Summer is progressing right along. Sure, we’re all looking forward to fall temperatures, but you know as well as we do that you’re going to need your air conditioner for a bit longer. We’re pretty reliant on these systems, especially this year!
So if yours is showing any signs of trouble, you may be wondering what’s going on, and what to do about it. Repair often seems like the obvious choice, but sooner or later you’ll have to replace/upgrade your system. Read on as we explain…
When is a repair in order?
- When repair needs are infrequent.
- When symptoms don’t coincide with a severe drop in efficiency.
- When your air conditioner is less than 10 years old.
When might you need to consider a replacement?
- When you need AC repairs a few times a year.
- When you find yourself paying far more than you used to month-to-month.
- When your air conditioner is 10-15+ years old.
Let Us Elaborate…
What do we mean by “infrequent” repairs, first of all? Well, it’s only natural for an air conditioner to need some repairs every now and then. After all, just like any other major appliance or piece of electrical equipment, it’s going to suffer from natural wear and tear.
For example, the lubrication on your motor bearings wears out over time, requiring relubricating. This isn’t an alarming problem nor anywhere close to an emergency.
But as an air conditioner ages, it accumulates more and more repair needs. If you find yourself calling for repairs every few months for a system that’s 10+ years old, it’s time to start exploring your cooling system options!
You may also notice a drop in efficiency. It may not be obvious right away. But what happens is, when an older system is in disrepair it starts working less effectively, draining more and more power in order to do its job.
This eventually reflects on your energy bills. Take a look at yours! Have you noticed that they’re a lot higher than they were this same time last year? If you don’t track your bills, ask your neighbors who have similar systems what they’re paying if you can. If your bills are dramatically higher, it’s a sign that something is causing the system to work inefficiently, and in an older system, this almost always means it’s time to make an upgrade!
Explore Your AC Options!
Have you always used a traditional central air conditioner? That’s great! This is definitely one of the options you should explore for your AC replacement. But it’s not the only option available to you.
There are variable speed, inverter drive air conditioners, for instance. They work more efficiently than the traditional central air conditioners. A heat pump both cools and heats the home and is perfect for climates like ours. Or you could take it up a notch and invest in a ductless heat pump.
We’re happy to explain each of these options and help you make an educated decision about what will be best for your home. Give our team a call!
Contact Sunset Air for reliable AC repair in Tacoma, WA, or to discuss your air conditioning options, today!
