Having an air conditioner is a crucial part of a comfortable lifestyle at home. They can last quite awhile if they are well taken cared of. But, these type of machines don't last forever. No matter how well we treat it, air conditioners will degrade to the point that it needs a replacement. Knowing when your home’s air conditioning needs a replacement is crucial. The costs of constant repairs on an old system can be expensive every time your A/C breaks down. Here are four signs that mean your air conditioner needs a replacement:   Your Unit Has Been Around For Awhile The typical lifespan of air conditioners on average is between 10 - 12 years. Older units are less efficient when compared to newer ones with better technology. If your unit has reached a decade or longer, you may want to talk to a professional and consider replacing it. Getting a new one can save you money on your electricity bills. Plus, you won't need as much professional help. The only downside is the initial cost, but you will save more in the long run.

Your home’s air conditioning system may show some startling signs at times. For instance, it can leak water. You may think that a part inside your air conditioner has broken or malfunctioned. You may not have to dial a repairman right away as long as you are able to detect what is happening and fix it.   When your air conditioner’s evaporator coils meet warm air, it will gather moisture. It will then send it to the condensate pan for drainage. This is a normal process and it should not worry you. If there is too much condensation, leaks too much, and fosters mold and mildew, there may be a bigger issue.   Leaking On Hot Days   On the hot days of summer, your air conditioning will run at all times to keep the temperature cool. It will dehumidify the place by gathering the warm, humid air and swapping it for cooler air.   There is more humidity taken in during times of warmer temperature. Because of this, your air conditioner will produce more condensation than usual. That may cause your condensate pan to overflow. If this occurs often, contact an HVAC professional. You can discuss better ways for your air conditioner to cool your home.   A Restricted Airflow Will Freeze Condensation  

Summer is right around the corner. While most are gearing up for afternoons at the beach, some can’t take the heat. They would rather stay indoors with a trusty air conditioning system. But, there may be instances where your air conditioner won’t work right.   If it won’t start or it won’t cool, it doesn’t mean you have to call in an HVAC technician right away. There are a couple of do-it-yourself measures you can take to check for common issues.   Check The Power The first and most obvious thing that you can check is the power. It may seem too simple, but if you have children or pets, they may have detached the plug without realizing. See if you plugged your air conditioner in. If it is and it doesn’t start up, it could be a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker. Circuits may be volatile, especially in older houses. It may experience an overload especially if shared with other appliances. If a part of your air conditioner has damage, it’s best to let the professionals take care of it. You don't want to risk getting harmed or further damage to your system.  

It is important that your AC unit is ready for summer. You should get regular maintenance done on your air conditioner before summer approaches. It will prevent you from making costly mistakes. At the same time, your system will function with efficiency all throughout the season. You can do certain cleaning and maintenance tasks to avoid extra professional charges. Here are a few things you can do at home to maintain your AC’s efficiency:   Remove Condenser Covers, Coil Blankets or Lids A central air-conditioning system has a condenser unit located outdoors. It also has an evaporator unit mounted on the furnace. Starting the system with the covers in place, even for a short time, could damage your system. Remove any cover before running the system.   Remove Debris from Outdoor Coils The system coils are there to transfer heat. Dirty outdoor coils can cause your AC to overheat and trip your breaker. Small obstructions like dirt can reduce your system’s efficiency. Use a garden hose to wash off dust, pollen, and debris in the coils. Use a refrigerator coil brush to clean the coils from the outside of the unit. Be careful not to bend the delicate fins or damage the coils.  

SEER means Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This means it is the ratio rating of the cooling output of an air conditioner on certain seasons. A SEER rating divides the energy it consumes in Watt-Hours in order for you to identify the ratio.   The SEER value of modern air conditioners will range from 13 SEER to about 25 SEER.  A lot of confusion has been going around town and it’s time to further explain what SEER means.   SEER Value Cannot Predict Energy Usage   A SEER value often changes. You should not always rely on it regardless of the fact that it has a standard computation or formula. Hence, it doesn’t also mean that the higher your SEER value is, the more it is energy efficient. It depends on how long you use your unit and the type of weather you have. It also depends on how long it takes your A/C to reach the adjusted temperature.   Aside from that, air conditioning units which have a higher SEER rating tend to be more expensive. Although they can cost you more when you buy it, they last longer and often need less repairs. That’s the good thing about units with high SEER ratings. An air conditioner that has a SEER value of 14 or less has a higher maintenance cost. This is when compared to ones which have a higher SEER value.   SEER Value Doesn’t Increase by Upgrading Your Condenser   Don’t get fooled by sales talk. Upgrading your condenser unit to a higher SEER doesn’t provide your unit with a higher SEER value. If you need to upgrade, upgrade your entire unit or the entire system. It is the best advisable way in upgrading to equipment with a higher SEER value. And it involves upgrading the condenser, furnace, and evaporative coil. They all work together as a system.   The Best Advisable SEER Rating  

When the weather gets hotter, you rely on your air conditioner to keep you cool and comfortable. Extreme heat not only makes you feel low on energy and uncomfortable, it can also pose a health risk. If the air conditioner isn't blowing cold air, you should get to the bottom of the problem as soon as possible. Extreme heat doesn’t only make you feel unpleasant. It can lead to dehydration and other heat-related illnesses. This is particularly true for children up to age 4 amd people 65 or older. Excessive heat can also affect overweight individuals and patients with health conditions. This comes from a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In a worst-case scenario, a vulnerable person could succumb to heat stroke. This is where he or she cannot control body temperature (no longer able to perspire and cool down). Left untreated, the result can be disability or death. Maintaining cool temperatures in the summer keeps you comfortable and healthy. Here are some common reasons why an air conditioner is not blowing cold air. In some cases, you may be able to remedy the situation yourself. Otherwise, the trained technicians at Ardmore are ready to help you and get the AC back up and running. Thermostat Settings The first thing you should check is the thermostat. Under normal circumstances, you would set the thermostat to be a certain temperature. But, if you have set the thermostat to “On” instead of “Auto,” the fan will run even when the system is not cooling the air. Switch the thermostat to “Auto” and it should only blow cool air. If this doesn’t take care of the situation, more investigation is in order.