When the Jacksonville summer is at its hottest, it’s nice to know that your home is protected against the brunt of the season with reliable and efficient air conditioning.

At United Air Temp, we know having the right system for your needs is just as important as having a working system at all. Making the right choice when it’s time for repairs or replacement is vital to your long-term comfort and costs.

How Jacksonville’s Heat Impacts Your AC Performance

Intense heat and high humidity can damage your air conditioner, pushing it to or beyond its limits and potentially causing major problems.

Most ACs are meant to provide about 20 degrees of difference between the air outside and your home; once temperatures approach or exceed 100 degrees, you need to start watching for problems.

Good insulation, airflow, and high-efficiency systems can all improve this situation, but they can’t eliminate the issue completely, so it’s important to pay close attention to your system after a string of extremely hot days.

Signs Your Air Conditioner May Need Replacement

If your system is getting older or has developed a problem, it’s important to consider whether it’s time for an AC replacement. Consider if these signs sound familiar before you invest in repairs or ignore the situation:

• Frequent repairs: Constant repairs are a sign of a system past its best days. As each part wears down, it makes other parts work harder, bringing the entire unit closer to the end.
• Costly repairs: If a repair will cost a substantial amount, it’s always worth comparing that investment to an investment in a new system.
• Advanced system age: Systems that are 10 years old are worth considering replacing, and systems past 15 years should almost certainly be replaced if they develop any issues.
• Outdated refrigerant: It will become harder and more expensive to refill refrigerant on systems using refrigerants that are now out of production, a serious concern when combined with the effect extreme temperatures can have on refrigerant levels.
• Poor system efficiency: If your bills are too high due to poor system efficiency or worn-out parts, new systems can help by improving their efficiency.

Repair vs. Replacement: What’s the Best Choice?

Repairing your air conditioner is ideal when possible, as it will allow your air conditioner many more years of effective, efficient service. You can choose repair if:

• You have a newer system.
• Your system has minor damage.
• Your system has a one-off issue.
• Your system is still providing effective cooling.

When deciding between repair and replacement, always consider not just what you’re spending now but also how much you’ll be spending on your system over the next few years.

Energy Efficiency: Save Money With a New AC

New air conditioners are substantially more efficient than units from even a decade ago. A quick comparison of the SEER rating of your current AC and the SEER rating of a similar modern unit will quickly reveal the difference in energy consumption over the course of the cooling season.

Even if you’ve kept up with routine AC maintenance, the gap in technology means that an upgrade will almost always mean an improvement in energy costs. Of course, maintenance and upgrades aren’t the only way to save on your energy costs. You can also:

• Upgrade to a smart thermostat.
• Use window coverings to prevent heat gain.
• Turn on ceiling fans.
• Turn down your AC at night.

Choosing the Right Air Conditioner for Your Home

Keeping your home affordably comfortable starts with getting the right air conditioner for your cooling needs. To make that decision, you’ll want to consider a few different factors — or let a trained professional do it for you. Choose your new cooling system based on:

• AC size, given your home’s square footage and layout
• Heating needs and whether you might want a heat pump instead of a traditional AC 
• SEER rating
• HVAC rebates and other savings
• Manufacturer warranties and guarantees

Explore Your Options for a New AC With UAT 

If it’s time to upgrade your home’s cooling for reliability, power, or performance, the expert technicians at United Air Temp would be happy to help you find the ideal system for your needs.

We’re committed to finding our customers the right upgrade for long-term comfort and value and installing it properly so it won’t fail ahead of schedule or fall short of expectations.

Request a free quote for AC replacement in the Jacksonville area by contacting United Air Temp today.