7 Signs it's Time to Upgrade Your A.C. Unit

Nothing beats relaxing in your home as the AC runs. Summer temperatures can easily hit 80 degrees Fahrenheit and climb even higher. Though some homes still rely on winter units, others have HVAC systems that include an AC and heater. A faulty AC will have a rough time keeping your home cool and may cause warm or hot spots to form in various rooms. You can't always repair the system and get it working again either. That's why you should look at the seven signs that now is the right time to upgrade your AC unit.

Costly Repairs

While residential HVAC service can make your AC unit last longer, you don't want to see the same technician come to your home month after month. A common sign you should upgrade your AC is when the repairs add up. Feel free to pay for one or two repairs every year, especially if you can't afford a new system. If the costs keep going up through, think about an upgrade.

Lots of Moisture

It's normal to see a small amount of water or moisture around the unit. This is from the condensation that forms inside. In most cases, you'll see a couple of small puddles every month. It's not normal to see bigger puddles or find new puddles around the AC. This is often a sign that there is even more condensation inside the unit and that your AC cannot keep up with your demands.

Uneven Cooling

Your AC works with the ducts to move cool air from one room to the next. When it works the way it should, every room will feel as cool as you want it. A faulty AC will produce uneven cooling. While one room might feel perfect, others will be a few degrees higher or more. Uneven cooling is a big sign you need a new unit.

Strange Noises

An AC can produce a lot of noise while running. You grow accustomed to those noises and may even learn how to ignore new sounds. Never ignore any strange sounds coming from your AC unit though. These signs can indicate a serious problem that will take a lot of time and money to fix. Always ask a technician to inspect the unit and find the causes of those noises. You might decide to upgrade to a better AC.

Tripped Breakers

Newer homes use circuit breakers that provide power to each outlet and room. You should upgrade your AC when running it, trips your circuit breaker, especially if this happens daily or weekly. The same holds true of older homes that still use fuses. If the AC blows your fuses, you should upgrade it. Tripped breakers and blown fuses are a sign that the AC uses more power than it should. You might even find that turning the temperature down or only using it for a few hours a day does not help.

High Bills

The average cost of running an AC ranges from around $15 to $211 per month. Many people budget for the warmer months to make sure they can run their AC as often as they want. Always keep track of your monthly power bills. If your AC causes your bill to skyrocket and costs more than it did last year, you may need to upgrade or replace it.

It's Old

Buying and installing an HVAC system can easily cost a few thousand dollars or more. It's a serious investment and one that you don't want to replace. Most AC units have an average lifespan of around a decade though. When you break this down to your annual costs, you'll find that you got a lot out of your AC over the years. The best time to upgrade your AC is when it hits the decade mark.

When to Upgrade Your AC

While you'll get around a decade of use out of an AC unit, you might get even more use out of it. If you're on the fence about whether to spend more on an upgrade, think about some of the problems you had with it. A reputable HVAC technician can easily help you choose the right upgrades for your unit. Some of the signs that it's time for an upgrade include high power bills and uneven cooling.

Guest Contributor: Miranda Spears