It is during the summer season that many individuals know the usefulness of their air conditioner, both at the working place and at home. While you are enjoying this wonderful cooling technology, you should know that it can completely fail or suddenly stop working if you do not observe the early signs of trouble.

Ideally, all machines have a lifespan and before they get to that time, you will observe several signs that announce that there may be a need for a replacement. Most people ignore these signs and opt to repair a failed AC unit instead. In many cases, replacing the AC unit is the best option since AC repair can be expensive. However, a proper AC service can help the AC to achieve extended longevity.

One huge mistake you can make is choosing to manage your air conditioner through frequent repairs that you also feel are less expensive. But, replacing the AC helps you save money and reduces the stress of always having to fix it. Here are 5 signs that help you know it is time to say goodbye to your problematic air conditioner.

1. Your Air Conditioner Has Reached its Expiry Date

Like several machines with different life spans, an air-conditioning system has a lifespan of 10 years. Any air conditioner above this age will start developing frequent problems, demand expensive repairs, and cooling the home will be a struggle. Do not wait to see all the signs of failure before opting to get the air conditioner replaced.

The moment your AC unit approaches its 10 years longevity benchmark, start considering getting another one. It is usually cost-effective to get a new air conditioner as it helps in reducing your energy billing by 20 to 40 percent. Also, the new model usually comes with interesting features that were absent in the old one, which makes it even more efficient.

2. Your Energy Bills Have Increased

Machines used for heating and cooling the home are responsible for the increase in the cost of energy. Air conditioners are one of the topmost in this category, as up to 46 percent of the average home energy cost can come from this unit alone. This means, that homeowners who use the air conditioner from time to time, can spend above $100 every month. When your air conditioner becomes old, it becomes less effective, which means the heating and cooling costs will go up. However, you can spend less on energy billing if you replace your AC unit with a new mode, that has top-notch ratings.

3. Frequent and Expensive AC Repairs

The older your air conditioner, the more likely for it to break down. This normally requires expensive and frequent AC repair and AC service, yet, nothing seems to work perfectly no matter how many times you have it fixed. Also, the amount you pay for a repair can increase gradually, due to scarcity or an increase in the cost of AC parts. The AC repair technician can also charge you more for an increased hour of labor.

If you weigh the option of each repair of your air-conditioning system and realize you spend more or up to 20 or 30 percent of the amount you would need to replace it with a new one, then discard the AC unit as soon as possible and purchase more advanced technology.

Also, on every AC repair, aside from considering the total cost, carry out a special evaluation to find out if the air conditioner will work perfectly after repairing it or if you are simply going through a band-aid fix. If this is the case, you should immediately consider getting a replacement.

4. Your Air Conditioner is Not Cooling Your Home Perfectly

Once your air conditioner goes bad, you will notice that it takes a longer time to circulate coolness to your home, and it is struggling to keep up with the usual temperature as before. If you check the intermediate passages for blockage, check if the thermostat is in perfect condition, as well as the motor, and everything does not seem orderly, then you may conclude that your air conditioner has issues from the lower level.

Another issue can be due to wear and tear of the air conditioner. This normally leads to the AC unit failing to perform its cooling duty perfectly or generate warm air. Choosing the option of repair will lead to even more frequent repairs until you end up spending an exaggerated amount.

However, the best way to solve the problem is by hiring a professional AC unit technician, to carry out a thorough evaluation of your AC unit before recommending the appropriate approach to solve the problem. Your technician can either advise you to get an AC repair or get a new AC unit, depending on the result of the evaluation.

5. Uncommon Sounds in Your AC Unit

Whether it is a clanking, clicking, buzzing, or banging sound, your AC should never make these unusual noises. Once you start hearing these noises, it is a major sign of problems that can require you to get a new air conditioner. If it is a frequent clicking sound, it may be due to electrical issues. This may not be a serious sign and you can hire a licensed professional to get the problem fixed. However, if the sound is coming from the AC's motor, a replacement will be required.

If it is a banging noise, it may be due to loosened parts in the AC unit. This can be handled by repair if you hire a reliable technician. However, clanking sounds should be taken seriously. They usually indicate broken AC unit parts. Without getting an urgent AC repair, the problem can worsen, leading to a total breakdown that only a new replacement can fix.

Conclusion

Knowing the right time to get a new AC unit can be difficult since you may not know what is going on inside the air conditioner while it is still working. However, you can still see some of these signs if you pay attention.

If your air conditioner is above its date of expiration, requires frequent repair, breaks down from time to time, increases heating and cooling bills, performs with strange noises, and struggles to cool your home, it may be the right time to purchase a new AC unit.