Goodbyes are always hard, particularly for big purchases like air conditioners, ergo we use the most out of it before its disposal. Business-minded or not, we must ensure that we have already maximized our return on investment. Otherwise, it's money gone to waste. Luckily, we have already gone through the trouble of researching how long Trane air conditioners last for you!
The estimated useful life of Trane ACs is 15-20 years. Of course, this is not definite since we must consider other factors such as maintenance, usage, and environment that may affect the lifespan of your cooling system.
Great! Now that you know the answer to your question, wouldn't it be nice to learn how to prolong its life? Keep on reading, and you'll see the solution and other helpful information beneficial to you and your AC.
How To Make Your Trane Unit Last
The best way to extend any appliance's life span is through regular inspections and tune-ups. This method applies to Trane Units as well. Regular professional air conditioning maintenance ensures peak performance by preventing potential issues from arising and air comfort quality.
How Are Preventative Maintenances Done?
- Check the fan motor, ensure that all parts are intact (not damaged or loose)
- Replace filtration system regularly or as needed
- Check the water condensate, drain lines and refrigerant for leakages
- Ensure wirings are connected and working
- Clean out blower wheel to remove dust pile up
- Verify the refrigerant pressure and compressor voltage are within the safe and operational ranges
- Wash the condenser coil and remove any trash
What Are The Common Trane AC Problems
AC is not blowing cold air
Either you have set the thermostat incorrectly, or parts of the AC are clogged.
AC Constantly Running
If your unit doesn't shut off as scheduled and keeps running, the problem possibly is several malfunctioning components.
No air movement or blowing air
Blown a fuse or open circuit breaker might be why the air handler is not working.
Overflowing drain pan
The electric pump responsible for transporting the condensation to a nearby drainage pump must have been unplugged or blocked.
Loud noises
There are loose parts that need tightening and damaged components that a technician must replace.
The condenser fan does not run.
There's a defective capacitor in the system that a professional must replace.
The condenser unit does not run.
There's a power problem or malfunctioning parts replacement.
You may have already noticed that the majority of the issues are defective parts that technicians or professionals must replace. Hire a professional to handle the repairs for anything related to the internal components of Trane AC units. These components are sensitive and require skills and expertise.
How to Fix Trance AC Common Problems
Why Isn't My Trance AC Not Blowing Cold Air?
- Thermostat not set correctly- We are all familiar with the famous advice "Have you tried turning it off and on again?" Well, this advice is what you're supposed to do.
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- Turn it off
- Wait for 1-3 minutes
- Turn it on again
- Reset to the desired temperature
- Blocked indoor air handler coil- Dust and debris build-up is the cause of your problem. This problem is easy to manage; wipe away the dust and change filters often.
- Clogged or Dirty Filter- Clean or replace the filters.
- Blocked Outdoor Cooling Coil- Clear the surrounding area. Grass, Pebble, Twigs, and many more are the usual culprit of this issue.
Why Is My Trance Air Conditioner Not Shutting Off?
We already mentioned this problem above; let's dive further into it. The main symptom of this problem is that your unit doesn't shut off as scheduled and keeps running.
Stuck Relay Switch
You would need to hire technicians to replace a faulty relay switch.
Faulty Thermostat
It's recommended that you replace thermostats every ten years. Years and years of dirt gather in the sensor, stopping it from reading the room temperature accurately. Damaged electrical wiring and loose connections disrupt the communication between the thermostat and aircon.
Wrong Thermostat Settings
You can quickly fix this problem. You would only need to adjust your thermostat. You might have only turned on the fan settings, and as a result, your air conditioner does not produce cold air. Due to frequent thermostat adjustments, the setpoint may have to be adjusted lower than usual. So the air conditioner will keep running to achieve this temperature even though you expect the system to turn off sooner.
Faulty Fan Limit Switch
The fan limit switch is located near the blower fan and is stuck in the override position. Resetting it will stop the fan from blowing.
Dirty Condenser & Condenser Coils
This problem limits the ability of the air conditioner to release heat from the refrigerant, leading to a longer cooling time. Remove the dirt and debris that have accumulated in your unit's condenser. Here's a video showing you how to clean a Dirty Condenser from your air conditioner
Frozen Evaporator Coils
The collected condensation freezes on the coil during the cooling process, thus preventing the refrigerant from absorbing heat. A clogged drip pan and drain line may have caused the system to hold moisture. Ensure there's no dust built up in the coils or filter and rooms are adequately ventilated. Here's a video showing you how to diagnose this problem.
Dirty Air Filter
A dirty air filter is the most common cause of the problem, which people overlook. Clean the filter or replace it with new ones every couple of months, and you're a step ahead already from preventing any AC issues. Here's a video on how to clean your air filter.
Low Refrigerant Levels
Manufacturers designed an air conditioner with a standard refrigerant volume to operate smoothly. Insufficient refrigerants due to leakage slow down the system's ability to absorb and transfer heat. Unfortunately, you can't do anything to fix this. You'll need to hire a certified professional to do the job for you.
Low Fan Speed
Low fan speed stops the system from moving cool air into your home, making it work more and prolonging the running time. Dust pile up on the blades restricts operations.
Incorrect System Size
The air-con unit's specifications must be proportional to the size of your room. Undersized air-con consumes excessive power despite its inability to cool the area. Spare yourself from the thousands of electricity bills and consult your contractor. This way, you can guarantee that your cooling system is the best fit for your home.
When Should I Replace My Trance Aircon?
As the saying goes, nothing lasts forever, and your Trance Aircon is no exception. You must already know that it's time to retire the old chap. Here are some signs confirming that you need to replace your Trance Aircon.
Here are the tell-tale signs that your unit is at the end of its life
Air Conditioner is more than ten years old
Modern ACs have a useful life of 15-20 years compared to older units that only last for 10-12 years. Air conditioners often experience various stressful factors such as extreme temperatures, changing surroundings, and maintenance that may shorten their life span. Units that are more than ten years old would have already shown signs of deterioration; constant repair is the best example.
As technology advances, older versions of ACs are sometimes discontinued, thus making parts replacement challenging to obtain due to it being obsolete.
Air Conditioner frequently breaks down.
Frequent breakdowns mean frequent repairs, and the cost of those repairs will accumulate over time. If the expense already outweighs the benefits, it's time to let go.
Your Energy Bills are at an all-time high.
Unless you increase your energy consumption by adding 2-3 new electrical appliances, your bill should stay the same. The only exception is the AC and furnace season, which might fluctuate a bit. Higher bills may mean your AC is losing efficiency. Keeping your AC on for more extended periods is an often-overlooked indicator of inefficiency.
Your AC Uses R-22 Freon
If your unit is more than ten years old, it uses R-22 freon. Scientists found this freon to have adverse effects on the environment. According to EPA, currently, the R-22 freon has been phased out since 2020.
Conclusion
Regular maintenance and tune-ups will help you max out the investment return of your AC. When your unit is near the end of its lifespan, consider purchasing a new one. Just because it's working doesn't mean you can't improve your comfortability. You won't have a hard time replacing your old one since better options are always readily available in the market.
If you're looking for other articles that may solve other problems with your air conditioning unit, check these out!