Replacing your Air Conditioner in Reidsville

How do you know when it’s time to replace your air conditioner?

There are some important factors to take into account when deciding whether or not to replace your air conditioner. If any one of these or a combination of these things apply to your air conditioner, then it may be time to replace.

Age. Central Air Conditioning units are designed to last between 15 and 20 years. But if your system is 10 years old or older, there are many reasons to consider AC replacement in Reidsville or at least obtaining an estimate on a new system. As air conditioners age they run less efficiently. And due to advancements in technology, new air conditioners run more efficiently than older systems did when they were new. The money you save on energy costs will make a new system worth the money in just a few years. And as air conditioners age they need repairs more often, which can add up and begin to cost you more than a new system.

Frequent Repairs. Despite the age of your system, if you’ve had to have it repaired more than once in the last 2 years, it may be time to replace it. Frequent repairs can become quite costly and are usually a sign that the system is not running well. If the system seems to be too new for so many repairs, it’s possible the system is not the right size for the house or the system itself could be flawed.

High Energy Bills. If your energy bill has been gradually climbing or takes a sudden jump, it’s a sign that your system isn’t running efficiently. Minor repairs could solve the problem, but may only be a temporary fix. As stated previously, advancements in technology have made new air conditioners run more efficiently than in the past. There is no question that a new system will be more energy efficient than the system you have now.

Inconsistent Cooling. Do some rooms in your home cool better than others? Does it seem that your home doesn’t stay at the desired temperature? It may be time to replace your air conditioner if your home doesn’t stay comfortable. You should not have to keep changing your thermostat to achieve the desired temperature, and your system should not have to run all the time to keep your home cool. If minor repairs cannot correct this, a new air conditioner may be necessary.

Excessive Noise. If your air conditioner is suddenly running loudly or making noises you don’t remember hearing before, it most likely isn’t running properly and could be on its way to a break down. It could mean that minor parts are disconnected and may be an easy repair. But it could also mean that major parts are wearing out and failing. A professional technician can diagnose this for you.

Humidity. If your home seems humid, that is a sign of a problem with your air conditioner. This is also a problem that may be able to be repaired, but it may also mean that the system is on its last legs.

You can use these factors as a guideline, but the best thing to do would be to call a professional HVAC service to evaluate your system. In Reidsville and Eden, Carolina Fuels is an HVAC company you can count on to help you make that decision.

You’ve made the choice to have central air conditioning installation take place. The next decisions you will need to make are what brand to install and who to hire to install it. These aspects are equally important because certain brands are known to have better performance, which is dependent upon proper installation. A study was done by consumersearch.com comparing brands of central air conditioning units based on consumer surveys. It was found that proper installation and maintenance is just as important as the brand of air conditioner.

The main brands are:

Lennox – which owns Ducane

Goodman – which makes Amana and Janitrol

York – which makes Coleman and Luxaire

Trane – which also makes American Standard

Carrier – which owns Bryant

Rheem – which owns Rudd

The main factor taken into account when comparing these brands is reliability. Consumers simply want their air conditioner to work properly and continue to do so. According to survey information these brands are about equally reliable.

Poor installation is more likely the reason behind the poor performance of the air conditioner. Most brands, including York and Lennox, have specific requirements for the technicians who install their products. This ensures that the air conditioning units are installed correctly for better performance and reliability. If you have a Goodman air conditioner installed by a reliable contractor it can perform just as well as any other brand.

So if these brands are mostly equal, how can you decide which air conditioner to buy? Some models stand out in consumer studies based on three criteria: efficiency, quietness, and warranty length.

Maytag M1200 PSA4BI iQ Drive – SEER rating of 24.5, extremely quiet (59 decibals), 12 year warranty, made the energystar.gov 2013 list of most efficient air conditioners

Dave Lennox Signature Collection, XC21 – SEER rating of 21.2, 10 year warranty, very quiet (69 decibals) XC17 – SEER of 18 and less expensive, same quietness and warranty

Carrier Infinity Series, 24ANA1 and 24ANB1 – SEER rating of 21, very quiet (65 decibals), warranty lasts 10 years if product is registered within 90 days of purchase, otherwise 5 years, known for humidity control

Trane XL20i – SEER rating of 20, warranty of 12 years for the compressor, 10 years for the rest, well known, well recommended brand known for being tough and long lasting

Rheem Prestige RASL-JEC/Ruud Ultra UASL-JEC – SEER rating of 19.5 but still included in the Energystar list of efficient air conditioners, 10 year parts warranty and 10 year conditional replacement warranty

Amana ASXC18 – SEER of 18, quiet (71 decibals), 10 year limited warranty on parts and Amana offers a lifetime limited warranty

Alamance Oil can install any of these top brands and models of air conditioners in the Burlington area. Qualified technicians will help you determine the best model for your home and install it correctly to ensure the best performance.

Routine maintenance is the best thing you can do for your central air conditioner. A simple AC tune up can make a huge difference in the performance of your system. Annual tune ups keep your air conditioner running efficiently and extend its overall lifespan. Most Heating and Air Conditioning companies have a checklist that their technicians follow to be sure that every part is as it should be. Some of the most important things to be checked are:

Evaporator Coil. The evaporator coil will be thoroughly cleaned and checked for problems. When the evaporator coil gets dirty (and it will over time), it cannot absorb heat and produce cool air as it should. Replacing your filters often will keep more dirt out, but some will still get through. The evaporator coil should be cleaned each year by a professional before the onset of hot weather.

Condensate Drains. The condensate drains will be checked to be sure they are allowing moisture to drain out. The emergency drain pan will be checked to be sure it is not getting any overflow from the primary drain pan. If the condensate drains are not working properly, your house could become overly humid or water could leak into floors and walls.

Electrical Components. All electrical wires will be checked to be sure none are disconnected. All other electrical components will be checked for proper voltage and operation. If electrical wires are loose or disconnected, it effects the starting of the air conditioner. It can cause breakers to repeatedly trip or fuses to go out. It can also be a safety issue.

Ductwork. All of the ductwork needs to be checked for blockages. Blockages cause low air flow from the unit out through the vents, causing your home to cool slower than it should. Blocked ducts also cause low air flow into the unit which can cause ice to build up on the evaporator coil. The ducts also need to be checked for leaks. Leaky ducts cause the cool air to leak out into the attic or even outside where it won’t do any good toward cooling your home. Any of these problems mean your air conditioner won’t be able to cool your home as well as it should.

Lubrication. All moving parts must be well lubricated for the air conditioner to work properly. This is something the technician will take care of during a routine tune up.

Blower. The blower needs to be cleaned and adjusted each year. If dirt and dust builds up in the blower, it won’t be able to take in enough air and may allow dirt and dust to get into the system and into your home.

Refrigerant. If the refrigerant level is low, the system will not be able to produce cool air. Part of a regular tune up should be to check the refrigerant level and refill it if necessary.

Yearly tune ups are a must for all central air conditioning systems. Alamance Oil Co. provides regular service to Burlington and the surrounding area. Have a technician from Alamance Oil Co. tune up your air conditioner before the weather gets hot.

Installation of a central air conditioning unit in Greensboro is a job that is extremely critical to the efficient operation of your system. Proper installation will ensure the best performance from your air conditioning system. Poor installation can cause your air conditioner to break down more often and run less efficiently. Find a reputable contractor who can recommend the best air conditioning unit for your home and install it correctly.

One of the most common mistakes that is made when installing a new central air conditioner is incorrect size. It is crucial that a thorough assessment of the home is done in order to determine the right sized air conditioner. An air conditioner that is too small will not be able to fully cool the home and keep it comfortable. The system will have to run harder and more often, which will shorten its overall lifespan and require more repairs. It will also be less energy efficient and cause energy bills to go up. An air conditioner that is too big will have problems with humidity control and will be more expensive to run.

Another part of installation that can be an issue is the size of the ductwork. The same assessment that is done to determine the size of the air conditioner should also be used to determine the size of the ductwork. Improperly sized ductwork can cause too much or too little airflow in and out of the unit. This can cause your compressor to be overworked, resulting in early equipment failure. It will also impede efficiency.

A common problem that can occur with the ductwork is poor sealing. If the ductwork is not properly sealed, the cool air that should be blowing out of your vents to cool the lived in rooms in your home will escape into the attic or some other area instead. Of course this causes poor cooling of the home and higher energy bills.

Condensate drains are an important part of air conditioning installation that is often done wrong. If excess moisture cannot drain properly out of the AC unit it will cause humidity in the home and will eventually cause other problems. Also, if an emergency drain pan is not installed, any water that overflows from the main drainage pan will leak out into walls and ceilings causing damage to drywall and other problems.

Sometimes air conditioner installation in Greensboro is done with an incorrect level of refrigerant. Refrigerant level has to be very accurate to ensure the best performance from an air conditioner. If the refrigerant is low by even 10% it will cause the energy bill to go up by 20%.

With so many things that can go wrong with installation, be sure to hire a reputable company to do yours. Berico Heating and Air Conditioning has been serving Greensboro since 1924. Certified Berico technicians will accurately assess your home to be sure that the right size system is installed in your home. They have the experience necessary to install the ductwork properly, as well as the drains and refrigerant. You can rely on Berico to do it right the first time.

AC Replacement in Reidsville and Eden NC

To repair or replace? How do you know when it’s time to stop repairing your air conditioner and replace it with a new one? The best way to decide is to call a professional repair company. Trained technicians can diagnose your system and suggest the best course of action. But there are a few things you can look for that may mean your air conditioner needs to be replaced.

One thing to consider is the age of your system. Air conditioners can last for 15 or 20 years, but if your unit is more than 10 years old, you may want to consider replacement. Older systems are not as efficient as newer systems are. A newer, more efficient system uses less energy and will save you money. Another consideration with the age of your air conditioner is the type of refrigerant it uses. Older systems use Freon, which is being phased out by the federal government and being replaced by a new type of refrigerant that is more energy efficient. Eventually all air conditioners will use the new refrigerant and Freon will not be available for refilling old systems.

If your home is not cooling consistently, it may be time to replace your air conditioner in Reidsville, NC. You may find that some rooms are cool and others are not. It may seem that it takes too long for your home to cool down to the desired temperature. It may also seem that your system is running constantly to keep your home cool, which is a sign that your system is not working properly. And constant running will cause your system to wear out faster, making replacement inevitable.

Another sign that your air conditioner may be on its last legs is excessive noise. If your system is making more noise than usual, it is usually a sign that there are problems such as disconnected parts or a worn out motor. These things may be able to be repaired, but sometimes the cost of repairs is more than the cost of a new system. If your air conditioner needs repairs often, the cost will add up and you may find that you will save more money in the long run by replacing your system. A professional can help you to make this decision by evaluating the condition of your system.

Sometimes the problem is not with the performance of your air conditioner, but with the size. If the air conditioner is too small for the size of your home, it will not be able to do its job. Air conditioners are matched to homes based on the square footage that needs to be cooled. An air conditioner that is too small will not be able to keep your home at the desired temperature. Some rooms may be cooler than others and you may find that the humidity level is too high. If your air conditioner is too small for your home, consider upgrading to a bigger system.

If you need a technician to evaluate your air conditioner, Carolina Fuels is available in Eden and Reidsville. Trained technicians can repair or replace your system 24 hours a day. Call 336-623-9741 or visit our website: www.berico.com.