With adequate service, your air conditioner will offer worry-free performance for years. But, just like any other thing in your residence, it will at some point need replacement. Knowing when to get a new one is key to prevent costly repairs, higher energy bills and comfort disruptions.
When it includes being cool and your house’s energy efficiency, our North Mechanical Heating and Cooling professionals are looking out for your best interests. 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 replacing your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
In most instances, the Department of Energy says the majority of air conditioners run 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 wears out so you aren’t roasting while you’re waiting for installation.
Dependability
How reliable is your air conditioner? Does it cool well, even on the warmest days? Or is it regularly malfunctioning? When your air conditioner starts becoming less trustworthy it’s time to start considering getting an updated one.
Repair Expenses
Over your air conditioner’s lifetime, it’s normal for it to need several 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 get a new one.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner comes with a SEER rating, which ranks how well it expends electricity to produce chilled air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at least 13 SEER per federal rules. However, your air conditioner loses efficiency as it ages.
Today, 15–18 SEER is a popular ranking, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with bigger SEER ratings are typically more expensive but could pay for themselves over time 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 additional rebates.
Comfort
Are you cool when your air conditioner is on? Or are you often switching the temperature to stay cool? An older air conditioner may have trouble keeping your home comfortable because of reduced efficiency. A modern air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can lower high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of cooling at full speed all the time, 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 installing a variable-speed air conditioner. Many of these air conditioners operate at a sound level that’s similar to a normal conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Adding a smart thermostat is a wise way to maximize your energy efficiency, with not much effort necessary from you. And, depending on the rebates offered by your utility company, you could be able to get a free smart thermostat or get one for very little. Most of these thermostats can adjust to your temperature preferences and then make an energy-efficient schedule to match. They also know when you’re at home or out and about and change settings accordingly.
If you use an outdated air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Installing a new air conditioner is a wise approach to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.
Refrigerant Type
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it potentially uses Freon®. Also referred to as R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being produced as a result of its negative effects on the ozone layer. You can see if your air conditioner uses R-22 by checking the sticker on the outside unit, which will show the refrigerant style.
If your air conditioner is running fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever experiences a refrigerant leak, repairing the problem will be pricey. That’s since Freon is only available in limited, recycled amounts.
Newer air conditioners use Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just use 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 now, think over this. The Department of Energy says doing air conditioning replacement for a 10-year-old model can provide 25–40% in energy savings! And those savings can really build over the years.
We realize that air conditioner cost is your top question. That’s why working with North Mechanical Heating and Cooling for air conditioning installation in Payson and surrounding areas is stress-free and affordable. Our techs will help you select 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 accommodate your budget.
Get in touch with us at 928-263-8570 to request your free, no-pressure estimate right away!