Air Conditioning Replacement: When To Buy a New Unit

An air conditioning system is a great investment and, in Australia’s climate, is usually a necessity. However, even the best investments can fail eventually and, for air conditioning, it’s a question of picking the best time to replace. Luckily, there are some signs and guidelines to assist you in deciding when you need new air conditioning in Melbourne Australia.

Age

Modern systems might last for 15-20 years before needing replacement while older systems can have a useful life of 10-12 years. However, these figures are only a guide and can be influenced by several factors.

Unlike boilers, air conditioning units are often located outside and so may be open to extreme weather conditions so any protection you can give may extend their life. The best way to prolong a system’s life is to buy a top-quality unit and then ensure it’s properly and regularly maintained. This will not only ensure that filters and ducts are cleaned and failing components are replaced but also that future problems can be anticipated. Despite your best endeavours, however, replacement will inevitably be required eventually.

More Frequent Repairs

As systems get older, they are more likely to fail even if you buy the best available and maintain it properly. These breakdowns will not only be inconvenient, often occurring at a time when the heat is greatest but can be costly to repair.

For older systems, spares may be difficult to obtain, and this may eventually be impossible. This is particularly true of systems that use R-22 Freon as the refrigerant since this has been identified as damaging to the environment and is no longer produced.

Added to that, as repairs become more frequent, the cost of maintenance will be increasingly expensive and eventually, the system will be uneconomical to repair. At this point, replacement is the only sensible option.

Decreasing Efficiency

Older systems tend to work less efficiently than more modern ones. Apart from rattling and banging noises, and leaking refrigerant, you may notice that the air output isn’t as cold as it should be, isn’t circulated properly and that the temperature isn’t constant throughout the property. These failings can be caused by blockages or component failures that may get worse over time.

Reduced efficiency may also mean that the system has to work harder to achieve the same effect and you’ll notice this because your energy bills will increase. Occasional increases in running costs can often be explained by periods of excessively high temperatures or by changes in your habits. However, if bills are consistently higher, a new system will be needed and will offset the initial costs to some degree through lower energy usage, which will also be good for the environment.

Getting a new aircon installation in Melbourne needn’t be a shock if you watch the signs and prepare. And with the great systems and prices we have, plus dependable servicing and maintenance to keep them working at peak efficiency, it’s a terrific investment that will be repaid over time with reduced running costs and increased comfort. So, give us a call if your system is nearing the end of its useful life and we’ll replace it with something that’s truly effective.