Air conditioning systems are your best friend in the middle of a hot summer day, especially when weather conditions feel unbearable. However, just like any household appliance that your house has, there comes a time when the system will stop working completely. When it gets to this point and it cannot be repaired by same day air conditioning repair services, it is time to cut your losses and move on – you will need to replace that unit.
However, there lies another question. What if the system is working, but not as good or efficiently as it once did? Even though it is still giving you some cool air when you switch it on, it is not doing its job properly. On the other hand, there may be no in-your-face signs of diminishing performance, but you know well that it cannot compare to the efficiency of newer models. In a case like this, what should you do?
The default response of many people is to keep the unit running for as long as possible until it completely breaks down and cannot be repaired. That is understandable in terms of financial costs – especially when money is tight, and you only have so much to do with it. Even if this is your case, here are some reasons you should consider spending that money on the repair of your AC system. Here are some problems associated with staying with a worn down system for too long.
Wear and tear
All machines will break down at some point in time, no matter how much you take care of them, unfortunately. For many people, the logic keeps the system operating until it dies and has no chance of repair. The major reason for this thinking is due to the insurance policies of homeowners, which tend to be suffocating for many people.
The policies tend to make very sharp distinctions between air conditioning units that are installed in the building, and those that you install yourself (personal air conditioning systems). Usually, a homeowner’s insurance policy will cover the first category, while the second category is not covered.
That also means that the idea of operating the AC unit until it dies will not really work for you in the long term. Because it is not under an insurance cover, you will not get a free replacement. A much better idea would be replacing the unit at the appropriate time when wear begins to set in so that the middle of summer does not find you with a sudden breakdown of the system and you unable to repair it.
The next question is – what kind of wear and tear affects these units? One of the most common issues is damage to the fins. Fins are the collections of metal that look like grills and are found outside of the unit. They tend to be very delicate, which is why they are subject to easy damage. They can also bend out of shape due to various reasons – including accidental human contact, hail, and so on.
Once the fins are damaged, air cannot pass through them easily, and this causes premature wear and tear to the whole unit.
The other type of air conditioning units is the rooftop type, which is mostly found in commercial buildings. They are particularly vulnerable to damage by hail and other weather extremities, which shortens their lifespan.
You need to note that you should be careful when throwing out a worn out unit since some air conditioners (especially older ones) tend to use CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) that have great potential to damage the environment.
Allergens
Many people suffer from different allergies. However, you may not be aware that air conditioning units are part of the reason you could be falling sick frequently – even when you are simply turning them on for some much-needed comfort. The main question is why.
The first danger about AC units is that they can trap humidity within the fins, making them a conducive environment for toxic mold to grow. That is bad news for everyone involved, but it is worse for someone suffering from an allergy. The spores can trigger uncomfortable attacks and can be bad for people with respiratory issues such as asthma and sinus infections.
Another major issue is the use of units that lack proper sealing, as these allow particles from outside air to enter the room. For this reason, it is important that you check if your unit has proper sealing so that no outside air passes through. If sealing it is impossible, then you should consider getting a new unit that fits safety standards properly.
Changes in cooling
AC units are not meant to last forever, so you can expect them to go through significant changes in their functionality. The deterioration of their functions can show itself in various ways.
For instance, the system refuses to turn on despite you manually changing the thermostat temperature, to the air the system runs is not cool enough or tends to be warm and uncomfortable.
While it is not an easy task trying to find out the cause of inadequate cooling abilities, it can be attributed to a number of factors. These include the coolant fluid being at too low levels, a blower fan breaking, the outdoor compressor being clogged by something, and blocked condensate drains.
Problems with wiring
This is among the most common problems you can get – stopping and re-starting frequently, also known as ‘hard starting’. This is a pointer to a greater problem within the AC itself like blown fuses. The compressor also becomes overburdened, and this results in eventual failure.
The compressor can also overheat due to this, also speeding up its death. You may need to replace the compressor or call a maintenance man to check the unit.
Final thoughts
All of these risks go to show that you need to consider replacing the air conditioning system when things start to go wrong, especially when it is an old system. The good news is that replacing an old system is not hard, especially when you have a team of professionals who can assist you in the process.
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