No appliance in your home will last forever, even if you keep it in good condition and well maintained. We have created a list of 8 signs that may suggest you need a new air conditioner.
The hot and cold air blowing out of the unit is not consistent with the temperature settings
This is easy to notice. For example, if your refrigerant levels are low, your air conditioner may begin filtering out warm air instead of cold air. There is also a possibility that there is a leak if this occurs as your refrigerant is supposed to take heat from the room and cool it down.
It can also be a warning sign for future troubles if your air conditioner has inconsistent temperatures. If your home feels stuffy in one area and cold in another, you may have issues with your compressor. Often it can be cheaper to replace the air conditioner at the first sign of this fault rather than repair the damage later on.
There is a leak or excessive moisture
While a little bit of moisture or condensation is no cause for worrying, significant changes in condensation, moisture spots in your home, or new leaking can be a sign that you need to seek out a professional quickly.
This issue is significant for two reasons: it is incredibly dangerous for electrical components to be working around water or it could be a refrigerant leak. A refrigerant leak is serious due to its harsh chemical makeup – for this reason, it is important that only a trained professional deal with any issues involving the gas. An expert will ensure that all concerns are dealt with and all health and safety risks are minimised.
By hiring a professional, you will be given advice as to whether your issue is repairable or if it is best for you to completely replace the air conditioning system to save you some money and energy in the long run.
A reduction in airflow
Have you noticed that, despite setting your thermostat to a cool, comfortable temperature, your room is staying warm? This decrease in airflow may be an unfortunate indicator that your air conditioner’s compressor is faulty.
It is possible that the airflow is merely obstructed, but often is it cheaper and simpler to invest in a completely new unit.
The unit turns itself off a lot
While it is normal for an air conditioner to turn itself off when the desired temperature has been reached in a space, a very common sign of trouble is an air conditioner that will turn off and on frequently to maintain the set temperature.
This is stressful on your air conditioner that will cause it to completely stop working overtime. It is best to call an expert as soon as you notice your system performing differently than it has in the past to determine whether it can be repaired or whether it is safer to replace the unit with a new air conditioning system.
Unfamiliar smells and sounds
Air conditioners, when operating successfully, should be relatively silent. While it may make a few noises now and then, or you may be able to hear the breeze as it filters out, it is important you take note of any unfamiliar sounds that arise so you can take action and ensure your system is running perfectly.
Sounds that could be serious include:
- Hissing – this is an indicator of too much internal pressure and can be incredibly dangerous
- Clanking – this may indicate a loose component within the unit
- Buzzing – this may suggest that the fan motor or relay switch is faulty or that there are detached wires inside the unit
In addition to unfamiliar sounds, it’s important to look out for weird smells. It is a serious concern if your system begins emitting smells that are abnormal as this may suggest damaged insulation, dirt, or mould within the ductwork.
If there is mould and mildew in your ductwork, this can significantly impact the health of those within the building as it can spread polluted air.
Frequent repairs
Increased cost
It is worth seeing if there is something that could repair it, but often it will be more cost-effective in the long run to purchase a new system.
10+ years of use
In Australia, the energy efficiency standards (2012) recommend that you purchase a new air conditioner before it starts to die on its own. An older unit can begin to be damaging to the environment as it increases your energy costs, making it easier to replace your unit.