With proper upkeep, your air conditioner will deliver worry-free cooling for many years. But, just like any other machine in your house, it will eventually need replacement. Knowing when to install a new one is important to avoid pricey repairs, costly electrical bills and interrupted comfort.
When it involves staying cool and your home’s energy efficiency, our H & H Service Company specialists have your best interests at heart. There’s a lot that goes into deciding when your air conditioner should be replaced. Here are a few things you should consider when you’re thinking about updating your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
On average, the Department of Energy says many air conditioners work for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the center point. It’s recommended to begin preparing for air conditioning installation before it fails so you aren’t roasting while you’re waiting for a new one.
Trustworthiness
How reliable is your air conditioner? Does it cool dependably, even on the warmest days? Or is it frequently malfunctioning? When your air conditioner becomes less dependable it’s time to start preparing to get a new one.
Repair Expenses
Over your air conditioner’s life cycle, it’s expected for it to need several little repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the expenses of a new air conditioner, it’s smarter to just install a new one.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner has a SEER rating, which ranks how proficiently it consumes electricity to make cold air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be a minimum of 13 SEER according to federal laws. However, your air conditioner becomes less efficient as it gets older.
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 often pricier but could pay for themselves over the years 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 comfy when your air conditioner is working? Or are you constantly turning down the temperature to remain cool? An older air conditioner could have problems keeping your residence comfortable because of decreased efficiency. A modern air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can reduce high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of operating at full blast all the time, these air conditioners operate at multiple speeds to fine-tune your comfort.
Noise
Your air conditioner should give cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is bothering you, ask us about getting a variable-speed air conditioner. Most of these air conditioners cool at a sound level that’s comparable to a normal conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Adding a smart thermostat is a good approach to stay on top of energy efficiency, with not much effort necessary 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 learn from your temperature preferences and then develop an energy-efficient schedule to match. They also know when you’re at home or away and change temperatures as needed.
If you have an outdated air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Upgrading your air conditioner is a wise way to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.
Refrigerant Kind
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 include the refrigerant kind.
If your air conditioner is running fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever experiences a refrigerant leak, solving the problem will be pricey. That’s since Freon is only available in limited, 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 Professionals Make Air Conditioning Installation Hassle-Free
If you’re still debating 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 lead to 25–40% in energy savings! And those savings can really build over time.
We realize that air conditioner cost is your number one question. That’s why collaborating with H & H Service Company for air conditioning installation in Mechanicsburg and surrounding areas is simple and affordable. Our pros will help you select the right model 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 work with your budget.
Reach us at 717-220-4502 to request your free, no-pressure estimate now!