A lot of people along the Front Range put their air conditioners to the test during the mid-July heatwave. Denver broke heat records three days in a row, and many other cities set new records for one or two of those days. Some AC units performed admirably, but a lot of other people found themselves asking, “Am I due for air conditioning replacement?”
Air conditioning units can last a long time: quality AC units are likely to last 10-20 years if properly maintained. That’s a wide window, and it’s also possible that some air conditioners will fall outside it in special circumstances. Be on the lookout for signs that your air conditioner is failing, and take steps to extend its lifespan, including air conditioning maintenance.
Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs Replacement
Although air conditioning units can sometimes fail without warning, most of the time, there are signs that your air conditioning unit is nearing the end of its life. Here are some of the most important ones to watch for.
Energy Costs Keep Increasing
As air conditioners wear out, they lose efficiency. Although regular maintenance can minimize this efficiency loss, over time the wear and tear on the unit builds up and it doesn’t work as well as it did. This causes it to run more often and work harder when it’s running, which can dramatically increase the amount of energy it uses. If your energy bills are consistently higher this year than last year, even when the temperature isn’t, it’s time to consider air conditioning replacement.
Your Air Conditioner Breaks Down More Frequently
With a new unit, air conditioning maintenance is routine. Have a professional come out once a year, then do a few simple things yourself a few more times over the summer, and your machine works consistently day after day. When an air conditioner nears the end of its life, it begins to break down. Parts wear out and need to be replaced. Eventually, it becomes more cost-effective to replace a unit than keep maintaining it.
Your Air Conditioner Can’t Keep Your Home Cool
If your AC is appropriately sized for your home, it should be able to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. If it’s always been able to do this in the past, but can’t now, it may be time for air conditioning replacement. Extreme heat days might be rare but take them as a warning sign if your AC unit can’t keep cool.
Your Air Conditioner Makes Strange Noises or Smells
Strange noises are a warning sign that not all is as it should be in the air conditioning unit. Noise is wasted energy, and a sign that there may be friction or obstruction of moving parts. Smells likely mean that fluids are leaking onto hot parts of the unit.
Factors That Influence the Life of an AC Unit
With such a wide range of the lifespan for an air conditioner, it’s important to understand the factors that contribute to a unit’s lifespan.
Installation
Proper installation helps your air conditioner work more efficiently. A unit that is appropriately sized for your home won’t have to work too hard to keep the space cool. Units that are too small will have to work hard to maintain the temperature in your home. It’s not as bad to have a unit that’s too large, but if it’s much too large, it might do a lot of short-cycling—turning on then turning off quickly—which is also not good for the unit.
Use
The wear and tear on your air conditioner depends on how much you use it. To some extent, this is determined by the weather—you’ll use it more when it’s hotter outside. However, you can reduce some of the strain on your air conditioner. Set your thermostat a little higher—it should never be colder than you set your thermostat in the winter. In addition, using a smart thermostat to have your air conditioning unit set to a higher temperature when you’re not home can reduce unnecessary demand on your air conditioner, and may get you a discount from Xcel.
Maintenance
Regular air conditioning maintenance can significantly extend the life of the unit. Changing air filters every month or so can reduce stress on the blower, and having the fins cleaned professionally every year can increase the efficiency of the unit, reducing wear and tear. To make sure you are getting a full life from your air conditioning unit, get professional air conditioning maintenance every year, and follow your technician’s advice for maintenance between visits.
Do You Need Air Conditioning Replacement in Denver?
If you are considering air conditioning replacement in Denver or anywhere along the Front Range, contact Major Heating and Air Conditioning today. Since 1970, we’ve helped homeowners and businesses in Denver to maintain a comfortable environment year-round. We’ve stayed in business by providing only the best service to our customers, as you can tell from our A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Our technicians are thoroughly certified, and we offer 24-hour emergency service. Plus, we can give you a free estimate on new equipment.
We offer multiple options if you are considering changing the way you cool your home or office, including ductless air conditioning and geothermal systems.
To learn more about air conditioning replacement in Denver, please call us or use our online contact form today.