When is the best time to replace your Air Conditioner?

When is the best time to replace your Air Conditioner?

We usually have a long relationship with our air conditioners, so it is important that we choose the right unit according to our requirements and take good care of it to ensure same performance with increase lifespan. One also needs to know when it is time to change the air conditioner. Typically, the off-season is the best time to make replacements for air conditioners. The fall and spring months before extreme hot or cold temperatures hit. The best time to change your air conditioner also depends on several factors, including the age of your current unit, its overall efficiency, and the climate in your area. To upkeep the air conditioning quality in your living or office space, it is important to replace the air conditioner at the right time, says Mr. Sanjay Sudhakaran, Managing Director, India & South Asia, Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Ltd.

  • Age of the Unit: The average age of your air conditioner is usually 10 to 15 years. Air conditioner typically depends on a few factors such as the age of the unit, its overall performance, and the severity of the climate it operates in. Like any other electronic, regular maintenance improves not just the performance of the AC unit but also its life. So analyzing how old your AC is and its usage one needs to determine if it is time to replace it. Air conditioners tend to lose efficiency as they age, leading to higher energy bills and more frequent repairs, so it is recommended to install the latest technology and optimal indoor air conditioning experience after every 7 years to reduce energy bills.
  • Mediocre Performance: When the air conditioner starts to demand frequent repairs and frequent breakdowns, it is time to change your air conditioner. If your air conditioner is struggling to keep your home cool or is making strange noises, it may be time to replace it. A poorly functioning air conditioning unit would not only result in bad performance – poor cooling but will also be a burden on electricity consumption. A well-running energy-efficient air conditioning unit is the way to go.
  • Moisture and leakage – While it is normal to have condensation around your air conditioner, excessive leakage means there is a larger problem. If you see large pools of water or notice a refrigerant leak, there might be a serious problem with your AC unit. Leaking of coolant can also pose a health risk to the user. An old or damaged air conditioner can be a safety hazard, posing a risk of fire or other dangerous conditions.
  • Climate conditions: If you live in a region with extreme temperatures or high humidity, you may need to replace your air conditioner more frequently. These conditions can put additional strain on the unit, leading to a shorter lifespan.
  • Foul smell and Strange Noises: If your air conditioner is struggling to keep your home cool or is making strange noises, a smokey or burning smell, it may be time to replace it. An air conditioner that isn’t performing up to par is often an indicator of some issue.
  • High Energy Bills: If your energy bills are overly high, it could have something to do with your air conditioner that is simply working too hard to get the job done. Replacing an old air conditioner with a new, energy-efficient model can help lower your energy bills and reduce the cost of cooling your home. This can be especially important during the summer months when energy usage and costs tend to be higher.

Overall, replacing your air conditioner during the summer months can provide improved comfort, safety, and cost savings. Your air conditioner should maintain a comfortable indoor environment and good air quality. When you are choosing, a new air conditioner apart from looking for the latest technology – a feature-loaded unit it is advisable to choose one, which is energy efficient and eco-friendly.

Common Air Conditioner Problems and How to Fix Them | Hitachi Cooling & Heating India

Common Air Conditioner Problems and How to Fix Them | Hitachi Cooling & Heating India

The seasons have changed, signaling the arrival of cooler or warmer temperatures and a period of unpredictable weather.

In regions that experience defined seasons, there can be months during which the air conditioner is not in use and so it is recommended that you check that it is functioning properly and as expected. While you can’t control if there is sun, rain, or snow, there is one thing that you can do to maintain your indoor comfort during the upcoming season. Check for common air conditioner problems.

In this article we look atthe most common air conditioner problems, how to check for them, and what action needs to be taken to fix them. We’ll take a look at some issues require professional assistance as well as those problems that can be solved by yourself.

Issues That Necessitate the Services Of A Professional

Checking and cleaning the outdoor unit (ODU)

For some, checking the outdoor unit can simply require them to go to their garden or driveway and double-check that there is no plant matter or debris covering or blocking the unit. However, if you are living in an apartment or high-rise building, it is possible that your ODU is on a balcony, on the rooftop, or even on wall brackets. In these cases, it is essential that you call a professional to come and check it out.

One of the signs that your ODU needs cleaning is inadequate cooling inside the home. Just like indoor unit filters, ODUs can suffer from a buildup of dust, dirt, and debris, and this can impact the temperature that you want to achieve indoors. If your ODU is on ground level and accessible, this is something that you can investigate yourself and see just how dirty the system is. If the cause of the problem is indeed buildup around the unit’s casing, then you can clean it yourself. But if your ODU is attached to the side of the building, then it is time to call in the professionals and let them handle it.

Waterdripping from Indoor Unit

If your AC unit is leaking, it’s most likely just water. Water dripping is generally a symptom of the drain pipeline becoming blocked with the dust and dirt that flows out of the IDU with the condensation during operation. This can lead to mould and fungus growing, and subsequently catching other particles passing through the pipeline. As this happens, the condensation can’t drain and leads to droplets building up and falling from the IDU.

This is generally easy to identify on wall-mounted units as visible water droplets will gather on the casing. There are other ways to tell if the unit is leaking too. This not only causes water to leak from the unit, but it can also cause gases and bad odours to be released into your home, reducing comfort.

A dirty filter could also be the culprit. Why? Because if the air can’t pass through the unit effectively, this means that the evaporator coil isn’t receiving warm air and it freezes. When any moisture in the air hits the evaporator coil, this also freezes, creating ice crystals within the unit, which later melts and can eventually leak out of the IDU.

The latter problem can be avoided by adhering to decent filter maintenance but when your IDU is producing a leak, our recommendation is to contact our technical service team before attempting to fix it yourself.

 How Can Hitachi Cooling & Heating India Assist?

On the website, you can send an email via the Contact Us section, so that your questions are answered. You may also contact Hitachi & Cooling India Customer Care on Phone No: +91-79-7141-4848, +91-75-6788-4848.

A dedicated team and partners will guide you through the steps that need to be taken to correct any issues.