If your air conditioner is leaking or breaks down when you least expected it, you might want to call an HVAC professional to inspect it. Know more about HVAC in this link here. They know where to look, and they can do repairs or advise you if it’s time to replace your unit.
Every person wants to be comfortable and cool inside her home even if it’s the middle of summer in California. But this might not be possible when your AC is not working properly.
Signs that You Need to Repair Your AC
- Hot Air Is Coming from It
Your AC’s role is to blow cool air inside your home. It’s another thing when you receive hot air and the interior of your home is warmer than outside. This can be a sign that your compressor is broken, or the refrigerant is leaking. The two problems can easily be repaired by a qualified technician. It’s better to address them as soon as possible before they get worse.
- There’s Moisture Near Your AC
You might see leaks and moisture developing around your unit when you switch it on. This might be minor issues that can be repaired by removing a block from the drain tube. Although moisture is not a cause for immediate concern, fixing it asap will prevent the growth of mold. Sometimes, the moisture can be a sign that there’s a serious leak on the refrigerant.
- Uncommon Sounds
If you choose a quiet AC unit, it should run with a soft hum. The sounds from the running motor are normal but the grating, grinding, and other uncommon sounds are not. An expert in the HVAC system can pinpoint the problem in seconds and can fix the sounds before it’s too late. You can visit sites such as air conditioning repair Orange County if the uncommon sounds might mean emergency repairs.
- Abnormal Smells
If you notice that there’s a pungent smell that was not present before, it can be a sign of a problem. You should be more alert especially if the smell is similar to that is burning. It can indicate that the unit is overheating or some of its parts are on fire. There are also musty smells that mean mold is developing inside or around your AC.
- High Level of Humidity
One of the most important jobs that your AC can do for your home is to remove humidity inside your house. If you notice that there’s water around your glass windows, or you feel sticky whenever you are in your room, you might want to check your air conditioner.
Should You Do Repairs or Replace?
Figuring out whether it’s time to replace or repair your AC can be a difficult decision. However, if you have experts that can give you a second opinion, then things can be easier for you. You might not want to spend thousands of dollars for a new unit only to find out in the end that your current one still has plenty of life in it. On the flip side, you might hang on to your old AC, but you will find out that it will do more harm than good. So, how do you know if you are making the right decision?
Determine your Air Conditioner’s Age
The age is one of the most important factors that you should investigate. Some experts can require the simple formula of taking the repair cost is multiplying it with the age of the unit. For units that exceed more than $5,000, forget about the repair and get a new unit. For example, you have a 9-year old unit with a repair cost of $300. That means that the product is $2,700. If this is the case, you can consider the calling a technician to repair your unit.
Check the Energy Efficiency
The energy efficiency or EE determines whether you will save electricity or not in the long run. Most of the homeowners know that they might need to upgrade their air conditioning units to keep up with the trends. The latest is the AC unit that you have, the more energy you will save. There are newer technologies and current trends that save more energy in the long run.
Other Factors that may Affect Your Decision
Aside from age and energy efficiency, you also need to consider the frequency of the repairs and the amount of your electrical bill in Orange County. You might consider saving about 20% of your energy bills for a few years if you buy a new unit. Some technicians say that if it’s not broken, then don’t fix your unit. As long as you don’t see leaks, your AC is blowing out cool air, and your energy bills don’t go higher each month, then there’s no reason for replacement.
