It’s a sweltering July day. You’re ready to cool off inside after a long day in the hot summer sun. But when you enter the house, the air conditioner is blowing hot air – or no air at all.

It’s one of any homeowner’s nightmare scenarios. Don’t let it happen to you.

Fortunately, there are signs your air conditioner needs to be replaced. Be on the lookout for these warning signals so you don’t encounter the bad summer scene we just described.

Air Conditioning System Warning Signs

The thermostat isn’t working. If your air conditioning unit runs for short periods of time before shutting off, or if it won’t turn on at all, this could mean the thermostat is not determining correctly if the system is operating. Hire a trained HVAC specialist to examine this due to the complex electrical components that are involved.
Loud sounds. If you hear grinding, squealing, or scraping, that could mean a belt is moving out of place inside the unit or there’s a broken piece of equipment. Contact an HVAC expert ASAP to avoid potential costly damage to other parts.
Strange odors. A strong smell could mean anything from a burned-out wire inside the unit to mold somewhere inside of the system or the duct work. Your system’s conditioned air should never smell moldy, musty, or smoky. Don’t wait to diagnose unusual smells because this can cause anyone who lives in the home to get sick.
More frequent problems. If your AC unit has needed some sort of repair three or four times within a span of a few months, it might be time to replace, not repair.
Water or refrigerant leaks. Any moisture leaking near your AC unit is a problem. This could be a refrigerant leak. Contact a pro immediately if this happens because refrigerant can cause serious health issues if inhaled. However, in less serious cases, this moisture could simply be water from a broken or blocked tube that disposes of condensation. Contact an HVAC specialist either way.
Your unit is old. If your air conditioner is more than 15 years old, it might be time to go shopping for a new one. Air conditioners generally don’t last much longer than that.
It needs to run longer than normal to cool your home. This could also be part of the aging process, or it could be a symptom to another problem. Either way, hire a pro to properly diagnose and solve the issue.
Uneven cooling. This could mean your system isn’t as efficient as it used to be, and you should contact an HVAC technician to inspect it.
Your home is dustier than it used to be. If you’re dusting as often as you always have, but dust still appears more frequently, your air conditioner might be to blame. Since older systems aren’t as efficient as newer ones, they struggle to filter out dander, dust, and dirt. If AC replacement isn’t in the cards, consider a HEPA air filter, as they effectively trap dust particles and allergens.
Your unit uses R-22 Freon. As of Jan. 1, 2020, Freon production ceased in the U.S. If you own an AC unit that’s more than 10 years old, it probably uses R-22 Freon as its refrigerant. The EPA is phasing out its use due to its negative effects on the environment. If your air conditioner uses Freon, you can keep and use it, but if your AC system breaks down and needs a Freon refill for the repair, it won’t be available, so you’ll need to replace your unit with an option that doesn’t use R-22.

Contact Energy Savers for AC Replacement Services

AC system installation is an important decision, with long-term consequences to your air quality and comfort, not to mention your utility and air conditioning repair bills. It’s crucial you find the right contractor to design and install your new air conditioner.

If your AC is enduring any of the problems we mentioned above and needs frequent repairs, contact Energy Savers today for the best unit replacement and installation services.