advised that you totally replace your HVAC system with a recent one.

3. Your Air Conditioner Gives Poor Or Weak Air Output

If you notice that your AC is working like it is reducing its air output, then something must be wrong. Sometimes, issues such as a clogged air filter could reduce the airflow from your AC return vents. Other complicated issues that could cause this include a broken blower fan or motor. The effect of this problem is that your energy bills keep increasing, and at the same time, you don’t even enjoy the optimum function of the AC. At the end of the month, you would realize that your bills would be better off if you completely replaced your HVAC system.

4. Your HVAC System Makes Noise

Most HVAC systems have a normal hum that is not too loud. You could even go a whole day without noticing the sound coming from your AC. However, you would know that it needs replacement when you start hearing noises coming from your air conditioner that could interrupt your peace and quiet. This is a sign that there is a problem springing up. Several problems could lead to this. For example, a hissing sound may indicate a leak somewhere, and clanking sounds could indicate that loose parts are rubbing together. There could also be problems with the indoor coil. Whatever the cause, you may need to replace your home’s HVAC unit soon.

5. Your AC Thermostat is Not Functioning

Air conditioner maintenance being performed

Your AC will not be able to function optimally if its thermostat isn’t working. The thermostat helps the AC to know how much cold air it should release. When you notice that it runs for a few hours and then shutdowns down itself without coming on, your AC probably has a thermostat issue. This problem can be fixed. However, there are lots of complex electrical components involved. If this problem happens too constantly, then you might need to totally replace it.

6. You Are Spending Too Much On Repair

You probably have a budget for every expense in your home. If you notice that your AC is taking a great percentage of your repair budget, then you need to look into what the problem could be and what is the lasting solution. Suppose you notice that the amount you spend on repairing your HVAC system outweighs the cost of getting a new one. In that case, you should consider totally finding a new replacement. HVAC systems require constant maintenance and periodic repairs quite alright. But when this becomes incessant, it could signal you need to replace your HVAC unit.

Conclusion

HVAC systems are necessary for every home for comfortable living. You should call a trained expert to help look into faults when they develop. However, faults shouldn’t be too frequent as they could indicate that there is a major issue with your HVAC unit. Hopefully, the signs above can help you determine whether you need to replace your home’s HVAC unit.