When the weather heats up, your air conditioner is essential for cooling down. Under normal circumstances, you rely on your home’s HVAC system to comfortably cool your home and give you a breather from the stifling heat outside. But what happens when it suddenly stops working?

You may not recognize it right away, but there are a few preliminary signs that indicate it’s time to invest in a new air conditioner. Knowing these signs may help you avoid a dreaded AC meltdown — and help you stay cool throughout the season:

• Aging: Most air conditioning units have a lifespan of between 15 and 20 years, according to the Department of Energy. Though air conditioning service companies may have the parts an older unit requires, you’ll likely end up spending more in the long run simply keeping it alive.
• Bills: Have you ever wondered why your energy bills seem to skyrocket every summer — perhaps even higher than they were the previous year? You can attribute that to an older air conditioning unit that isn’t designed to conserve energy. New models are designed to use less energy to cool your home, and with these units, you’ll notice an immediate difference in those energy bills.
• Replacements: If you’re constantly calling on your local air conditioning repair team to check out your HVAC unit, it’s unlikely that the problem will ever be sufficiently resolved. If your existing unit requires a major repair or needs a replacement part, you must determine whether the expense is worth it. In most cases — particularly if your air conditioner is especially old — it’s more cost-effective to invest in a new unit.

It’s crucial to ensure your air conditioner is prepared to handle the wrath of rising temperatures. If you’re concerned it isn’t cooling your home efficiently enough, it could be time to consider a new unit. Your air conditioning service professionals will provide you with the guidance needed to choose the best option for your home.

Sunshine Air Conditioning and Heating, serving Peekskill and Cortland, NY, provides reliable heating and cooling services. Turn to these licensed contractors for all of your air conditioning repair and maintenance needs. Visit the company’s website to learn more, or call (914) 245-2050 to speak with a representative. You can also connect with their team on Facebook.