– Do I need to replace my air conditioner?

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 just does not perform the same way as before and replacing the filter doesn’t cut it? Is it something that professional maintenance can solve or could it be that the air conditioning unit needs to be replaced? This is a natural question for anyone, especially as the years tick by. It is difficult to know when these appliance’s maintenance needs are normal or they are a telling sign that it’s time to replace. Here you have some clues that will help.

It is worth mentioning, before we go in detail, that as with any other home appliance, air conditioners need regular cleaning and maintenance to keep them running as expected for as long as possible. Learn more about preventive maintenance and filter cleaning for your air conditioner, here.

Also, the Hitachi technical support team are available to help you with your questions maintenance, repairs, and your Hitachi AC. Use the Contact Us section on our website to do so. 

Is it Better to Repair or to Replace?

If your air conditioner does not perform as well as before, and you are considering repairing or replacing it, you need to ask yourself some preliminary questions to determine which is the best course of action for your case. These are some points to keep in mind before taking any decisions.

• First of all, especially for newer units, it is fundamental to check your AC’s warranty. Keep this important information handy at all times, and take advantage of the warranty for your AC’s 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 conditioners that apply to you.
• Do the maths. How much is the new air conditioner going to cost and how much are repairs costing you? Balance out the cost of both options and make an informed decision that works best for you.
• Think about the environment (and your wallet). Repair, reuse, and waste as little energy as possible, including your AC unit. Consider whether your AC can continue offering efficient performance via maintenance and repairs, or if energy consumption has become an issue that indicates it is best to weigh up the options of replacing it with a newer unit. Some government regulations require certain products to improve their energy efficiency, so it might even be that your unit is still functioning well but you are interested in upgrading for better efficiency.
• Think about the advantages of buying new in contrast to repairing. What do new systems have to offer? The benefits of new tech may outweigh the cost of repairs and operation in the long run. With Hitachi residential air conditioners, features and functions are constantly innovated or reinvented to improve everything from comfort, efficiency, reliability, and ease of maintenance.

Benefits of Buying a New Air Conditioner

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

• Improved Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) with better features*. When replacing an old AC unit for a new one, one of the easily identifiable upgrades is better air quality in your home. The desire for improved IAQ has risen in recent years, something which Hitachi ACs have responded to, incorporating new IAQ features into residential models. Older units may not only have particle build-up from the years of use but may simply not have the modern features new air conditioners have. This is especially important for households with pets or family members with allergies, invest in an AC with enhanced anti-allergen filters and you’ll notice much improved IAQ in your home.
• More energy efficient*. New generation air conditioners have energy efficiency as a key quality, if not as an expected quality. The need for more sustainable appliances drives advances in tech that offer better functionality while consuming less energy. For example, Hitachi residential air conditioners go beyond eco modes, and some models feature sensors that detect human activity and reduce operation or switch off completely depending on room occupancy. In some cases, you may find that the energy savings from a new efficient air conditioner make up for their initial cost in a few years, find out how in our article about energy efficient appliances and savings.
• More reliable and effective. If your older AC unit struggled to get to your ideal temperature, a new air conditioner may well fulfill your expectations. Modern air conditioners have better cooling power; especially if you are replacing an AC that uses older varieties of refrigerant fluid, as new models use the much improved R32 refrigerant, which has a lower global warming potential (GWP).

Signs that your Air Conditioner Needs Replacing

You’ve repaired your AC and given it the care deserved but how do you tell if the air conditioning unit is coming close to the end of its working life? Here are some signs to look out for if you have an older AC with its warranty expired: 

• The unit performs increasingly worse. The first sign is a gradual deterioration of its effectiveness. If you can distinctly remember your air conditioner working much better when it was new than in its current condition even after fresh repairs, there is a good chance that the unit will benefit from a replacement before it breaks down for good.
• Repairs are becoming more frequent. If there are no other underlying causes for the AC unit to need repairs very often, such as incorrect maintenance, leakage, or external factors, and you find yourself spending more and more money on repairs, you may as well make the most of your funds by investing in a new air conditioner.
• Strange noises without a specific cause. You may already know the noise well, it was not present before, but now it won’t go away even after proper maintenance and repair. It can be loud whirring, banging or grinding; they can appear recurrently or be present permanently, these annoying noises may just indicate that your air conditioner is ready to be replaced.
• Energy consumption keeps increasing. If you have noticed an increase in your electricity bills that can only be explained due to the AC use, you know it is not as efficient as it used to be. Replacing it for a newer and more energy-efficient unit with energy-saving features will help you reduce that bill again.
• Changes in your home’s air quality. Indoor air quality is crucial for the health and safety of your family, if you have noticed odd smells from your AC, the presence of mold or mildew inside your AC, or, in extreme cases, unexplained allergy flare-ups, such as sneezing, coughing or skin rashes; your air conditioner might just be the culprit. If after inspection, everything seems to point to the AC and filter and component cleaning isn’t solving it, it’s time to start shopping for a new one.

What to Know Before you Replace your AC

Once you have ascertained that your air conditioner needs a replacement, you need to decide on a new unit. What are the points to take into account before making the choice? Of course, Apart from cost and installation, which depend on your personal budget, here are some considerations to help in your decision:

• Energy efficiency. As we have previously mentioned, this should be one of the main factors when looking for a new air conditioner as it will have the greatest impact on savings. Check the energy efficiency label on the appliance; for example, energy labels in the European Union are color-coded from green to red to make it easier to choose a more efficient appliance. But remember that different countries have different energy rating indicators, learn more about these systems here.
• Room Size vs. Unit capacity. Air conditioners come in a variety of sizes, measured in tons. A higher tonnage indicates that the AC has the capacity of cooling a larger space. Thus, depending on the size of the space and the cooling and heating requirements, the AC’s tonnage should match accordingly. If not matched properly, the new AC may waste too much energy if overestimated or not cool your house efficiently if underestimated. Plus, other factors like which way the room faces, whether it’s an attic space and more impact the capacity needs. When selecting your Hitachi residential AC, this is a conversation that you will have with the official partner or installer.
• Renovations in your home. If you plan on making considerable changes in your home through renovations, consider upgrading your air conditioning system. For example, you may look into a ducted air conditioning system or even a multi-split system for more rooms in the house, especially if you’re expanding your living space. Take the renovation as an opportunity to make changes to your air conditioning system that would otherwise be more difficult to make.

Can I partially replace my system, or does it need to be fully replaced?

When replacing an air conditioning system, can any of its components be reused in the new installation? Normally, when replacing a ductless air conditioning unit, it will have to be fully replaced. Especially for units that use the older varieties of refrigerants. Currently, air conditioners that use R22 refrigerants are no longer manufactured, and newer air conditioners using R32 have different refrigerant piping requirements.

In the case of ducted air conditioning systems, the installer will need to revise the ducting before determining whether it needs to be replaced or not. In some cases, if the air ducts are in good condition and free of buildup of dust, debris and anything that could hinder performance, they can potentially be kept; but in other cases, they may have to be replaced. For this reason, it is extremely beneficial to contact a trusted and trained installer to get an accurate and satisfactory installation of the new air conditioning system.

Find your Ideal AC Replacement

As you can see whether you decide to replace your unrepairable air conditioner or upgrade your old unit for a new, modern one, there are some points to consider to make the optimal choice. Find your perfect match from the Hitachi Residential Air Conditioning range, to create an efficient and smart environment of comfort at home.

As inspiration, discover the new Hitachi residential air conditioner airHome, here, and why it’s known as the air conditioner for people who don’t want to think about AC.

Our team of experts can help you make the choice easier, let us know your requirements and learn more about the Hitachi Air Conditioning solutions we have to offer here.

*Features and functions available may differ according to each region