When an appliance breaks in your home, you'll likely wonder if it needs to be repaired or if you are better off replacing it entirely. You don't want to make the mistake of replacing an appliance too early, which wastes money when a repair would have been just fine. When it comes to your air conditioner (AC), here are some signs that replacement will be the best option.

Frequent Repairs

Have you been constantly having problems with your air conditioner compressor? If so, there may be something wrong with it that requires a replacement. The compressor is the heart and soul of your central air conditioning, so pay attention if the problems revolve around that component. Other issues, such as leaks in the refrigerant line or faulty thermostats, are unrelated to this component and are cheap to repair. If you keep paying money for the compressor to be fixed, you may need to get a new model.

Warm Temperatures

One misconception people have about air conditioning is that changing the thermostat changes the temperature of the air that it produces. This is simply not true. An air conditioner should produce the same temperature of air whenever it is running, and the system simply cycles on and off to regulate the temperature in your home. If you feel warm air coming out of your ductwork, it means that the unit is unable to produce cold air like it once did. It may help to put a thermometer in one of the vents in your home to monitor the temperature of the air it is producing. If it's not consistent, it means that the air conditioner is failing

Age

Appliances in your home will have natural lifespans. At the end of these lifespans, you can expect the appliance to start failing. This is true of your air conditioner as well. You can expect to get between 15 and 20 years from a central air conditioner before it kicks the bucket. If your home's central air conditioner is in that range, it may be time to replace it rather than repair it because you'll otherwise be wasting money on a unit that could break down soon for another reason.

Not sure what to do about your air conditioner? Reach out to a local HVAC professional that specializes in AC replacement, such as Extreme Climates. They can take a look at your air conditioner, make a recommendation, and even perform the installation for you.