Most air conditioning units are outdated and waste a lot of electricity. Even the best AC units draw a lot of power, but older ones can use two or three times as much energy at full loads. You could save hundreds of dollars a year simply by replacing your old air conditioning unit.

However, you might not have to replace the entire AC. Champion AC offers air conditioning repair San Antonio services and also conducts full in home energy audits. While air conditioners fifteen years or older should be replaced, newer ones can have individual components swapped out to make them work like new.

Unfortunately, there are many problems with the newest batch of evaporator coils, which help to cool the air. These coils have a tendency to break within a year or two, and then they need to be replaced. Until a new coil model is developed and mass produced, homeowners might want to hold off on buying a completely new AC for a few years. If that’s not an option, last year’s models are a decent alternative.

Refrigerants leak and parts break down over the years. Even if you feel like your AC is performing admirably, it couldn’t hurt to have a technician come out to your house to test the unit for any faults. Since these problems decrease the AC’s efficiency, fixing them can save 10% or more on your utility bills. You’ll also want to check your AC’s warranty to see if maintenance is covered. You can often enjoy these services for free. (more…)