With proper upkeep, your air conditioner will deliver worry-free performance for many years. But, like any other thing in your residence, it will at some point need replacement. Knowing when to get a new one is essential to prevent costly repairs, higher utility bills and interrupted comfort.
When it involves being cool and your home’s energy efficiency, our TopTec Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical professionals have your best interests at heart. There’s a lot that goes into determining when your air conditioner needs to be replaced. Here are several aspects you should consider when you’re thinking about upgrading your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
On average, 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 halfway point. It’s wise to start prepping 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 well, even on the toastiest days? Or is it frequently breaking down? When your air conditioner starts becoming less trustworthy it’s time to start preparing to get a new one.
Repair Costs
Over your air conditioner’s life cycle, it’s expected for it to need a few little repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the price of a new air conditioner, it’s recommended to just get a new one.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner comes with a SEER rating, which rates how well it expends electricity to create cold air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at least 13 SEER according to federal guidelines. However, your air conditioner loses efficiency as it wears out.
Today, 15–18 SEER is a popular range, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with greater SEER ratings are usually pricier but might pay for themselves over time through improved energy savings. And purchasing 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 on? Or are you often turning down the temperature to keep cool? An old air conditioner might have trouble keeping your home comfortable as a result of reduced efficiency. A new 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 run at multiple speeds to adapt your comfort.
Noise
Your air conditioner should give cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is a concern, check with us about getting a variable-speed air conditioner. Most of these air conditioners cool at a sound level that’s like an everyday conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Adding a smart thermostat is a smart way to keep up with energy efficiency, with not much effort necessary from you. And, depending on the rebates available by your utility company, you might be able to get a free smart thermostat or get one for a greatly reduced price. 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 away and alter temps as necessary.
If you use an aging 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 Style
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it probably relies on Freon®. Also called R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being manufactured as a result of its bad effects on the ozone layer. You can see if your air conditioner has R-22 by checking the sticker on the outside unit, which will show the refrigerant type.
If your air conditioner is running fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever has a refrigerant leak, solving the problem will be pricey. That’s due to the fact 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 Professionals Make Air Conditioning Installation Easy
If you’re still deciding whether you should replace your 15-year-old air conditioner soon, consider this. The Department of Energy says doing air conditioning replacement for a 10-year-old model can result in 25–40% in energy savings! And those savings can really build as time passes.
We are aware that air conditioner cost is your top question. That’s why collaborating with TopTec Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical for air conditioning installation in Libertyville and surrounding areas is easy and affordable. Our techs 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 work with your budget.
Call us at 847-362-0262 to request your free, no-pressure estimate now!