Generally, no. It is a waste of electricity to keep the AC running all day. It is more economical to use a thermostat/timer so that it only works when needed. The exception would be very hot days, where keeping the temperature steady may use less energy than cooling from scratch.

They only cool or heat the room that they are installed in, not the entire house. The outdoor condenser unit can be noisy, especially if put near windows or neighbours. They essentially need an appropriate external wall to which they can be installed and drained.

Honestly, not really. Most units last about 10 to 12 years. Once yours hits that mark, repairs get expensive, and you can’t count on it lasting much longer. Older systems waste more energy and break down a lot. Swapping yours out for a newer, more efficient model means better comfort, fewer headaches, and lower bills.

If it’s not cooling like it used to, taking forever to reach the temperature you want, making weird sounds, leaking, or suddenly sending your energy bills through the roof, that’s a red flag. When you’re calling for repairs all the time or noticing uneven airflow around the house, your AC is probably on its last legs. At that point, replacing it just makes sense.

Installation alone will normally cost $600 – $1,500 for a standard split system. Ducted air conditioning can cost anywhere from $8,000 – $20,000+, depending on home size, layout, and zoning needs.