You never want to have to deal with buying a new AC system, but it will happen eventually. The question is are you going to deal with it as an emergency or are you going to plan it? Most air conditioning systems are designed to last from 10 to 15 years when properly maintained.
If you are nearing this service life for your system, you may want to begin planning on when to replace it. This is especially important right now as systems that were installed prior to January 1, 2010. These run on a refrigerant that is no longer available. That means it is extremely expensive to continue to maintain these units due to the ban on the production of the refrigerant. (continue below)
Why Choose DOC Heating & Cooling?
Why The Fall Is A Great Time To Buy a New Air Conditioner
While you may not need a new ac system for several months, the fall can actually be a great time for this work. Here are three great reasons why.
#1: Time To Research Your Options
The last thing you want to do is wait for the weather in Clarksville to get hot, and have your air conditioner is not working. When this does happen, you end to rush, which means not evaluating your options. It also means you may tend toward a cheap option because it was not a planned upgrade. Fall provides that time to research and to ensure you have the funds available for the best option for your home.
#2: Easier to Schedule Installation
The spring and summer are busy times for air conditioning installations. If you wait until one of these seasons you are likely going to end up waiting for several weeks at a minimum. When you purchase a new system in the fall, you are likely to get it installed at your leisure.
#3: Reduce Your Repair Costs
When you wait to replace an aging air conditioning system, you end up spending a lot more on repair costs. As mentioned above, a new ac system installed before 2010 are even more expensive to repair due to the limited quantity of R22 refrigerant. In fact, some of these repairs will cost more than a newer system just for the refrigerant. Planning to replace your system in the fall cuts out any additional repairs to make it through the following summer.
How To Extend the Life of Your AC System
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to extend the life of your unit. This could be the difference between the full-service life and a premature replacement.
Clean Your Air Filters Regularly
First and foremost, be sure to change your air filters regularly. You should check them about every 30 days, even if you have extended life filters. As soon as they appear dirty, you want to replace them. You can also vacuum them out to help extend their life. When you clean the filters, be sure to clean the area around them as well.
Clean Your Unit & Clear Debris
Most people do not think about cleaning their air conditioners as they think about cleaning their car. It is important to clean your unit annually. The easiest way to clean the unit is to just wash it off with a hose. You do not need any cleaning chemicals or scrub it. Doing so can actually damage the unit if you do not know what you are doing. You also want to clear any debris around your unit to ensure it continues to have proper airflow.
Cover It Up
When you are done running your air conditioner for the season, put a cover over it and secure it. This will minimize the impact of the extra moisture that comes during the fall. Snow sitting directly on your unit over the winter can be especially hard on it. A cover will not keep it from the temperature changes, but that is part of the unit design.
Schedule a Maintenance Visit
Regular maintenance is probably one of the best things you can do beyond changing your filters to extend your AC’s life. During one of these visits a technician will look for signs of wear, and early signs of component failure. He or she will also clean components like the evaporator coil, condenser coils, and circulating fan. Finally, they will check the refrigerant level to make sure there is enough to make the system run optimally. Maintenance visits help prevent premature wear on your system.
Kill the Power
When you are done using your system for the season, not only should you cover your unit for the winter, but you should also kill the power. This is easily done with from outside the house with the power control mounted near your air conditioning unit. You can easily find videos online to walk through how to turn the power off.
Change Your Thermostat Settings
The last piece is to adjust your thermostat throughout the season. As the weather gets warmer or colder, you shuld adjust your thermostat accordingly. At some point, there is an actual temperature that will keep you comfortable. However, keeping your temperature within about 15 degrees difference from the daily high in Clarksville will help you save money and reduce wear on your system.
Call an Experienced Professional if Your System is Malfunctioning
Do you have an extremely old system? Are you seeing or hearing things that weren’t there before? If you suspect that the system is not working properly, you should call a professional as soon as possible.
A few signs that the system is in trouble include abnormal noises or smells, an extremely cold home, expensive bills, and frequent shutoffs. Regardless of the concern, an experienced professional can solve the problem and perform the necessary repairs before an emergency occurs.
Prevention and AC Tune-up costs are much more reasonable than having a costly repair later. Whether you live in Clarksville, TN or somewhere close by, the professionals at DOC Heating and Cooling are ready to help. The highly-trained technicians are available 24/7 for emergency calls and for regular maintenance to help keep your heating & cooling system running smoothly.
Schedule an Appointment Today!
Whether you live in Clarksville, TN or somewhere close by we are ready to help. Our highly trained technicians are available 24/7 to keep your heating & cooling system running smoothly.
