When it starts to get hot outside, you want to make sure that you have a working air conditioning system to keep you and your family cool and comfortable inside. The hotter it is outside, the more you will use your AC. This can pose a problem. Frequent use of an AC system can lead to breakdown and other annoying issues. If this happens to your system, you’ll need to decide whether to have your unit repaired or replaced. We’ve used our years of experience with many kinds of AC systems to put together this handy guide to help you decide whether you need an AC replacement or simply a repair. Call for 24/7 Emergency Service We will respond to submitted requests during normal business hours Mon-Fri 8am - 4:30pm How can we help? Covered on this page How can you tell if you need an AC replacement? How can you tell if you just need a repair or tune-up? How long can units last if they are properly maintained and tuned up? What if they aren't? If you find yourself having to regularly schedule repairs for your unit, it might be time to look into having your unit replaced.

Think of it this way, the time and money spent on repairs might more wisely be spent on having a new machine that works the way it should. national ac unitsOur experts can also assist you in this decision making process if you would like a second opinion.house ac heater not working Odd or Unusual Noisescost to service ac unit A good sign it’s time to think about a new unit is if you hear strange noises coming out of your machine. A repair might also be sufficient. The decision to repair or replace should be based on factors like the age of your unit and the severity of the damage to your unit. In general, the louder the noise, the worse the problem. If strange sounds coming from your AC system have you concerned, our experts are here to help you when you need it.

Every good homeowner should keep close tabs on their energy bills. If you notice that turning on your AC leads to a spike in energy costs, it could be a sign that your AC has a major problem. While some homeowners might expect an increase in their bill during summer AC usage, a giant spike is not normal. It may mean that your AC isn’t running as efficiently as it should be. This adds to your energy costs. If this is your situation, you’ll want to have someone look at your machine and conduct a thorough inspection. Your machine may only need a deep cleaning. On the other hand, it may be time for a new unit. The Age of Your AC One way to decide on whether to repair or replace your unit is to consider the age of your unit. According to the EPA and the US Department of Energy, air conditioning systems that are older than 10 years should be replaced. The reason for this is that newer AC systems will be compliant with the ENERGY STAR program. As a result, they will be much more energy efficient and save you money over the long term.

AC Blows Air Unevenly If your AC can’t maintain a steady temperature, it probably needs to be replaced. The cost to repair this kind of problem is probably more than the AC system is worth. It will make more financial sense to upgrade to a newer machine.What if they aren’t? Air conditioners for your home are a significant expense. Fortunately, with proper maintenance an AC machine can last for many years. In general, you can expect your unit to last 12 to 15 years with regular inspections and cleaning. AC units that are not properly maintained are not likely to last that long. Get an HVAC expert to youQ: How often should I have my furnace or air conditioner serviced? A: You should have your furnace or air conditioner serviced one a year as almost all manufacturers require annual maintenance in order to honor the factory warranty. Q: How long does a tune-up take? A: Tune-ups usually take about 1 hour. Q: How long does an in-home estimate for new equipment take?

A: An assessment of your home’s equipment needs will take our Comfort Advisors about 90 minutes. Q: What brands of equipment do you carry? A: Lennox, Aire Flo, Armstrong, Carrier, Venmar, Healthy Climate, Aprilaire, Dynamic, Triangle Tube, Crown Q: Do you service and replace boilers? A: Yes, we repair, install, replace, and carry boilers. Q: How long does a furnace and A/C system last? A: The average life span of a Minnesota furnace and AC unit is 15-20 years, though other locations may have a different longevity. Q: How often should I change my furnace filter? A: If your furnace filer is 1-inch, it should be changed monthly. A 4-to-5 inch filter should be changed every 3-4 months. You can find a high efficiency filter that is able to last up to 12 months. A: Yes, we employ NATE-certified technicians. Q: How long have you been in business? A: Sedgwick has been in business since 1958 – that’s nearly 60 years. Q: Do you have 24-hour service?

A: Our entire service department can provide emergency service to you year-round, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Q: Do you sell parts? A: Yes, our office in Mendota Heights has a fully stocked parts department. Q: How much expertise do your technicians have? A: Our technicians are constantly training and learning about the most advanced technology in the industry. Many of our technicians have their master’s licenses.Step 1: Cutting out the partsShow All ItemsOk ok ok, before you say it, I know this is a little bit hillbilly, but at the end of the day this sucker works and I am all the more thankful for it in this Texas heat. And for the ladies reading this, this is a great man present. My husband works on cars in his spare time and my dad practically lives in his garage; I made them both one for Christmas last year and they loved it and both use the crap out of it. The air coming out of this thing is around 58-62 degrees and can last for around 5 hours. The concept is you fill the ice chest full of ice (I use frozen milk jugs) then turn the fan on and cold air blows out the top exhaust pipes.

….: D It isn’t the prettiest thing in the world, but when I’m sweating my butt off and the cold air hits me, I don’t seem to care anymore! Here are the steps if you want to make one. Note: 5 hours is the time span if you use a big block of ice like a milk jug. If you use loose ice, then it only last about 2-3 hours. The bigger you can get your blocks of ice, the longer it will last. Another alternative to milk jugs is using the inside bladder to box wine.  <–Good excuse to drink some wine this weekend. 1) I went to Goodwill and found a couple of coolers for around $5 a piece. If you plan to use regular ice instead of freezing water in milk jugs, then make sure you buy one with a drain plug. 2) I found the fan at Home Depot for $15 as well as the PVC parts. Incase you aren’t familiar with the different joints, these are made of 2″ male adapters and 2″ 90 degree street elbows. 3) Take the ice chest and figure out where you want the exhaust pipes to go.

Then take the male adapter and trace it on the lid so you know where to cut. Tip: If you are using 2″ PVC then make at least 5 pipes. I first made mine with only 3 and unless you were right up close to it, you couldn’t feel the air coming out. That makes the thing pretty pointless, so make at least 5 unless you are using larger pipes. Another option would be to use a stronger fan, but then you are looking at spending closer to $60 on the fan alone. 4) Now take the fan and trace it on the backside of the ice chest. 5) To cut out all the holes I first took a drill and made a hole in the center of all the circles, then used a jigsaw to make all the cuts. At this point you should have the smaller holes on the lid for the pipes and the large hole in the back for the fan. After making each cut, you can take the item (either the fan or the PVC) and make sure they fit. If not, just keep whittling away material until they do. If you end up cutting the hole a little too big, that’s ok because we fill it in the next step anyways.

6) I placed each PVC pipe in it’s place then used some caulk to fill in the base. 7) Wait until it’s dry, then lay the chest on it’s face and caulk in the fan. Since I was going to spray paint mine, I wasn’t worry about making it pretty. 8) I grabbed a can of $1 black spray paint, and gave everything a good coat. (I used a spare piece of cardboard to not get any on the fan) 9) The last thing I did was take the base off the fan since it wasn’t going to be needed. I used a box blade to pop off the side caps, then a screw driver to take out the center bolt holding it together.Now I have a portable AC unit I can use when I’m working out in the shop. It is not ideal for all situations but I can see it being useful if you have an outlet near by. With 5 pipes I can stand about 5 feet away and feel the air hitting me. The next one I am going to make will be with a 12 volt fan that can be ran off a 12 volt battery, that way I can take it camping and sleep comfortably without needing an outlet to power it.