AC Repair Or Replacements? Questions To Ask Yourself | Fort Worth, TX
As the temperatures continue to rise, your air conditioner will probably start to work extra hours to ensure that your Fort Worth, TX home is properly cooled. This means that you might notice that the cooling bills have suddenly increased. Is it time to replace the air conditioner? However, there are several things to consider before you decide to replace your existing air conditioning unit. Remember, an AC unit isn’t the cheapest of appliances, and different situations might require different approaches or solutions. Before you enlist the help of an AC repair professional, consider the following things:
Should You Replace Your Current Air Conditioner or Repair It?
This is the first question your AC repair technician should ask before you embark on any replacement. Understanding the surefire signs that your air conditioning system has reached the end of its service life and might soon need to be replaced is critical for any homeowner. If your HVAC system is over ten years old, needs more frequent repairs, or the cooling energy utility bills have unexplainably increased, then replacing it is the most economical option. Remember, these are signs that you need to replace the air conditioner. Therefore, you should consult your heating and air conditioning service provider for more information. You should aim at knowing the signs earlier to be able to make the right decision. It also allows you to look for various financing options and craft your budget. Otherwise, you can repair the unit if it isn’t too old and continue enjoying the comfort.
Is Your Current Air Conditioning System Too Old?
Even if your heating and air conditioning system is only about ten years old, switching to a newer and more efficient model can help you save twenty to forty percent on your cooling energy bills, according to the Department of Energy. If your appliance is more than ten years old, you should consider upgrading to a more modern, high-end model. Compared to earlier models, these appliances use less energy. The Department of Energy estimates that you will save up to forty percent on cooling energy costs by having an AC repair technician help you switch to a newer air conditioner, even if it is 5-7 years old. Older units cost more to maintain because you’ll likely pay more for parts and services as they accumulate.
What’s the Installation Timeline?
Installing a brand-new air-conditioning system or replacing the old one is a process that takes time and effort. It involves electrical work, laying the ductwork, plumbing, system calibration, and testing. All these could take an AC repair technician sometime before completing the installation. The professionals understand that some Fort Worth, TX homeowners are always eager to have their new air conditioning systems installed, especially before the summer. However, the technician should inform you of the timelines before they start and during the work. This is to ensure that you are in the know and can take any remedial measures. AC repair professionals pride themselves in transparency and aim to provide you with accurate expectations and information.
Is Your Current Air Conditioner Energy Inefficient?
Do you use your air conditioning system more frequently? The unit is most likely running longer than it should, meaning it isn’t cooling your home with the necessary efficiency. This means that your air conditioning system uses more energy than should keep your home comfortable. If you are still determining how energy efficient your air conditioner is, you might have to call an AC repair technician to help you test and inspect the AC unit. If your unit uses more energy and is over ten years old, replacing it might be the best option. It is worth noting that any fault in any component impacts your unit’s energy efficiency.
Are There Any New Technologies That You Want to Consider?
Modern Trane systems include new design, construction, and manufacturing technologies. It would be best if you gave a programmable thermostat some thought. With a programmable or smart thermostat, you can plan settings ahead of time to regulate the temperature throughout the day. Energy costs will be reduced without compromising comfort. You can request a comfort professional’s help to learn how to use your smart or programmable thermostat. Hence, you should not have to enlist an AC repair technician to replace your existing AC unit because you can enhance its efficiency by installing a smart or programmable thermostat.
Does Your Current HVAC Unit Frequently Fail?
Long-term costs of unreliable HVAC systems are high. If your warranty doesn’t cover them, those service calls to an AC repair company can add up and cost you much money. This problem requires immediate attention if you need to hire a specialist to fix your appliance more frequently than once per year. High energy costs will also affect you negatively because they will increase the cost of your cooling system. In this situation, you should immediately consider replacing your air conditioning system.
Is There a Warranty for the Air Conditioning System?
Some people often need to pay more attention to the warranties regarding air conditioning since they feel it isn’t required. However, considering the cost of an air conditioning system, the warranty does matter. Various manufacturers extend different warranties, including labor warranties and parts warranties. Before purchasing an air conditioner, ask the vendor what kind of warranty they offer. The warranty covers any replacements and AC repairs that might arise down the line.
How Old Is Your Air Home?
In modern homes, air conditioners typically last longer. This results from the increased emphasis on energy efficiency while building new systems. Additionally, they have thicker walls and better insulation. Climate can also factor in this since older Fort Worth, TX homes might be unable to endure greater temperatures because they were constructed for colder climates. You should have an AC repair technician replace your outdated air conditioner with another newer model if your house is more than 15 years old. More air cooling and heating are used in older buildings, increasing energy costs.
Is the HVAC Contractor You Are About to Enlist Reputable? Are They Licensed?
The reputation of the AC repair company should be among the main reasons you hire one. A company with an excellent reputation will complete the job within the set timelines correctly and effectively. Additionally, the HVAC company should be licensed to operate in Texas. Otherwise, you could see your warranty become void if you enlist an unlicensed contractor. The company must be accredited by the BBB and willing to show you its licensing and some references. The accolades and positive customer reviews can further evidence their reputation.
Are Your Cooling Energy Bills Increasing?
Although rising bills may not always indicate a problem with your HVAC system, they could be the first indication of future issues. Have an AC repair technician inspect the property immediately if you notice a surge in the bill to determine whether any problems exist. Then, consider replacing your unit as soon as possible if it has issues. As time passes and more extensive repairs are required, these problems will only worsen.
What Is the Approximate AC Replacement Cost?
Before hiring an AC repair company to replace your old air conditioner, you need to ask them for the estimated cost. A professional will complete the load calculation and evaluate your needs before giving you an estimate. Based on the estimates, you can decide whether to replace or repair the air conditioner. The approximate installation cost should include the cost of purchasing the unit, any needed parts, and labor. This way, you can take as many quotations as possible and compare them to arrive at a company that fits your budget. It would be best if you ask your HVAC contractor in Fort Worth, TX about the installation process they will use. This is because some “professionals” don’t have a comprehensive process.
What Is the Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency Rating?
When thinking about your present air conditioning unit, make sure to account for your energy needs. A unit’s EER (energy efficiency rating) measures the amount of cooling power it can produce using a specific amount of electrical power. It’s time to call a heating and AC repair technician to upgrade your AC to a newer and more efficient model if your present unit has a low EER.
How Often Do You Use Your Air Conditioner?
Remember that air conditioning systems constantly consume energy. Therefore, it will cost more to use the more you require it. It’s time to have a heating and AC repair company in Fort Worth, TX replace your unit heating and air conditioning system if you need to use it more frequently to cover the expense of ownership. There are several possible causes for your under- or overuse of your device.
What Type of Coolant Does the AC Unit Use?
The substance known as a refrigerant is utilized to disperse heat from your heating and air conditioning system and move around the house. You should get ready to buy a new unit if yours uses R-22. Due to its reputation as a fugitive gas, many HVAC companies are phasing out the petrochemical refrigerant R-22. Environmental and human health is at risk if this gas leaks. If your air conditioner uses an R-22 refrigerant, you should consider replacing it.
No matter how well-maintained your air conditioner is, eventually, it will need to be replaced due to wear and tear. Although you may believe that getting it fixed will save you a lot of money, this is not the most excellent course of action in terms of the overall cost. Your system is already past its prime if you need to call a heating and AC repair technician more frequently than once per year. You may consider replacing it completely.
Do Your Air Ducts Have Any Issues?
Ducts are included with air conditioning equipment to deliver the air. Your cooling effectiveness suffers if these ducts see premature wear and tear. To avoid this, you must ascertain whether the ductworks are in good operating order. The ductwork not operating at its best will waste electrical energy and increase your expenses. If this is the case, you should immediately call a heating and AC repair technician to replace your old unit because malfunctioning ductwork can easily cause heating issues.
What Is the Right HVAC Size for Your Home? Which Brand is the Best?
The other question is, what is the right HVAC brand? What size of a unit will efficiently cool your Fort Worth, TX home? Here, the size of the unit doesn’t mean the physical dimensions but the heating or cooling capacity in BTUs. A professional heating and AC repair technician will perform load testing and calculations to determine the unit’s capacity required. They will also be able to determine how to design the air ducts for efficient air distribution into all rooms. They will also ask other questions to help them determine whether a replacement or a repair is necessary.
How Does Your Indoor Space Warm Up?
Your air conditioner will only be able to completely cool the house down if your indoor space heats up from the bottom rather than the top. Because hot air rises, this occurs. Therefore, it makes sense to consider investing in a heating and air conditioning system that can cool your house down from the top and have a technician install it. By doing this, the air then circulates the house and cools the rooms.
After determining that you want to repair or replace your unit, you need to call a heating and AC repair technician in Fort Worth, TX to effect the replacement. Never repair or replace your heating and air conditioning system yourself. DIY repairs will result in various other issues that might result in injury or damage. Instead, contact us at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth today for any air conditioning replacements, installations, or repairs.