7 Signs It’s Time to Break Up With Your AC
💔 This Valentine’s Day, it’s time for some tough love about your aging AC.
1. No longer comfortable in the relationship?
Becoming too comfortable in a relationship can be a problem, but not when it comes to your relationship with your air conditioner. Your home is supposed to be your haven from the outside. For years, your HVAC system helped make it one while asking for very little in return (just the occasional tune-up).
But now, your good times together are becoming less and less frequent – or perhaps they’re a distant memory altogether. You keep on investing more in the system hoping that it will change its ways, but it’s no use. It continues to give less while asking for more (in the form of utility and repair costs) in return.
Sound familiar? It’s time to call it quits.
2. Is it too old for you?
Unfortunately, the adage “age is just a number” does not apply to air conditioners. Have you noticed that, in its old age, your system has started to have trouble keeping up with you and the Austin heat? Is it working harder and costing you more but providing you with the same (or, likely, less) comfort than it did in its younger years?
According to Energy Star, replacing a unit that is more than 10 years old with one that is more efficient can save a homeowner as much as 20% on heating and cooling costs — and we think that’s conservative.
3. Are you tired of picking up the tab?
Your air conditioner is never going to take you to dinner and a movie, but an old, inefficient system can leave less room in your budget to do those things.
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), air conditioning accounts for about 27% of total residential electricity consumption in our region. Nationally, the EIA reports that air conditioning and heating combined account for more than half of home energy use, on average.
With an old, inefficient system, you’re paying significantly more than you need to. So, if you’re tired of footing the bill for your air conditioner’s inefficiency and breakdowns, it’s time to consider cutting your losses.
4. Are you sick of being stood up?
One of the keys to the success of any relationship is the other party showing up in your times of need. For hotter or colder, your system is supposed to be there for you (let’s be honest—in Austin, it’s mostly hotter).
If you come home on 90-100 degree days and your old system isn’t there for you, it’s time to think about moving on.
5. Do you have communication problems?
Poor communication is the leading cause of breakups. If you can’t easily communicate with your old system, it’s time to consider an upgrade.
Today’s smart thermostats are designed to understand and meet your needs in a way that older ones simply can’t. Brands like Ecobee and Honeywell offer app-based remote control, energy-use insights, and features that help automate comfort and efficiency.
High-end communicating systems, such as Carrier’s Infinity system, provide many of the same benefits through fully integrated, manufacturer-designed controls.
There’s a financial upside to smart thermostats, too: According to Energy Star, they can reduce cooling costs by upward of 8% annually.
6. Are you tired of being in a hot & cold relationship?
Is there constant fighting in your house between hot and cold? If the temperatures in your home are uneven from room to room or floor to floor, your system may be unbalanced, and your ducts are likely to blame.
Your ductwork’s job is to deliver the right amount of conditioned air to the right place at the right time. Unfortunately, many duct systems are poorly designed, damaged or restricted, which prevents air from flowing where it’s needed most. Repairing or replacing your ductwork can drastically increase comfort and decrease the amount of energy your HVAC system uses overall.
7. Are you seeing someone else…for repairs?
Everyone should know and have a good AC repair company, but ideally, you only see your AC technician a couple of times a year for routine maintenance. If the visits start to become more frequent and more costly, it’s time to start considering replacement.
Ready for a Fresh Start?
If you’ve recognized your AC in any of these scenarios, it might be time to move on. At Efficient AC, Electric & Plumbing, we’ve been helping Austin homeowners find better matches since 1976.
Whether you need a new AC installation or just want an honest assessment of your current system, we’re here to help.