With ample upkeep, your air conditioner will deliver worry-free service for a long time. But, just like any other appliance in your house, it will at some point need to be updated. Knowing when to replace it is key to skip pricey repairs, expensive electrical bills and interruptions to your comfort.

When it comes to being cool and your house’s energy efficiency, our Olde Towne Heating & Air specialists have your best interests at heart. There’s a lot that goes into determining when your air conditioner needs to be replaced. Here are a few points you should consider when you’re thinking about replacing your 15-year-old air conditioner.

Age

On average, the Department of Energy says many air conditioners last for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the midpoint. It’s wise to begin preparing for air conditioning installation before it fails so you aren’t sweltering while you’re waiting for a new one.

Reliability

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

Repair Bills

Over your air conditioner’s life cycle, it’s expected 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 recommended to just install a new one.

Energy Efficiency

Every air conditioner has a SEER rating, which measures how well it uses electricity to make cold air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at minimum 13 SEER to meet federal guidelines. However, your air conditioner becomes inefficient as it gets older.

Today, 15–18 SEER is a popular number, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with higher SEER ratings are often costlier but could pay for themselves over their life span through increased energy savings. And purchasing 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 constantly dialing down the temperature to stay cool? An older air conditioner could struggle to keep your home 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 running at full speed all the time, these air conditioners run at multiple speeds to fine-tune your comfort.

Noise

Your air conditioner should deliver cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is bothering you, call us about upgrading to a variable-speed air conditioner. Many of these air conditioners cool at a sound level that’s like a regular conversation.

Smart Thermostat Compatibility

Getting a smart thermostat is a good approach to maximize your energy efficiency, with not much effort needed from you. And, depending on the rebates offered by your utility company, you might be able to get a free smart thermostat or get one for very little. The majority of these thermostats can learn from your temperature preferences and then create an energy-efficient schedule to match. They also know when you’re at home or out and about and change settings as necessary.

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

Refrigerant Style

If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it probably runs on Freon®. Also referred to as R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being produced because of its negative effects on the ozone layer. You can see if your air conditioner runs on R-22 by reviewing the sticker on the outside unit, which will include the refrigerant style.

If your air conditioner is working fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever experiences a refrigerant leak, repairing the problem will be pricey. That’s because Freon is only available in decreased, recycled amounts.

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

Our Techs Make Air Conditioning Installation Easy

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

We know that air conditioner cost is your first question. That’s why collaborating with Olde Towne Heating & Air for air conditioning installation in Mount Pleasant and surrounding areas is stress-free 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 work with your budget.

Call us at 843-485-0967 to request your free, no-pressure estimate right away!