In a perfect world, the answer would be “never.” Never, because you would have an AC system that just ran and ran and ran, and took good care of itself along the way.

So much for that perfect world scenario.

Still, as imperfect as they might be, today’s better made and well maintained air conditioning systems have an estimated shelf life of 15-20 years. Can yours last even longer than that? Sure it can, but if you live in your house long enough, sooner or later you’re going to have to replace it.

Some people do that proactively by keeping a close watch on the age of the system and rising energy costs. Because even if you do have your system properly serviced every year, it’s not going to give you the same energy efficiencies in year 12, for example, as it did in the early goings.

But let’s say you want a better, more concrete reason to replace yours. Something that says “trouble is brewing, and I may not be much longer for this earth.” Or symptoms to that effect. Well, if you’re a sign watcher, then here’s what to watch out for besides age and rising energy costs:

• Frequent and increasingly more costly repairs. What you pay $200 to have your system repaired if you had reason to believe it would run “just fine” after that? Of course you would. But how about $500, $1,000, or even $1,500? In other words, what’s the point when you say “enough is enough,” and finally decide your money is better spent on a replacement AC system?

• Noisy operation. Remember the good ol’ days when your current system was first installed, and how quietly it operated (assuming it was properly installed)? Well, the older a system gets, the more prone it becomes make unpleasant and persistent noises, like popping, banging, whirring, and the like. Noisy operation doesn’t necessarily indicate the need for a new system, but it is something you want to get checked out.

• Hot and cold spots throughout your home. A well-designed AC system should provide equal amounts of cool air from one room to the next. If that how it used to be, but no longer is, then you have another reason to have the cause thoroughly investigated.

• You want to contribute to a cleaner environment. Older AC systems use Freon as a refrigerant, while newer systems are equipped with the more eco-friendly r-410A which is not ozone depleting. Plus, the longer you hang onto your older system, the more expensive Freon charges are going to become.

If you’re AC system is coughing and wheezing up a storm, and no longer at peak efficiency, then it’s time to call the home comfort specialists at Boden so we can thoroughly inspect it and then give you our best recommendation: repair or replace. Contact us today for prompt, friendly, and dependable service.