With proper maintenance, your air conditioner will provide worry-free service for years. But, like any other appliance in your home, it will at some point need to be updated. Knowing when to install a new one is key to avoid pricey repairs, higher utility bills and interrupted comfort.
When it involves being cool and your home’s energy efficiency, our Central Heating & Plumbing specialists have your best interests at heart. There’s a lot that goes into figuring out when your air conditioner needs to be replaced. Here are a few things you should consider when you’re thinking about updating your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
In most instances, the Department of Energy says most air conditioners work for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the midpoint. It’s smart to get started prepping for air conditioning installation before it wears out so you aren’t roasting while you’re waiting for a new one.
Trustworthiness
How dependable is your air conditioner? Does it cool dependably, even on the hottest days? Or is it frequently breaking down? When your air conditioner becomes less reliable it’s time to get started preparing to get an updated one.
Repair Costs
Over your air conditioner’s lifetime, it’s anticipated for it to need a few little repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the price of a new air conditioner, it’s wiser to just replace it.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner has a SEER rating, which ranks how well it expends electricity to make chilled air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at least 13 SEER per federal guidelines. However, your air conditioner becomes inefficient as it ages.
Now, 15–18 SEER is a popular ranking, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with higher SEER ratings are often costlier but might pay for themselves over the years through improved energy savings. And getting an energy-efficient air conditioner, especially one that’s an ENERGY STAR® air conditioner, can make you eligible for additional rebates.
Comfort
Are you cool when your air conditioner is running? Or are you constantly turning down the temperature to stay cool? An aging air conditioner may have problems keeping your residence cool due to decreased efficiency. A new air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can minimize high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of cooling at full blast continuously, these air conditioners work at multiple speeds to fine-tune your comfort.
Noise
Your air conditioner should give cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is a concern, call us about getting a variable-speed air conditioner. Many of these air conditioners run at a sound level that’s like a regular conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Adding a smart thermostat is a smart method to keep up with energy efficiency, with minimal effort needed from you. And, depending on the rebates provided by your utility company, you might be able to get a free smart thermostat or get one for a greatly reduced price. Many of these thermostats can pick up on your temperature preferences and then create an energy-efficient schedule to match. They also know when you’re at home or away and adjust temps accordingly.
If you have an aging air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Installing a new air conditioner is a smart approach to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.
Refrigerant Style
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it likely relies on Freon®. Also called R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being produced as a result of its bad effects on the ozone layer. You can see if your air conditioner runs on 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, fixing the problem will be costly. That’s due to the fact Freon is only available in limited, recycled amounts.
Newer air conditioners use Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just put Puron in a Freon air conditioner, since pressure requirements are different.
Our Techs Make Air Conditioning Installation Hassle-Free
If you’re still trying to decide whether you should replace your 15-year-old air conditioner now, think over this. The Department of Energy says doing air conditioning replacement for a 10-year-old model can result in 25–40% in energy savings! And those savings can really build as time goes by.
We are aware that air conditioner cost is your number one question. That’s why collaborating with Central Heating & Plumbing for air conditioning installation in New Castle and surrounding areas is stress-free and affordable. Our technicians will help you find the right option for your needs and then go over 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.
Call us at 724-401-1843 to request your free, no-pressure estimate right away!