It’s Not Too Late to Replace Your AC in Northern Virginia!

September is coming to a close, which means that fall is just getting started. Many of us in Northern Virginia are pulling our fall and winter clothes out of storage, helping our kids with homework, and dreading the upcoming weekends of leaf-raking that fall will require. However, we’ve still been experiencing some summer weather in the area, with quite a few humid, sunny days. Those of us who long for the chilly days of fall will hopefully get some relief soon, but for now, the weather outside is still toasty. And if your AC is malfunctioning or broken, you’re in for a long and sweaty wait.

There’s no reason to suffer until the weather gets cooler! You should have your AC inspected and/or replaced as soon as possible to remain comfortable during the last month before fall and on the occasional hot autumn day.

Unsure if your AC needs to be replaced? Unless your AC is simply not blowing any air whatsoever and your house feels like a sauna, you might not always be sure that something’s wrong with your AC. Here are a few signs (aside from uncomfortable indoor temperatures) that you need to repair or replace your AC before fall really gets started:

• You’ve had your AC for awhile: An older AC unit is bound to have more operating problems than a newer model. It’s often cheaper in the long run to purchase a replacement instead of trying to repair an old AC unit. If your unit has been around for about 15 years or later, it’s probably a good time to retire it and get a new one.
• You have an unusual energy bill: If your latest energy bill seemed a little off, either significantly higher or lower than usual, it could be a sign that your AC isn’t working properly. A high bill could indicate that your AC isn’t staying in your home and is escaping outside, using more AC power than necessary. A low bill (most likely in addition to a hotter house) indicates your AC isn’t working at full power.
• Your unit makes a lot of noise: AC units are designed to operate quietly, so when your AC starts talking to you, you should pay attention. Noises to listen for are loud screeching, clicking, thumping, or rattling. These sounds usually indicate some piece of the unit’s internal equipment isn’t working properly, which compromises not only your comfort but your unit’s energy efficiency.