How much do you rely on your AC when the weather gets too hot to handle? If you're like most people, you probably regard your AC as a lifesaver during sweltering weather. According to Energy Saver, 75% of U.S. homes have air conditioning. When summer's in full swing, you can expect your AC to be working extra hard. If you don't think your unit is up for the job, the best time for an AC replacement is when the weather is cool. Here are the signs you need to watch out for if you think your AC needs to be replaced.

Ineffective Cooling

There are many reasons why your existing unit might fail to keep your home cool. The problem could be as simple as the unit being too small to meet your home's cooling needs. In most instances, you're simply dealing with a faulty unit that's losing its function. The biggest sign that you need an AC replacement is when it's blowing warm air or failing to turn on at all.

It may also be time for an AC replacement if little air is blowing out of your vents. Even though the air is cool, the weak airflow ensures that not enough conditioned air circulates through the room. The issue might be a faulty compressor, or it could be problems with the ducts – whatever the problem may be, get in touch with an HVAC professional as soon as possible.

You should also note that one of the responsibilities of your AC is to remove humidity from the air inside your home. High humidity can make hot weather unbearable and increase the amount of moisture in your home, which brings its own set of problems. If your AC is failing to remove humidity or cool your home properly, it might be time for an AC replacement from professionals.

Frequent AC Repairs

One thing you must prioritize when it comes to your AC unit is reliability. When the heat is rising outside, you want to be able to rely on your AC. However, it can be annoying if your unit keeps breaking down. That means you have to request an emergency AC repair or get support with other unusual behaviors your AC might be exhibiting. Perhaps you keep hearing loud noises inside the AC unit, such as grinding, squealing, and scraping. Maybe there's a strong smell of burnt-out electrical wires or water or refrigerant leaking from the air conditioning unit. If these problems with your AC occur frequently, it makes more financial sense to opt for a replacement than continuing to do frequent repairs.

Sometimes, if your AC needs repairs and the problem is not fixed quickly enough, this results in major issues that can warrant a replacement. Therefore, when you invest in a new AC, be sure to stay on top of maintenance and repairs to extend the life of your unit.

Outdated Unit

Given how hard your AC unit works, it's also good to remember that the more your unit is used, the more wear and tear it experiences. While it's true that there are ways to extend the life of your unit, there's not much you can do when your AC finally reaches the end of its life expectancy. Even if your unit appears to be chugging along nicely, it may not be performing as efficiently as it should be. That means it's consuming more electricity to keep your home cool, and the extra costs can add up over time. Fortunately, there are many HVAC models currently on the market that are designed to be highly efficient.

When shopping for a new AC, keep energy efficiency in mind and look for features such as a high SEER rating and a smart thermostat. If you're not sure whether your unit is old enough to warrant a replacement, check the attached nameplate for the manufacturer's date. While you may not have to replace your unit right away, you can start budgeting for an AC replacement ahead of time so you're financially prepared in the worst-case scenario.

All of these factors are signs that you need to invest in an AC replacement sooner rather than later. The last thing you want is for air conditioning problems to catch you off guard at the most inconvenient of times. Once you hire the right professional for the replacement service, you can expect more years of quality service from your investment. Contact us at AC1 Heating and Cooling to learn more about our AC replacement services. We'd love to help get you comfortable again!