Need To Have A New AC Installed?
Recent studies have found that climate change has led to longer and hotter summers, with shorter and warmer winters. So Birmingham residents need a reliable AC unit.
With One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating, we can help you find the right AC unit and complete AC installation on a new model before the weather turns.
Find out why we have the top Air Conditioning service in the area!
When to Replace or Repair an Air Conditioner in Birmingham: 4 Top Signs
Most air conditioning units will last an average of 12 years but this is based on how well you maintain it and whether you get regular air conditioner repairs when something starts to go wrong.
Thankfully, your air conditioner will give you signs that you might need Birmingham, AL AC installation on a new model, beyond just age.
Age
Age is of course the biggest indicator that you need to replace your air conditioner with a new AC installation from our license technicians rather than make a repair.
Energy Star recommends replacing your air conditioner every ten years before things break down completely.
So, if you just bought a new home in Birmingham, ask the previous owner when the last air conditioner was installed and whether or not they did maintenance at any point. It’s not uncommon for homeowners to neglect AC maintenance and only call technicians when something goes wrong and if that’s the case in your home, you might need to consider a replacement and new air conditioner installation sooner rather than later.
Condition
No matter the age, you can look at the condition of your current air conditioner and get a feel for how degraded it might be. For example, if you look at the AC unit under your porch and it is buried halfway up with debris and fallen leaves, surrounded by broken pieces of old garden pots and garbage, chances are it hasn’t been maintained and it’s not in great condition.
You can save yourself significantly on energy bills as summers continue to increase by investing in a new Birmingham, AL AC installation.
Bills
Take some time to monitor your energy bills. If you have noticed your energy bills continue to rise but you aren’t using your air conditioner with increased frequency, it might be a sign that your unit is breaking down and needs to be replaced.
In most cases, if you multiply the cost of a given air conditioner repair by the age of the unit and it’s more than $5,000, it’s going to be a better investment for you long-term to have a new air conditioner installed.
Repairs
Finally, if you are regularly calling our team or someone else to conduct repairs, that’s an indicator that your air conditioner is on its last legs and instead of trying to patch it regularly with minor repairs or even major repairs, talk to our team about installing a new air conditioner.
Choosing the Right AC System for Your Birmingham Home
At Service Minds One Hour, our local technicians in Birmingham, AL can help install several types of air conditioners. If you aren’t sure which type of air conditioner you need or want, we can discuss the pros and cons of several options and then schedule your installation once you’ve made a decision.
Central Air Conditioners
The most common is called central AC. Central air conditioners usually have a furnace and an air conditioner or a furnace and a heat pump. They can also have an air handler and a heat pump.
The combination means you have one unit to provide cool air in the summer and another to provide hot air in the winter.
Each of these combinations requires ductwork so if you already have ductwork in your home, you can simply replace an existing central air conditioning unit or make a modification to something a bit more substantial.
However, if you don’t have duct work and you have an older home, this might require some costly remodels.
Ductless Mini Split Systems
A ductless mini split system is an alternative to central air if you don’t have ductwork in your home and don’t want to install it. These units can be mounted to your wall or your ceiling.
Window/Wall Units
If these are too advanced or you want something that is smaller and can be used for single rooms or floors, we can help you install window units and wall units to improve your energy efficiency and maximize your space.
Let Us Help You Decide
When you contact our team for your initial consultation, we can help you decide which system would work best.
Size of Your Space
The size of your home is a big factor. You want to make sure that the system you have is large enough to support your cooling needs otherwise it will cycle on and off too frequently which is not only wasteful but can cause the motor to break much earlier.
Energy Efficiency
If energy efficiency is important you can look for those units with Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings.
Budget Considerations
Some models with those energy efficiency ratings might be higher costs up front but they can give you reduced energy consumption long-term. This is something you’ll have to weigh against the upfront costs.
Smart Technology Integration
If smart technology integration is important to you you can find systems that have things like home automation or smartphone integration.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Have Questions About AC Installations? We Have Answers
How long does an AC installation in Birmingham, AL take?
When you call our team to schedule your installation, we try to complete everything on the same day depending on the complexity of the installation. Obviously if you need additional ductwork this will take longer but if you are installing something like a window unit, that can take just a few hours.
Before we get started we will give you a more accurate estimate.
Do I need to do anything to prepare for an AC installation?
Depending on where your units are currently located and what type of unit you are installing, we might provide some suggestions for preparations. In general, it can be helpful to keep the area and a pathway to the area of installation clear, especially so that we can remove older units quickly and efficiently.
When do I need an AC installation?
We recommend having a new air conditioner installed if:
- You don’t already have one in your home or in a specific space like a garage and need one
- You have a unit that has broken
- You want to upgrade to a new model or type
Note, you don’t have to wait for your current air conditioner to completely break down before you invest in a new one.