Your HVAC unit is a huge investment and its crucial to your comfort as the temperature gets hot. Considering how much money your air conditioner costs, you want to maximize the lifetime of your unit, and maximize your investment.
Where You Live Plays A Role
The lifespan of your AC unit can be determined by where you live. In Florida, the humidity and heat mean that your air conditioning has to work harder and longer than in colder climates. Because your unit has to work that much harder, it wears down faster and is more likely to break down.
Regular Maintenance Is Key
Regular maintenance can help prolong the life of your HVAC unit. At Stellar, when you schedule maintenance we:
- We clean the unit both inside and out
- Inspect Your Air Ducts
- Replace the Air Filter
- Inspect and Tighten All Electrical Parts
- Inspect and Test All Moving Parts
- Evaluate the Efficiency of Your Unit
- Test Your Air Conditioning
Have an HVAC professional inspect your air conditioning once or twice a year to ensure that your AC unit runs at optimal levels for as long as possible.
Signs That You’re Unit is Slowing Down
Even if you take really good care of your air conditioner, all AC units have a shelf life and can begin to slow down. Know the signs, so that you’re prepared to take on the cost of eventually replacing it.
Age
Most AC units last between 10-15 years (it can be up to 20 in colder climates). If your air conditioner is getting older, start preparing for a replacement (even if the unit hasn’t started slowing down). The financial strain of buying a new AC unit isn’t as bad if you’ve prepared financially.
Humidity
Your HVAC unit is designed to remove humidity from your home. If your home feels muggy even though your air conditioner is running, it could be a sign that your AC unit isn’t running like it should.
Jump in Costs
If your energy bill continues to increase, it could be because of your aging AC unit. Higher energy bills mean that your air conditioner has to work harder to keep your house cool. As efficiency begins to fail, you are wasting both money and energy.
Replacing Your Unit Could Save You Money
Modern AC units are becoming increasingly efficient. The money that your older air conditioner is costing you in energy could go toward a more efficient, modern unit.
AC efficiency is most commonly measured by Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER). The higher your SEER rating, the more efficient your air conditioner is in cooling off your home. As an AC unit ages, it loses increments off its SEER rating (each increment lost could mean a 9% drop in efficiency), meaning that it becomes increasingly expensive to cool off your home.
If you’re worried about your AC unit and are thinking about replacing it, request a free estimate and find out what it might cost. To prolong the life of your unit, schedule maintenance and keep your air conditioner running at maximum efficiency!
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