With proper service, your air conditioner will offer worry-free cooling for many years. But, just like any other thing in your house, it will at some point need to be replaced. Knowing when to install a new one is important to avoid pricey repairs, higher energy bills and comfort disruptions.
When it involves keeping cool and your house’s energy efficiency, our Olde Towne Heating & Air specialists are looking out for your best interests. There’s a lot that goes into deciding when your air conditioner requires replacement. Here are a few things you should consider when you’re thinking about upgrading your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
In most instances, 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 midpoint. It’s smart to get started planning for air conditioning installation before it goes out so you aren’t sweltering while you’re waiting for a new one.
Trustworthiness
How dependable is your air conditioner? Does it cool reliably, even on the hottest days? Or is it frequently needing repairs? When your air conditioner becomes less reliable it’s time to get started preparing to get an updated one.
Repair Expenses
Over your air conditioner’s life cycle, it’s expected 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 wiser to just install a new one.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner comes with a SEER rating, which ranks how proficiently it uses electricity to make chilled air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be a minimum of 13 SEER per federal mandates. However, your air conditioner becomes inefficient as it wears out.
As of now, 15–18 SEER is a popular range, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with higher SEER ratings are typically more expensive but could pay for themselves over time 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 comfortable when your air conditioner is working? Or are you continuously switching the temperature to stay cool? An old air conditioner may have trouble keeping your home comfy because of reduced efficiency. A modern air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can reduce high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of running on high all the time, these air conditioners work at multiple speeds to adjust your comfort.
Noise
Your air conditioner should provide 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 like a normal conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Getting a smart thermostat is a smart approach to stay on top of energy efficiency, with minimal effort necessary from you. And, depending on the rebates available by your utility company, you could be able to get a free smart thermostat or get one for not much. The majority 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 away and alter temperatures accordingly.
If you have an outdated air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Installing a new air conditioner is a smart way to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.
Refrigerant Type
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it potentially runs on Freon®. Also called R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being made 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 include the refrigerant type.
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 costly. That’s since Freon is only available in decreased, recycled amounts.
Newer air conditioners use Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just use Puron in a Freon air conditioner, because pressure requirements are different.
Our Technicians Make Air Conditioning Installation Hassle-Free
If you’re still deciding whether you should replace your 15-year-old air conditioner within the immediate future, think about 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 accumulate as time passes.
We are aware that air conditioner cost is your top question. That’s why collaborating with Olde Towne Heating & Air for air conditioning installation in Mount Pleasant and surrounding areas is simple and affordable. Our professionals will help you choose the right option 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.
Call us at 843-485-0967 to request your free, no-pressure estimate today!