It’s often a big decision with many facets when trying to find the right time to replace your heating and cooling system. In most cases, you will see that investing in a newer, more energy-efficient system will actually save you money in the long run. With a new system, you can expect not to have unexpected repair bills or higher utility bills. Here are a few signs that your HVAC system might be ready for a replacement!
HVAC Unit is over 10 Years Old
If your HVAC unit is over ten years old, then it most likely uses freon (or R-22) coolant. Mostly due to its harm to the environment, the manufacturing of R-22 has actually been retired. While there are options to change the coolant chemical to a safer one, you should definitely still weigh the costs of this repair in addition to others that will probably come with an aging system. If your HVAC unit is ten years or older, it might be time for a replacement.
Blowing Warm Air or Not Blowing Cool Air
As temperatures have started heating up, homeowners have started turning on their air conditioners. The sole purpose of your HVAC unit is to keep your home comfortable and if you run your air conditioner, but only find that warm air is blowing out, then you know you have a problem. Additionally, if your HVAC system isn’t blowing cool air, it might have an issue with the compressor or with the refrigerant. Depending on the age of your HVAC system, the refrigerant may be more costly than investing in a new cost-efficient system, especially if your system uses the R-22 coolant.
Weak Air Flow
If your system has turned on and you’ve noticed that the airflow from the AC vents are barely pushing out cool air, then your system probably has a problem. This issue could range anywhere from something small like a clogged air filter to something larger like a broken motor, blower fan, or something even more serious. Basically, if your HVAC is not working at its best, you could expect your energy bills to get more expensive as well. A cooling system that is running harder than it should be will be more taxing on the unit, costing more in the overexerted utility bills.
Loud or Strange Noises
While it is normal for a HVAC unit to make some low noises as it starts up and shuts down, if you are hearing some uncommon noises, then something is wrong with your unit. Call us at Thermacon today so we can send an expert technician to diagnose your system to determine the extent of the repair required.
Strange Smells
If you have started noticing strange smells coming from your heating and cooling unit, this could signify a greater problem with your HVAC system. Musty smells from your air conditioner vents could be an indicator of mold or mildew growing within the ventilation ductwork. With this issue, a professional duct cleaning could remove the microbial that are causing this smell. If your unit produces worse smells, like burning metal or plastic, then these are signs of a serious HVAC malfunction. If this is the case, it could signify burned out wire installation or motor, so turn your AC off immediately and call a professional to evaluate the issue.
If you are constantly spending money repairing an old HVAC unit, then it might be a smart idea to invest in a newer and more energy efficient system for your home. If you think it’s time for a replacement, contact us today to evaluate your old system and guide you through finding the best unit for you!
