With ample upkeep, your air conditioner will provide worry-free service for years. But, just like any other machine in your residence, it will ultimately need to be upgraded. Knowing when to replace it is important to skip pricey repairs, higher energy bills and interruptions to your comfort.

When it includes being cool and your residence’s energy efficiency, our North Mechanical Heating and Cooling professionals have your best interests at heart. There’s a lot that goes into deciding when your air conditioner needs to be replaced. Here are a few points you should consider when you’re thinking about upgrading your 15-year-old air conditioner.

Age

Typically, 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 midpoint. It’s smart to begin preparing for air conditioning installation before it goes out so you aren’t sweltering while you’re waiting for a replacement.

Trustworthiness

How reliable is your air conditioner? Does it cool dependably, even on the toastiest days? Or is it routinely malfunctioning? When your air conditioner starts becoming less reliable it’s time to start considering getting an updated one.

Repair Bills

Over your air conditioner’s lifetime, it’s anticipated for it to need a handful of little repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the expenses of a new air conditioner, it’s wiser to just install a new one.

Energy Efficiency

Every air conditioner includes a SEER rating, which measures how well it uses electricity to produce cold air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at least 13 SEER per federal rules. However, your air conditioner becomes less efficient as it ages.

Today, 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 may pay for themselves over their life span through more energy savings. And installing an energy-efficient air conditioner, especially one that’s an ENERGY STAR® air conditioner, can make you eligible for extra rebates.

Comfort

Are you comfy when your air conditioner is on? Or are you continuously dialing down the temperature to keep cool? An older air conditioner could struggle to keep your house comfy due to lower efficiency. An updated air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can lower high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of operating at full speed all the time, these air conditioners work at multiple speeds to adapt your comfort.

Noise

Your air conditioner should provide cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is a concern, ask us about getting a variable-speed air conditioner. Many of these air conditioners cool at a sound level that’s similar to a regular conversation.

Smart Thermostat Compatibility

Installing a smart thermostat is a wise approach to maximize your energy efficiency, with not much effort required 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 very little. Many 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 adjust temperatures as necessary.

If you have an outdated air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Getting a new air conditioner is a surefire method to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.

Refrigerant Style

If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it likely runs on Freon®. Also referred to as R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being manufactured because of its negative 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 has a refrigerant leak, repairing the problem will be pricey. That’s because Freon is only available in reduced, recycled amounts.

Newer air conditioners run on Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just use Puron in a Freon air conditioner, since pressure requirements are different.

Our Techs Make Air Conditioning Installation Hassle-Free

If you’re still debating whether you should replace your 15-year-old air conditioner soon, think over 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 accumulate as time passes.

We are aware 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 simple and affordable. Our professionals will help you find the right solution for your needs and then review 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.

Call us at 928-263-8570 to request your free, no-pressure estimate right away!