5 Reasons You Should Consider Replacing Your AC Unit in the Fall

Frank Landwehr
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fall ac unit replacement

Originally published on October 29, 2014

Fall has arrived and you are getting ready to turn down your AC in preparation for the oncoming cold weather. Before you forget about your AC unit for the rest of the year, you may want to consider getting an inspection and possibly installing a new HVAC system during the cool autumn months. Many homeowners don’t realize that fall is one of the best times to replace air conditioning units, saving them time, money, and hassle.

Here are 5 reasons to replace your AC unit in the fall:

  1. Money and Energy Savings

If you replace your HVAC system in the fall, you allow yourself plenty of time to decide the best financial route to take. Should you pay upfront, or cover the new system under a home equity loan and save on financing costs? It is also a good time to decide what kind of upgrades to get so that you save costs in the long run. For instance, it might be time to consider a high-efficiency system that will provide you with energy savings.

During the summer months, HVAC prices typically peak due to an increase in repair and maintenance needs. With a decreased demand for AC sales in the fall, you can hunt for price drops and the best deals.

  1. Plenty of Time for Decision-Making

You likely won’t take too much time for deliberation if you replace your AC unit during the heat of summer. Your top priority will be getting your house back to comfortable temperatures as soon as possible. With cooler, more temperate weather, you have more time to weigh your purchasing options and discuss with a contractor which system will work best for you.

Improvements in the HVAC field have come a long way in comfort levels and energy cost reductions. Without summer heat forcing you to make a quick choice, you can examine each option at your leisure.

  1. Avoid Heat Pump Problems

A large portion of U.S. households today use heat pumps as their primary source of both heating and cooling. If your system doubles as both an air conditioner and heat pump, you will want to get it inspected in the fall before cold winter months hit and you are caught with inefficient heating.

Sometimes, heating issues are harder to catch than AC problems. An underperforming heat pump may sound like it is working but in reality, is not heating up your house efficiently and is racking up your bill costs. Replacing your system during the off-season allows you to focus on the issue without worrying about the weather.

  1. Better Service

During the fall season, there is less demand for HVAC technicians. This means that they will have more time and availability to focus on your specific HVAC needs. It is easier to schedule inspections and replacements when your contractor is not heavily booked.

  1. Less Installation Delays

There are sometimes delays in system installation despite all efforts to the contrary, especially during the busy summer season. Since fall has less demand, it is less prone to installation delays, and you might be able to get your unit in place right away. However, if there does happen to be a delay, the mild temperatures outside will ensure that you and your family are comfortable while waiting for the new air conditioner.

If your AC system is getting older or has been giving you issues, now may be the best time to schedule a technician to come out and take a look. Take advantage of the fall season to do some research and determine the best options for your home’s HVAC needs.

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12 thoughts on “5 Reasons You Should Consider Replacing Your AC Unit in the Fall”

  7. Hi I have just had a new house built and the contractor said not to use the ac and it won’t be charged due to the weather it is cold outside now with hi s in the 60 He said something about it need to hot out to get the system run at maximum efficiency. Please explain

    Reply ↓

    • Since the AC was not able to be charged properly, they are suggesting not using it to protect the AC from potentially failing due to lack of refrigerant. Once the ambient temperature is warmer outside (above 70), it is much easier to get the refrigerant charge correct. This ensures the system will operate properly and provide the cooling comfort it was designed for.

      Reply ↓

  8. Great tips you have shared here, and lots of great information as well. My Arizona company specializes in HVAC maintenance and repairs in Mesa

    Reply ↓

  9. Five good reasons to keep your old AC/ HEAT PUMP system.
    1. New system will fail sooner than you think. They are all equal junk. ( There IS no best brand, I don’t care what goes into my house as long as it’s not a brand that’s going to charge my AC contractor so much for coils and other parts he’s embarrassed to tell me the repair price.)
    2. If it has an ECM motor, it is expensive to replace once out of warranty. There goes any saving you had enjoyed with the ECM motor, but you still have the memories of the COMFORT it hopefully helped to provide. If you have a Comfort System it is because of your contractors skill and attention to detail.
    3. The inside coil will leak. Period. Coat it? Still fail, more than one vendors product. ( Don’t ask again, I told you all brands are junk.)
    Surprisingly the best coating comes out of a can, applied to a properly prepared coil. That, combined with injectable leak stop product will put that leak off for a good while, but evaporator will leak and if you have a big brand name that coil will cost you dearly.
    4. If your electric bills are not high and the old equipment’s cabinets are in good shape and the air handler interior is not beyond cleaning, put that money into at least 2 UV lights to clean coil and keep it clean. May have to protect wires and drain pan.
    Put that money into a company that is proficient with blower door, duct blaster AND infrared scan/ camera, have them do an ACCURATE load calculation with you in your home and identify the low hanging fruit. It may not be windows and doors. Compare size of equipment your home currently requires with what you have. Too big huh.
    Have him leave an as is copy with a future size based on what improvements you will for certain do. And remember that, accurately sized, already has a safety oversized figured into the Manual J performed. DON’T be tempted to make it bigger. We like everything BIG, big boat, house, truck. NOT A/C.
    Make sure this company is paid by and works for you, that they don’t sell equipment or install equipment . You want to have them come back in the future when you do buy equipment, hopefully after the manufacturers equipment is made better and test your new system that it is delivering full capacity and rated SEER. Tell that up front to the installing contractor, a good one won’t care and will be interested in the results and know he will make better money because his suggestions are already backed up. Hold back 20% until system passes test. Put at least 50% down and pay the balance promptly. You just make that contractor happy to come to your home, he does not have to beg.
    5. Go on an over seas vacation, give it to charity, go take some classes, for if you buy a new system it will most likely be wasted money.
    Anger, inconvenience and despair will be your fate. If you don’t plan, your system you will hate.

    Reply ↓

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