Air conditioners are designed to provide many years of reliable service, but eventually every cooling system needs to be replaced. Think back to last summer and consider these five signs that your system is failing and needs to be repaired or replaced.

1. Advanced age: Older air conditioners are more likely to experience failures that make them useless or too expensive to fix. A well-maintained unit can last for many years, and age should not be the only criterion for replacement. However, if you’ve had your unit for 10 or more years, you should be thinking about replacing it.
2. Decreased performance and efficiency: A reduction in cooling and uneven cooling could mean that your air conditioner is losing efficiency. It’s having to work harder to do its job, and this means your utility bills will soon rise, if they haven’t already. If maintenance and a boost of refrigerant don’t improve your unit’s performance, it may be ready for retirement.
3. Reduced ability to dehumidify your indoor air: Your air conditioner is designed to provide dehumidification, as well as cooling. If you noticed an increase in indoor humidity last summer — if one or more rooms felt sticky most of the time — you may need a new air conditioner.
4. Poor overall condition: An air conditioner in poor condition is a good candidate for replacement. Some signs of deterioration include increased noise in the system, frequent refrigerant leaks and coil corrosion.
5. Need for frequent repairs: Frequent repairs can be a significant waste of money, especially if you foresee just more of them in the future. If repair bills amount to more than 50 percent of the cost of replacing your air conditioner, it’s time to get that new cooling system.

Rheem Pro Partner is the Denver area’s reliable source of home comfort and equipment sales, maintenance and repair. Contact us for more advice on whether to repair or replace that old air conditioner and for expert assistance when you choose your new system.

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