With adequate upkeep, your air conditioner will deliver worry-free service for many years. But, like any other machine in your home, it will ultimately need to be replaced. Knowing when to install a new one is essential to prevent costly repairs, higher utility bills and comfort disruptions.
When it involves being cool and your house’s energy efficiency, our ACS Heating and Air Conditioning specialists have your best interests at heart. There’s a lot that goes into determining when your air conditioner should be replaced. Here are a couple of aspects you should consider when you’re thinking about updating your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
Typically, the Department of Energy says the majority of air conditioners work for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the center point. It’s smart to get started planning for air conditioning installation before it goes out so you aren’t sweating while you’re waiting for installation.
Reliability
How trustworthy is your air conditioner? Does it cool well, even on the warmest days? Or is it regularly breaking down? When your air conditioner starts becoming less trustworthy it’s time to get started preparing to get an updated one.
Repair Expenses
Over your air conditioner’s life span, it’s normal for it to need several minor repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the expenses of a new air conditioner, it’s recommended to just replace it.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner has a SEER rating, which ranks how proficiently it uses electricity to create cooling. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at minimum 13 SEER per federal laws. However, your air conditioner becomes less efficient as it ages.
As of now, 15–18 SEER is a popular range, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with bigger SEER ratings are usually pricier but could pay for themselves over their life span through more energy savings. And getting an energy-efficient air conditioner, especially one that’s an ENERGY STAR® air conditioner, can make you eligible for extra rebates.
Comfort
Are you comfortable when your air conditioner is running? Or are you often switching the temperature to remain cool? An old air conditioner may have problems keeping your residence comfy because of reduced efficiency. An updated air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can minimize high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of cooling at full blast constantly, these air conditioners operate at multiple speeds to fine-tune your comfort.
Noise
Your air conditioner should give cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is annoying you, check with us about upgrading to a variable-speed air conditioner. Most of these air conditioners operate at a sound level that’s comparable to a normal conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Adding a smart thermostat is a good method to maximize your energy efficiency, with not much effort necessary from you. And, depending on the rebates provided by your utility company, you could be able to get a free smart thermostat or get one for a greatly reduced price. The majority of these thermostats can adjust to your temperature preferences and then develop an energy-efficient schedule to match. They also know when you’re at home or away and alter temperatures as necessary.
If you rely on an older air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Upgrading your air conditioner is a smart way to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.
Refrigerant Style
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it likely runs on Freon®. Also called R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being produced as a result of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. You can see if your air conditioner has R-22 by looking at the sticker on the outside unit, which will list the refrigerant type.
If your air conditioner is operating fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever develops a refrigerant leak, repairing the problem will be expensive. That’s since Freon is only available in reduced, recycled amounts.
Newer air conditioners have Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just add Puron in a Freon air conditioner, since pressure requirements are different.
Our Technicians Make Air Conditioning Installation Stress-Free
If you’re still trying to decide whether you should replace your 15-year-old air conditioner within the immediate future, consider this. The Department of Energy says doing air conditioning replacement for a 10-year-old model can lead to 25–40% in energy savings! And those savings can really build as time passes.
We know that air conditioner cost is your top question. That’s why partnering with ACS Heating and Air Conditioning for air conditioning installation in Tucker and surrounding areas is simple and affordable. Our pros will help you find the right solution for your needs and then discuss all the possibilities. These include special offers to help you save more and financing for qualified customers to make your new air conditioner fit your budget.
Get in touch with us at 770-450-1539 to request your free, no-pressure estimate today!