When Should You Replace Your AC Unit? (2023)

If your air conditioner is older, you could be losing money each month by paying more to run an outdated system that’s lacking in efficiency. Plus, as your HVAC system ages, it’s more likely to break down and leave you with expensive repairs. That makes hanging onto your system more expensive than replacing it.

In this guide, we’re going to call on our years of experience to explain when you should replace your AC and how to know when a full replacement will save you more than avoiding paying for a new system.

We recommend reaching out to some local HVAC installation companies to get quotes for the replacement to do a cost-versus-value analysis to decide if AC replacement is your best option.

7 Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Air Conditioner

It’s not always obvious when your AC system needs to be replaced, so in most cases, you’ll have to rely on a professional system diagnosis to determine the issue, severity, and solution. However, there are seven important things to look out for which can indicate that your system is nearing the end of its useful lifespan. These include the following:

• Noticeable increase in your energy bill
• Your AC is blowing warm air
• Your AC system is making strange noises
• You’re experiencing minimal airflow
• Your air conditioning unit is leaking
• You know your system is old
• The frequency of maintenance is increasing

We’ll discuss these signs in greater depth in the following sections.

You See Noticeable Increase in Your Energy Bill

Your air conditioner uses electricity to cool your home, and the efficiency rating — usually expressed as a SEER rating (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) or SEER2 rating — dictates how much electricity is consumed to cool your living area. As your system ages, it will naturally decline in terms of efficiency.

Over time, that translates to higher and higher energy costs to provide the same amount of cooling. If you notice that your cooling costs are higher than they were in previous years, it might mean that replacing your AC is in order.

Your AC Is Blowing Warm Air

One of the most common — and most frustrating — issues you can have with an AC involves your indoor AC unit blowing warm or hot air rather than cool, refreshing air. There are a few things that can cause this problem.

First, your refrigerant levels could be low. Refrigerant — usually Freon (R-22 refrigerant) or Puron (R410a), depending on the age of your cool air system — is a substance that transfers heat from the air in your home to the outside through evaporation and condensation. If your system has a refrigerant leak, it could be a sign that the equipment is old and should be replaced.

Second, you could have an issue with your evaporator coils, your heat pump, or your condenser fan motor. These pieces are essential for the refrigerant to be able to do its job. They can be costly to replace and may warrant a total AC replacement if your current system is old enough or lacks efficiency.

Your AC System Is Making Strange Noises

Outdoor condensers and indoor AC units make some noise during operation, but if you start to hear grinding or whirring noises coming from either piece of the system, you might want to consider replacing your AC.

Unusual noises can indicate a wide range of problems, like worn belts, loose parts, or malfunctioning blower motors, condenser fan motors, or compressors. In any of these cases, your first order of business should be to call in an AC repair technician to get your system checked. If the solution is an expensive one, a full replacement might make more sense, depending on the age and condition of your current AC.

You’re Experiencing Minimal Airflow

In some cases, problems with the blower motor in your indoor HVAC unit can lead to a lack of air coming out of your vents at all. If you notice reduced airflow, you can first try replacing your air filters, which will also improve your indoor air quality. If that doesn’t work, we suggest contacting a reliable HVAC contractor to come to take a look.

Once again, the issue could be small, like a broken belt on your blower motor. If that’s the case, then a quick repair should fix your problem. If your tech finds that your blower motor needs to be replaced entirely, you could be looking at up to $2,000 for the repair. If your system as a whole is also old and losing efficiency, then it might be more affordable in the long run to replace your entire AC system instead.

Your Unit Is Leaking

In some cases, you might find that your indoor AC unit leaks water onto the floor or into the drain pan. This could be caused by a clogged condensate line, which requires a quick and easy fix.

Unfortunately, the problem could also be a result of a refrigerant leak and the resulting lower pressure inside your system. If the refrigerant is the problem, it could be a sign of an aging system, and a replacement might be a smarter option than a repair. You’ll need a professional to help assess the leak and determine the best course of action for you.

You Know Your System Is Old

The average air conditioner system lasts for around 15 years. Some of the best AC models can keep functioning for up to around 20 years, and some budget options may only last around ten years, especially if you don’t carry out annual HVAC maintenance.

If you know your AC is reaching the end of its expected life, you should consider replacing it preemptively. This could save you some money since you won’t need to pay for a rush service, and it also means you won’t have to deal with the sweltering summer temperatures with an AC that goes down unexpectedly.

The Frequency of Maintenance Is Increasing

Finally, if you notice that your air conditioner needs more frequent repairs than it has in the past, it’s a good indication that your equipment could be reaching the end of its life expectancy. New air conditioners can often run for a decade or more with just the bare minimum service, like an annual AC tune-up to keep efficiency high and operation normal.

If you find that you’re calling an HVAC technician in once a year or more to resolve problems with your system, then it’s probably time to replace it.

When Should You Replace Your Air Conditioner by Unit Type?

The information above can apply to any type of air conditioner, but the lifespan and average AC replacement costs can vary based on the kind of system you have in your home. The table below includes some general information about a few of the more common AC varieties, including the typical system lifespan.

Repairing Vs. Replacing Your Air Conditioner

With the replacement costs of most of the permanently installed systems above reaching over $5,000, most homeowners will wonder whether they should replace or repair their ACs.

The answer depends on a few factors. First, we recommend calling an HVAC technician to come out and assess your problem. They can determine if a repair is possible or financially viable or if a total replacement will end up saving you more in the long run.

Generally speaking, you can usually get away with an HVAC repair rather than a replacement if you have one of the following problems:

• A leak from your indoor unit that is fixed by clearing your condensate line
• Reduced airflow from your system that is fixed by replacing your air filters
• Your AC is blowing warm air, but the problem is found to be dirty evaporator coils

In some cases, you can carry out regular maintenance yourself. As the video below explains, keeping your outdoor condenser unit clear of any overgrowth and removing dust, dirt, and other debris from your condensate line are great ways to keep your AC up and running for longer. Routine maintenance like this can extend the life of your AC system and reduce your long-term repair costs:

What’s Our Recommendation on When To Replace an AC Unit?

In our experience, being proactive and replacing your AC at the end of its average lifespan — usually around 15 years — is a great way to avoid outages and maintain maximum efficiency. We also suggest replacing your AC if you notice your energy bills creeping up during the warmer months or if you notice you’re calling for HVAC maintenance more regularly.

Even if you think you know what the issue is with your system, we recommend contacting a professional in your area to get an assessment and an estimate for repair or replacement. AC systems are complicated, and what might look like a simple issue could be a much more complicated one that demands a full replacement. The opposite is also true, so a local HVAC technician is your best bet for getting the most cost-effective solution to your AC issues.