Well, first thing’s first. You’re going to want to know how old your unit is. It’s important to have an idea for the age of your unit, after all. Most people have their records kept somewhere, so try and find them if you don’t already know. Basically, if your unit is 15 years or older, its time has come to an end. You’ll want a newer model ASAP to help you out over the coming summer months. They’ll come with durability, unlike your old model.
However, even if your unit isn’t all that old, other things can sometimes tell signs that you need a replacement. Most notably, you’ll want to check for leaks around your system. If you’ve found a dripping source of water coming from the inside of your unit, or a puddle that’s formed around it, then you’re going to want to get it fixed. Trust us, leaks are never a good sign, and the sooner they can be sorted, the better.
Don’t just stop at leaks, either. There’s one other thing you should keep an eye on (or an ear in this case). Listen for strange noises coming out of your AC unit. If you can hear anything you feel shouldn’t be coming out of it, you know something needs to be fixed. Whether that’s a crash, bang, or a loud crackling noise, a professional should know what the noise is and how best to fix it for you.
Now that we’ve figured out whether we need a replacement, you’ll want to know the next step. Hire a professional! It’s that easy. They’ll be able to tell you exactly what kind of unit you’re going to need to replace your old one and will save you plenty of time in the process. It’ll cost you a little extra, sure, but it’s worth it to get a professional opinion on what faults your AC unit has.
Let’s think for a minute about what you might achieve on your own. You’re not an AC professional, so you won’t have many ideas of what unit you need to buy. Replacements can be pricey, so if you accidentally get the wrong model that’s not the right fit for your home, you’ll spend more money than it’s worth. A professional eye will skip this entirely for you and make sure you only get a model that’s right the first time.
A replacement doesn’t always have to be the only answer. Repairs are cheaper, and some people favor them greatly over replacements, know more on ac repairs. If you want to get a repair sorted, though, make sure you only do so with a newer unit.
Newer units will often take better to repair and last much longer with new parts. If you have an older unit (15 years or more like we mentioned), the repair might just be a band aid over a problem that’ll worsen over time.