Those who regularly use air conditioning in their homes are used to the comfort their AC system provides.

What happens when you start noticing that your air conditioner isn’t working the way it used to and replacing the filter doesn’t help?
Is it something that professional maintenance can fix or could the air conditioning unit need to be replaced?This is a natural question for anyone, especially as the years go by. It’s difficult to know when the maintenance needs of these units are normal or if they are a telltale sign that it’s time to replace them. Here are some clues to help.

It’s worth mentioning, before we go into the details, that just like any other household appliance, air conditioners need regular cleaning and maintenance to keep them running for as long as possible. Learn more about preventive maintenance and filter cleaning for your air conditioner here.

Is it better to repair or replace?

If your air conditioner isn’t working as well as it used to and you’re thinking of repairing or replacing it, you need to ask yourself a few preliminary questions to determine the best course of action for your case. These are some points to keep in mind before making any decisions.

• First and foremost, especially for newer units, it is essential to check the terms and conditions of your air conditioner’s warranty.
  Keep this important information handy at all times and take advantage of the warranty for air conditioner maintenance and repairs. In the case of Hitachi air conditioning solutions, the warranty offered ensures many years of optimal functionality, however make sure you understand the warranty air conditioners that apply to you.
• Do the math. How much will your new air conditioner cost and how much will it cost to repair? Balance the costs of both options and make an informed decision which works best for you.
• Think about the environment (and your wallet).
  Repair, reuse and waste as little energy as possible when it comes to your air conditioning unit. Consider whether your system can continue to deliver efficient performance through maintenance and repair or if energy consumption has started to become such a problem, indicating it’s time to consider replacing it with a newer unit.
  Some government regulations require certain products to improve their energy efficiency, so your unit may still be working fine, but you’re interested in upgrading for better efficiency.
• Think about the advantages of buying new over repairing. What do the new systems have to offer? The benefits of new technology can outweigh the costs of repair and long-term operation. With Hitachi residential air conditioners, features and functions are constantly being innovated or reinvented to improve everything from comfort, efficiency, reliability and ease of maintenance.

Benefits of buying a new air conditioner

A new air conditioning unit can be a great investment for your home, and a Hitachi residential air conditioner is even more so. Here are some benefits of buying a new AC.

• Improved Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) with better features*. When you replace an old AC unit with a new one, one of the easily identifiable upgrades is better air quality in your home. The desire for improved IAQ has increased in recent years, which Hitachi ACs have responded to by incorporating new IAQ features into residential models. Older units may not only have particles accumulated from years of use, but may simply lack the modern features that newer air conditioners have. This is especially important for households with pets or family members with allergies, invest in an AC with upgraded anti-allergen filters and you’ll notice greatly improved IAQ in your home.
• More energy efficient*. New generation air conditioners have energy efficiency as a key quality, if not an expected quality. The need for more durable appliances is driving advances in technology that offer better functionality while consuming less energy. For example, Hitachi residential air conditioners exceed eco modes, and some models have sensors that detect human activity and reduce operation or shut off completely based on room occupancy. In some cases, you may find that the energy savings from a new energy-efficient air conditioner offsets the initial cost in a few years, find out how in our article on energy-efficient appliances and savings.
• More reliable and more efficient. If your older air conditioner struggles to reach the ideal temperature, a new air conditioner might meet your expectations. Modern air conditioners have better cooling power; especially if you’re replacing an AC that uses older varieties of refrigerant, as newer models use the much-improved R32 refrigerant, which has a lower global warming potential (GWP).

Signs that your air conditioning needs replacing

You’ve had your air conditioner serviced and given it the care it deserves, but how can you tell if your air conditioning unit is nearing the end of its life?
Here are some signs to look out for if you have an older system with an expired warranty:

• The unit works worse and worse.
  The first sign is a gradual deterioration in its efficiency. If you clearly remember that your air conditioner works much better when it was new than it does in its current condition, even after fresh repairs, chances are good that the unit will benefit from a replacement before it breaks down permanently.
• Repairs are becoming more and more frequent.
  If there are no other underlying causes for your AC unit needing repairs very often, such as improper maintenance, leaks, or external factors, and you find yourself spending more and more money on repairs, you can make the most of your funds by investing in a new air conditioner.
• Strange noises with no particular cause.
  You may already be familiar with the noise, it wasn’t there before, but now it won’t go away even after proper maintenance and repair. It may be loud banging, banging or grinding; they may occur recurrently or they may be present permanently, these annoying noises may just indicate that your air conditioner is ready for replacement.
• Energy consumption continues to rise.
  If you have noticed an increase in your electricity bills that can only be explained by AC usage, you know it’s not as efficient as it used to be. Replacing it with a newer, more energy-efficient model with energy-saving features will help you reduce your bill again.
• Changes in your home’s air quality
  Indoor air quality is crucial to your family’s health and safety, if you’ve noticed strange odors from your AC, the presence of mold or mildew inside your AC, or in extreme cases unexplained allergy outbreaks such as sneezing, coughing or rashes; your air conditioner could just be the culprit. If upon inspection, everything seems to point to AC and cleaning the filter and components doesn’t fix it, it’s time to start shopping for a new one.