Do You Need A New Air Conditioner?

An air conditioner doesn't see much use during the winter months. This makes it easy to overlook poor performance until the next summer season rolls around. It's important that you take the time to evaluate the way your air conditioner performed at the end of each cooling season.

Identifying key performance issues will allow you to invest in the installation of a new air conditioner. Opting to have a new unit installed during the winter can significantly reduce costs.

When thinking about your air conditioner, ask yourself if the following issues were a problem over the summer. If they were, it's time for a new AC unit.

Poor Airflow

Airflow can be used as a measure of the condition of your AC unit. The temperature and force with which air blows through your home's vents should remain fairly constant. If you notice that there is a sudden drop in the pressure of the air being delivered throughout your home, this is an indication that your air conditioner could be in disrepair.

Poor airflow can be caused by damaged air ducts or a faulty blower motor. Have a technician give your cooling system a thorough inspection, then invest in a new AC unit if your airflow problems can be attributed to mechanical damage.

Short-Cycling

You should always pay attention to how often your AC unit turns on and off during the day. Any changes in the frequency of your AC unit's cycles could indicate a serious problem. The most common change is short-cycling. This occurs when the AC unit turns on and off more than it should.

A cooling system can sustain abnormal wear as a result of the increased workload short-cycling creates. If your AC unit was short-cycling through the summer, you will experience a significant savings on energy costs by replacing the unit and having a new one installed.

Reduced Cooling

The primary purpose of an AC unit is to keep your home cool on hot days. If your home was noticeably warmer than it should have been over the past summer, then it might be time for a new AC unit.

Older units can develop refrigerant leaks that prevent the air being circulated throughout a home from cooling properly. A refrigerant leak can pose a serious health risk as well, since contact with liquid refrigerant could lead to respiratory or skin irritation. Changes in cooling should be taken seriously and addressed with the installation of a new AC unit at your place of residence.

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