Why Winter Is the Best Time to Replace Your Home’s Cooling System

Why Winter Is the Best Time to Replace Your Home’s Cooling System

It’s cold outside, so why would you be thinking about your air conditioner now? You just want to stay warm as cold drafts and brutal wind chills freeze you to the core. If you haven’t given your old AC system a thought since winter began, it’s time to change that. 

Ask an HVAC expert about replacing a home cooling system. The answer is always that you should replace it in the late fall or winter. Waiting until you need it is a massive mistake as prices are going to be higher due to demand. If your goal is to save money and have a new AC running efficiently in the summer’s heat and humidity, now is the ideal time to replace your old AC system.

Signs That Your AC Needs Replacing

How do you know if it’s time? These are the main indicators that it’s time to replace your AC system.

• Alarming Sounds – Loud bangs, squeals, and whistles indicate problems that could mean failure is imminent. Repairs may be all that you need, but sometimes the repairs only add a few months to an older system’s life. If your system is 15 years or older, consider replacing it.
• Foul Odors: Any system that smells musty or putrid has issues that need addressing. It could be a dead animal that got into your ducts, or there’s mold inside your ducts. If your air isn’t taking out enough humidity, mold and mildew may form within your ducts. If so, you need to learn why it happened and what you can do to fix it.
• Frequent Repairs: Frequent repairs are a key indicator of a failing AC system. Those repairs may not seem too expensive in comparison to a new system. However, if this is the fifth time you’ve had the system repaired in a few months, those bills add up quickly. It’s better to pay for a new air conditioning system and enjoy the benefits of warranty coverage and installer guarantees.
• Higher Electricity or Gas Bills: Are your electricity or gas bills increasing? If your system isn’t working effectively, your electricity or gas consumption also increases as the unit does what it can to cool your home. Rising energy costs are a good indication that it’s time to replace your AC.
• Increased Humidity: An AC system should remove excess humidity from your home and make it a comfortable living space. If humidity is increasing and your system is running as normal, it’s not doing its job.
• Lack of Cold Air: One of the leading indicators of a failing AC system is when warm air blows from your registers. You should feel the cold air. If not, call a Chicago AC specialist.
• Poor Airflow: Poor airflow is another concern. You used to feel the cold air from your registers when you were standing several feet away. Now, you don’t feel it unless you put your hand against the register. Your fans aren’t pushing the air efficiently.
• System Age: Age is a prime indicator of the need for a new AC. An AC system should last around 15 to 20 years. With proper care, you might get 30 years from it, but the older equipment may not be as cost-effective as it was back then. Modern HVAC equipment has features that lower carbon emissions while lowering your energy costs.

If it’s time, winter is ideal for that necessary AC replacement. Air conditioner installers aren’t busy, so they can complete the installation on your schedule. Plus, equipment isn’t in high demand, so the prices are lower. You’ll get a new system for an impressive discount.

Tips for Choosing a New Air Conditioning System

When you’re looking at a new AC system, there are several factors to keep in mind. Consider each of these factors before making a final choice.

Brand Reputation

What brands have the best reputation for reliability, performance, and longevity? If a brand has a reputation for being great for five years and then suffering catastrophic failures, that brand may not be a better choice than a brand with a great reputation for having HVAC equipment that lasts decades.

Capacity/Cooling Ability

You need an AC that can cool your home. An AC system designed to cool a 2,000-square-foot home may seem like a more powerful choice for your 1,500-square-foot home, but it’s not. It will cool too quickly and create an issue where your system is turning on and off too rapidly. Likewise, a smaller square footage may save you money, but it will never effectively cool your larger home. The system will never turn off.

Cost

You do need to consider your budget. If you cannot afford the system of your dreams, it’s not worth potential bankruptcy to purchase it. You need to have a price point in mind and stick to it. As you do consider the cost, remember that your energy bills will decrease with a new AC system. Factor in the savings on electricity and gas.

Energy Efficiency

The government offers tax incentives to homeowners who upgrade old HVAC equipment to energy-efficient models. Look into these savings programs. Also, check with your electric company to see if they have instant rebates available. Many do as long as you choose an installation technician who’s on their list of approved contractors.

Technology

Today’s technology offers impressive benefits that people didn’t even dream would be possible a decade ago. How about a system that alerts you to problems and provides a code your AC technician can research and possibly complete the repair from a remote location? Would you like a system that alerts you when the filter needs changing?

Smart thermostats learn your patterns and set the temperature to your preferred settings when you leave your house and are due to return home. Did you go on vacation and forget to turn down your thermostat? Do it from the app on your phone.

Warranty Coverage

Pay close attention to both the manufacturer and installer’s warranty and installation guarantees. Manufacturer warranties require you to prove your system was installed by one of their HVAC partners. If you try to DIY an AC system, you end up voiding the warranty.

At Air Blue, we add a two-year Equipment Test Drive Guarantee, a three-year maintenance plan, and a lifetime Installation Guarantee. For several years, you have peace of mind that hefty repair bills aren’t something you have to worry about.

What to Expect During the Installation

If you’ve chosen a central AC system replacement, you already have the site for the condenser unit. If it’s in rough shape, that may need replacing before the installation begins. This includes laying a new concrete pad after leveling the ground and removing any shrubs or plants that will grow too close.

The indoor unit is installed next, often in your attic, closet, or your basement. The indoor and outdoor units are connected by drilling holes in the wall and running the refrigerant lines.

If you have existing ductwork, it’s inspected and repaired. If any sections need replacement, that is completed. All electricals are connected and tested before the thermostat is installed. Once this is completed, the system is tested to ensure it works correctly. If not, adjustments are made until it is.

Once the new AC is installed, your technician will walk you through how to use it, what maintenance is needed, and what to do if you need help. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions before your technician leaves.

Work with a specialist in central AC and mini-split systems to ensure you’re making the best possible choice. You want a system that’s going to cool your home efficiently, keep energy consumption down, and last a long time. Air Blue Heating and Cooling specializes in air conditioning systems for Chicagoland homes. Ask us how you can get $150 off a new AC installation or have a new AC installed for just $125 a month.