3 Signs that Your AC Unit Needs to Be Replaced

In the hot, swampy months of summer, your air conditioning unit is your lifeline. It’s no wonder that we’re blindsided when it betrays us by requiring repair after repair. Some repair needs are to be expected with any appliance, but at what point do you say “enough is enough” and replace it?

At Bill Bradley Services, we keep your home cool and comfortable with timely and reasonably priced repairs. Call us at 334-252-8368 if you need help now.

1. You Are Repairing Your AC Unit Way Too Often

If you’re on a first-name basis with your air conditioning technician and they know what your kid is working on in math, you may be trying to save an air conditioning unit that is beyond repair. Ideally, you’ll work with an ethical repair shop that is willing to tell you when it’s time to retire your old unit and invest in a new one, rather than a shop that’s happy to keep taking your money when they know your unit is done.

You might use the longevity of your air conditioning unit as a starting point when deciding whether it’s time to repair or replace it. A new high-efficiency air conditioning system can be expected to last at least 15 years, if not more. As your unit gets up there in age, consult an air conditioning unit professional to figure out when replacement is the better option for you.

2. Your Home is Consistently Warm or Unevenly Cooled

There’s nothing more disappointing than turning on your air conditioning unit, waiting for the cold to hit you, and nothing changing. This is to be expected on some of those extra hot days, as no air conditioner is going to work as productively at 105 degrees as it does at 80 degrees. However, if your air conditioner is regularly leaving your home feeling warm and humid, it may warrant a replacement.

The same is true if your home is unevenly cooled on a regular basis. If certain rooms are frigid and intolerable but others feel like they aren’t even a little bit cool, the system may be at the end of its usefulness. If you’ve sought repairs for this problem in the past but it keeps coming back, it may be time to stop sinking money into repairs and use it for a new system completely.

3. Unpleasant Sounds and Smells Are Coming from the Unit

In some cases, a dysfunctional air conditioner can only be identified by the fact that your home is not cool. While it’s making the right sounds and seems to be working its hardest, it just isn’t working. In others, you can immediately tell that something isn’t quite right. 

If the sounds made by your air conditioning unit have become increasingly loud and obnoxious, it may be working harder while still being less efficient. Not only is this noisy, but it also leaves your home too warm and can send your electricity bills through the roof. A repair may help on a newer air conditioner unit, but it may just be a temporary delay if your unit is old. 

What about unusual smells coming from your air conditioning unit? This could be a huge range of problems, many of which do require a replacement over a repair. Drip pan mold, never-before-cleaned filters wrecked by a buildup of dirt, and leaks in the refrigerant line are just a few of the possibilities. 

In addition to making your home smell unwelcoming and foul, these issues can also be very dangerous. If a repair is only temporarily successful, a full replacement could be the better option for you.

Air conditioning units are complex, and the decision to repair or replace them can be a tough one. Scheduling regular inspections of your unit and building a relationship with a local repair company can help you get the most out of your air conditioning unit.

Get the Help You Need with Bill Bradley Services

Not sure what to do with your temperamental air conditioning unit? Turn to the team at Bill Bradley Services. Give us a call at 334-262-8368 or fill out our contact form to schedule a service appointment.