If you’ve ever had to battle the Louisiana sun, you know how tough it can be on your AC unit when the sun decides to throw it all at your home. Even going a few seconds without your AC running can turn your home into a furnace. Suffice to say, trying to survive without your AC for days and weeks isn’t the best idea, so you want to be proactive in addressing the signs that point to your AC needing repair.
While some of these signs might be less obvious than others, keeping them in the back of your head can be the difference between a quick AC repair or replacement and a week-long adventure to get your AC back running to full strength.
Your AC Unit Is Old
Is your AC unit getting up there in years? As we all know, when age creeps up, we start to slow down — and that applies to your AC system as well! AC units can last up to 20 years in the best conditions but begin to wear out around 10-15 years in tough climates like Louisiana.
Not to mention, older units are likely behind the times technologically, and you’re probably missing out on improvements in energy efficiency. Getting a newer air conditioner might not be on your mind, but consider being proactive in preventing breakdowns and enjoying the levels of energy efficiency your older unit can’t possibly match up with.
Bad Smells Coming From Your AC
If you think your kids hid a dirty pair of socks in your air conditioning unit, it’s a good sign that your AC unit might be nearing the end of its lifespan. When your AC is working properly, you should have neutral-smelling air coming from the unit and be getting great air quality. Foul smells signify that you might have mold or mildew buildup in your system, and a burning or smoke smell indicates it might be time to replace your air conditioner.
Skyrocketing Energy Bills
Check your energy bills and note any payments that have increased exponentially. Your HVAC system shouldn’t have you doling out a ton of your check every month. While there are days when your unit will be pushing a lot more energy than others — and after ten years, you’ll probably be paying more than you will for a newer unit — you shouldn’t be paying exorbitant prices.
Poor Airflow Around the Home
Are different rooms in your home suffering from the curious case of large temperature differences? Different temperatures around your home mean your unit is not processing enough air to reach every room in your home. This is a huge sign that you need a replacement, especially if it lines up with a 15-year-old air conditioner or unusual sounds coming from the unit. Check your filters and make sure there isn’t a blockage and that the vents are all open. If there is no immediate problem, you might need to consider a replacement in the near future.
Repair Bills Piling Up
One occasional repair is fine, but if you constantly have HVAC experts tending to your unit, it might be time to save money with a replacement that takes care of all your problems. Frequent repairs only patch over major problems, and we all know that putting a Band-Aid over a broken bone won’t help the issue. Contact your local air conditioning expert to learn more about the details of an AC unit replacement for your home.
Use of R-22 Refrigerant
As part of the crackdown on environmentally-unfriendly products, r-22 refrigerant was phased out of usage in air conditioning units. Because it was such a recent change, many units still have r-22 refrigerant in them, which isn’t widely available anymore. If your unit ever needs a repair or has a refrigerant leak, you might not have another option but to replace your unit. If you aren’t sure which refrigerant your unit uses, a qualified HVAC professional can assess your system and determine the best steps for you to take.
Replace Your AC Unit With Qualified Professionals
All it takes is one call to Reggie Broussard’s Air Conditioning and Heating, and you’ll have a new unit installed in a matter of days that helps you handle all that Louisiana summers throw at you. Replace your AC unit with our expert AC services, and you won’t have to worry about bad smells and poor airflow for years to come.