Nobody wants to think about it (and trust us, we understand why), but every air conditioner will eventually give out. The time will come when it’ll no longer be able to cool your home like you need it to, and you’ll need to replace it with a newer model.
But should you buy a new AC this summer? Let Morris-Jenkins help you consider all factors and make the best decision for your family!
Should I Replace My Air Conditioner?
If your AC is reaching the end of its life, there’ll be signs. And you don’t wanna wait until the worst heat of summer to think about a replacement! But if you do wait, don’t worry; Morris-Jenkins is here to help!
We get there faster so you’re not stuck sweating it out. Our team can help you pick the right AC for your home and get it installed before you know it. It might be time to replace your AC if:
1) Your Central Air Conditioner Is 12 Years Old or Older
The life expectancy of a central air conditioner is around 10-12 years, though that range can vary depending on a few different factors. If you haven’t kept up with regular maintenance, your air conditioner isn’t likely to live as long as one that’s been well-maintained.
If your unit has reached 12 years of age, it’s time to consider replacing it. An older unit is far more likely to have serious problems, especially once the summer’s extreme heat and high humidity get here for good. You don’t wanna risk your AC going out when summer is in full swing.
2) Your Energy Costs Are Getting Higher
If your energy bill seems higher than ever, you’re probably not going crazy; it might just be time to consider installing a new air conditioner! If nothing else, we recommend having a trustworthy Morris-Jenkins technician inspect your AC in case something can be done to optimize it.
Sometimes, contractors will install an improperly sized system in someone’s home, which can result in high energy bills. To put it simply, this’ll make it hard for your AC to keep up or cause it to shut off so quickly that it isn’t removing humidity. Other times, your AC is aging, or parts are going bad, making it hard for your system to keep up with the demands to cool your home.
3) Your Home Feels Too Humid
Did you know your central air conditioning system, on average, collects one gallon of water each hour that it’s running?
The number one job of an AC unit is humidity control. In fact, that’s the original reason it was invented! It is much easier to cool the air when humidity levels are kept in check. If your home feels humid even with the AC running, it’s probably not removing humidity as well as it should, and that means it’s not doing its main job!
Don’t put up with high humidity! Your indoor air quality is important, so be sure to not neglect it! Talk to Morris-Jenkins about installing a new air conditioner in Charlotte.
4) Your House Doesn’t Get Cool Enough in the Summer
Even if your air conditioner is still relatively young, it’s not immune to an occasional problem here and there. Sometimes, your AC is simply too dirty. A dirty system won’t cool your house well. If you haven’t been replacing your filters often enough (every 30-60 days), or if you’re not using the right kind of filters (we recommend MERV 8), dust and debris can build up in your AC, making it hard for it to breathe.
In the indoor unit, there is a piece called a blower. The blower resembles a hamster wheel—it has spinning blades, and these blades push air through your house. They’re curved to push air faster, but if you don’t replace your filters, debris can collect in the blower, reducing the curve of the blades and basically making them work as if they’re flat. When this happens, the airflow of your system is reduced, and this can cause major problems with heating and cooling.
The outside part of your system collects dirt and dust (much like a vacuum bag) all summer long. This debris acts like a thick winter coat on your AC that keeps it from cooling. That’s why it’s always a good idea to schedule an annual Check’n’Wash with Morris-Jenkins! It includes a thorough cleaning of your outdoor unit to remove this coat, allowing your air conditioner to breathe!
5) Your Air Conditioning System Hasn’t Received Regular Maintenance
Did you know your AC unit will only keep your house about 20 degrees cooler than the outside temperature? If your air conditioner is working and it’s 85 degrees out, your house should get down to 65. If it’s 95 degrees outside, your unit should go to 75.
During milder weather, you won’t need that 20-degree difference. If it’s 70 out, you likely aren’t turning your AC down to 50 degrees, so the temperature difference is far smaller. Because of this, your AC doesn’t have to run full-blast until the hot weather hits, and you may not realize that it isn’t capable of working at full-power until it’s too late.
You might not know your AC is broken! Before the heat of a Carolina summer hits, schedule an appointment with a technician to inspect your system. Our techs are trained to detect problems proactively, so by scheduling regular AC maintenance, you can ensure your air conditioning system will run smoothly when the summer heat rolls in!
Replacing Your AC Unit Early in the Season
When was the last time you went shoe shopping? Have you ever seen a great pair of shoes, only to find that they seem to be available in every size except your own?
HVAC system supply houses have far more products available early in the season, but they’re usually pretty careful to not over-purchase. Just like shoe stores, sometimes they run out of the more popular sizes/styles. If you wait until later in the season to buy a new heating and cooling system, it may have to be special ordered and it can take longer to arrive. Time spent waiting for your new unit is time spent with a broken AC.
Luckily, Morris-Jenkins isn’t caught off guard by the crazy Carolina summer heat! Because we’re local to the area, we know how quickly the weather can flip from “kinda warm” to “scorching hot.” That’s why we plan ahead and keep the most in-demand systems stocked and ready to install. We keep stock of tons of air conditioners to make sure we’re ready when families call for help keeping their homes cool. No matter the time of year, we’re ready to help!
Protecting Your New Air Conditioner With Regular Maintenance
No one wants to think about their air conditioning system breaking during the summer! It’s a reality that too many homeowners run into, though. And it’s usually completely preventable!
If you’re looking to get as much life out of your air conditioner as possible, consider becoming a Priority Advantage® Member. Our members get two maintenance checks per year to keep their systems in the best shape possible!
The heat is coming. Will you be ready? Contact Morris-Jenkins today to learn more about becoming a Priority Advantage® Member or to start the enrollment process!
Looking for Air Conditioner Installation in Charlotte? Schedule With Morris-Jenkins!
Air conditioner replacement; it’s a topic nobody wants to talk about, but when it’s time, you’ll be glad you called someone who makes it easy. At Morris-Jenkins, we don’t just install new AC systems—we help you find the right fit for your home and budget, then get it installed fast so your family can stay comfortable.
If you’ve realized installing a new AC is the best decision for your family, Morris-Jenkins is here to help! We install ACs in Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia, Huntersville, Fort Mill, and other surrounding areas! Give us a call or contact us online today for an estimate. We’re so excited to help your family stay cool this summer with a new central air conditioning unit you can count on!
