Air Conditioning Replacement Archives - Semper Fi Heating & Cooling

Should You Replace Both the Inside and Outside Parts of Your Air Conditioner at the Same Time?

Written by Semper Fi on October 6, 2022. Posted in Air Conditioner Troubleshooting, Air Conditioning Repair, Air Conditioning Replacement. Leave a Comment

Summer is winding down, and you may be hoping that your old air conditioner will keep working until cooler weather arrives. Even if your air conditioner is not cooling your home the way it should, waiting for cooler weather might work out, or it might not. One thing you can be certain of is that your air conditioner problems are not going to fix themselves over the winter. Waiting and hoping is not a good strategy.

Call the experts at Semper Fi Heating & Cooling to assess the problem. A minor repair might be all it takes to keep your air conditioner working well into the future. Fail to make the minor repair, and your air conditioner might not make it through the rest of summer and fall. The technicians will do everything they can to keep your system working, but sometimes replacement is more practical than repair. You may need to decide if an expensive repair on a system with significantly limited life expectancy is a good decision.

Inside, Outside, or Both

When you make the decision to replace your air conditioner, you have a second decision to make. The outside unit of your air conditioner, also called the condenser unit, is the most likely to be the first major repair to cause you to consider a replacement. The inside unit needs service and occasional repairs but generally is less expensive. If the compressor goes out on your outside unit, the cost of replacement is substantial. Should you replace the outside unit only or both inside and outside units?

Why You Should Consider Replacing Both

Newer systems are more energy efficient. If you replace both units, you can expect that your new air conditioner will save you money through lower utility bills in the future.
You will have a multi-year warranty on your new air conditioner. Your system will still need preventative maintenance and possibly some minor repairs, but the expensive parts will be covered by the warranty.
Replacing both inside and outside units at once is significantly less expensive than replacing outside now and inside a few years in the future.
Older air conditioners often contain older refrigerants, the kind that harm the atmosphere when released and possibly cause refrigerant poisoning if they leak. Newer refrigerants are better and significantly less harmful to the environment.
If you replace both inside and outside units at the same time, all of the components of the system are sure to be compatible. If you replace the outside unit this year and the inside unit in five years, you may end up with a system that is not perfectly compatible. An incompatible system may not cool as well as it should and may cost more to operate.

The one or both decision is much like a decision you may have faced with your car. It is expensive to replace the engine, and if you do, you have a car with a great new engine but concern about other car parts breaking down. Replace both inside and outside, and you have a new car.

Call the experts at Semper Fi Heating & Cooling at 480-616-3636 and make an appointment to discuss the options for air conditioner replacement or repair.

Tired of Waking Up Tired?

Written by Semper Fi on July 26, 2022. Posted in Air Conditioning Replacement, Blog, Featured. Leave a Comment

Do you have trouble going to sleep and staying asleep? Do you feel tired when you wake up in the morning? Is poor sleep affecting your health? Your heating and cooling system could be preventing you from sleeping well.

Too Hot or Too Cold

Room temperature is a major factor in getting a good night’s sleep. A cooler room improves sleep quality and helps prevent waking up during the night. Your body temperature decreases at night, your metabolism slows, and you spend less energy while sleeping. A heating and cooling system that cannot adjust to the desired overnight temperature makes it difficult to get good and restful sleep.

Programmable or smart thermostats that automatically adjust to the desired nighttime temperature are a big help. We all remember nights when we are already in bed and do not want to get up to change the thermostat. Even with a proper thermostat setting, your system is not always able to get your bedroom to the desired temperature. Your HVAC system may need a tune-up, repair, or replacement to fix the problem.

An HVAC system that cannot deliver the proper temperature to your home is more than an inconvenience; it is a threat to the health of your family. Not enough sleep can influence your health, mood, and energy. Contact the technicians at Semper Fi Heating & Cooling if your HVAC system is not delivering the day or night room temperatures that you need.

Indoor Air Quality

Research has found that indoor air quality is as much as five times more polluted than outside air. Air filters are the No. 1 tool in the effort to keep home air clean. Use high-quality air filters and replace them often. You might want to also invest in an air purification system. Pollutants can be removed from the indoor air that you breathe. With cleaner air to breathe, you should feel better, be healthier, and be able to get a better night’s sleep.

System Noise

Your heating and cooling system will cycle off and on several times overnight. Loud noises from your system every time it starts and stops are likely to wake you up repeatedly. The good sleep that you need for good health is restful and uninterrupted sleep. Talk to the technicians at Semper Fi to find ways to reduce the noise level from your HVAC system.

Humidity Level

Humidity control is one of the often overlooked but important jobs of a heating and cooling system. Extreme dry air can cause dry skin, nosebleeds, and sore throats. Too much humidity allows germs to grow and cause respiratory problems. When you and your family are suffering from humidity-related illnesses, you will not be sleeping well.

Good sleep matters. A properly operating heating and cooling system will help you sleep better and wake up rested and full of energy. A properly tuned and properly operating system will help you sleep better. Get in touch with Semper Fi Heating & Cooling to get your HVAC system operating properly so you can get the sleep you need to wake up fresh and full of energy.

Seven Reason To Replace Rather Than Repair Your AC

Written by Semper Fi on July 12, 2022. Posted in Air Conditioning Repair, Air Conditioning Replacement, Featured. Leave a Comment

It’s not a secret that air conditioning systems that are 15 years old are approaching their maximum lifespan. If your system is over 20 years old, you should not expect it to last much longer. Newer systems can be expected to have a longer lifespan than the older systems they are replacing. With regular preventative maintenance, newer systems should continue to keep you cool and comfortable for decades. Older systems are also no match for newer systems in terms of operational efficiency.

Is your system approaching or beyond the time that it needs to be replaced? Here are seven indicators that replacement may be the best option for your air conditioning system:

Service History
Has your air conditioner required expensive repairs over the past few years? If it has, you should expect repair expense to continue to increase in the future. Consider replacing it entirely. Furnaces generally last longer than air conditioners, but seriously consider replacing your furnace at the same time. Newer furnaces are more efficient, and you will save on utility costs. If you are replacing both the furnace and air conditioner at the same time, you should expect a better price than replacing them separately.
Home Additions and Remodeling
Have you added living space or made major renovations since your heating and air conditioning system was installed? Perhaps you are planning to make a new addition. Your system may not be properly sized for your home. Even without major renovations, you may have rooms that are not heating and cooling as well as they should. If your system is not sized properly for your home and it is more than 15 years old, it is definitely time to consider a replacement.
Lack of Routine Maintenance
Has your system had regular maintenance over the years? If not, arrange for a service check soon. Like the vehicle you drive, your system needs regular maintenance to keep it operating properly. Unlike the vehicle you drive, your heating and cooling system cycles off and on day and night almost every day of the year. Small problems can lead to bigger issues, and those system issues lead to total system failure. You really don’t want your system going down on a 98-degree heat alert day.
Performance
Is your system heating and cooling as it should? Is your home comfortable on the hottest days? Is it producing cold air as it should? How about the on/off cycles? Are they occurring more frequently than usual? Have your utility bills gone up more than expected? Your system should be cooling as well as it did immediately after it was installed. If it isn’t performing as it should, then maintenance is needed. Easy service repairs may not be enough. It may be time for a replacement.
Moisture
In addition to keeping your home cool, regulating indoor humidity is an important function of an air conditioner. If indoor humidity is high when it is dry outside, you may have evaporator coil problems. That may require a simple repair, or it may be a serious problem that would be better solved with a replacement.
Noise and Ice
Check the outside unit. Is it visibly frozen? Is it making loud grinding noises? What about the sound you hear inside? Has it become louder than usual? If it is noisy or icy, it needs attention quickly.
Freon
Some older air conditioners use R-22 refrigerant, sometimes known as Freon. R-22 is no longer produced in the United States. It is still available in limited quantities, but it is very expensive. If your air conditioner requires R-22, it may be best to replace the entire system instead of paying for repairs and R-22 refrigerant.

Financing Your New Heating & Air Conditioning System

Written by Semper Fi on December 29, 2021. Posted in Air Conditioning Replacement, Blog, Featured. Leave a Comment

Home heating and air conditioning systems work hard; they work around the clock for most of the year in most locations. Over several years, systems become too expensive to repair; the best option may be to replace an aging system. Air conditioners tend to wear out before furnaces. Good ongoing maintenance can add years of life to both heating and air conditioning systems, but eventually, both need to be replaced.

Obstacles to Maintaining HVAC Systems

A major obstacle to the purchase and installation of a replacement system is the cost. New systems aren’t cheap, but there is also a cost to not replacing a system that is approaching its life expectancy. Repairs mount up over the years. Compressors in air conditioners and heating units in furnaces are like engines and transmissions in vehicles. They can be repaired and replaced at a high cost, but after getting them repaired you still have an older vehicle with a high operating cost at risk of breakdowns.

Fortunately, most heating and cooling companies offer discounts, rebates, and monthly payment financing plans. About half of utility costs in most homes goes toward the operation of the heating and cooling system. With a new energy-efficient system, you can usually save money on utilities every month to partially offset the monthly finance payments.

If the repair costs are starting to add up for your heating and air conditioning system, it is time to talk to Semper Fi about your options for repair, replacement, and financing a new AC or heating unit. Semper Fi can guide you through the options to help you choose the best brand and the best price with the most advantageous financing plan.

When to Replace Your Current HVAC Units

Home comfort is another big reason you may want to consider the replacement of your existing system. If there are rooms in your home that aren’t properly heated and cooled, installation of a properly-sized new system can address this.

Be wary of any company that gives you a price quote without visiting and calculating the size requirements.

Don’t assume that the size of your existing system is the proper size for a new system. You may be experiencing inconsistent home temperatures because your current system is too small, or you may be paying too much for utilities because your system is larger than needed.

Financing is never a one-size-fits-all experience. Look for a finance company with an affiliation with your heating and air conditioning company. Some of the features you should look for include:

If time allows, schedule your replacement when your provider is offering a promotional discount. Always check for the availability of rebates and other discount programs. Semper Fi can help you compare the cost of a new system with the energy savings that you can expect to receive over the life of your replacement system. In many cases, a major portion of the initial cost will be recovered by energy savings over the life of the new system.

Seven Steps to Finding the Best Heating & Air Conditioning Company

Written by Semper Fi on December 8, 2021. Posted in Air Conditioner Troubleshooting, Air Conditioning Replacement, Blog, Featured. Leave a Comment

Your HVAC system is one of the most expensive and important mechanical systems in your home. With proper care and preventive maintenance, your system will continue to operate at the performance level for which it was designed. If not properly maintained, your utility costs will increase, frequent breakdowns will occur, and all or part of the system will need to be replaced sooner than you expect. You can change the filter and adjust the thermostat, but professional help is needed to keep your system operating efficiently and not requiring early replacement. Finding an HVAC company that is reliable, totally professional, and there when you need it the most is not an easy task. Following are some tips to help you pick the right company for your home.

Check online reviews. Don’t just review the star rating; read some reviews to see what customers think of the company and the quality of the services provided. There may be a few less-than-five-star reviews; consider the entire group of reviews to get a feel for the values and quality of the company. Talk to your neighbors and friends to get a sense of the best companies.
Did they respond promptly and professionally to your service inquiry? Do they offer 24-hour emergency service? Do they have adequate staff to respond to your needs? The service technicians should be experienced, well trained, and certified.
Are they willing to come to your house and truly examine your system before providing a price quote for the needed repairs? Is the price quoted the price billed with no add-ons? Be wary of companies that give over-the-phone pricing without pre-inspection.
Do they offer alternatives to fix your system? Do they help you understand which alternative is the best option for you? A good service technician should be able to explain the problem without confusing you with technical jargon.
What guarantees or warranties do they offer? Do they offer a service agreement? How much does it cost and what does it cover?
Ask about the brands of replacement systems they sell. Ask about why they sell the brands they offer. Do they sell the least-expensive brands, the most-expensive brands, or the brands that offer the best quality for the money?
Do your own investigation. Do you commonly see their trucks in your neighborhood or on the highways? Drive by or visit their shop. Does it look clean and professional? Do they belong to trade associations? Visit their website. Does the website look clean and professional?

Most importantly, make sure the company truly cares about your business. True professionals care about your home because they care about you and your future business. They also want your good reviews and friend referrals. Most of all, true professionals care about you because they are proud of the quality of the work they provide. Pick a company that can assure you that you matter to them.

Call Semper Fi if you are looking for a heating and air conditioning company.