With ample upkeep, your air conditioner will provide worry-free cooling for years. But, similar to any other appliance in your residence, it will eventually need to be updated. Knowing when to install a new one is important to avoid pricey repairs, expensive electrical bills and interrupted comfort.

When it includes being cool and your home’s energy efficiency, our TopTec professionals have your best interests at heart. There’s a lot that goes into determining when your air conditioner requires replacement. Here are several points 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 run for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the midpoint. It’s smart to get started preparing for air conditioning installation before it fails so you aren’t sweltering while you’re waiting for a new one.

Reliability

How trustworthy is your air conditioner? Does it cool well, even on the warmest days? Or is it frequently malfunctioning? When your air conditioner is less trustworthy it’s time to begin considering getting an updated one.

Repair Bills

Over your air conditioner’s life span, it’s normal for it to need a handful of small repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the price of a new air conditioner, it’s wiser to just replace it.

Energy Efficiency

Every air conditioner has a SEER rating, which ranks how well it consumes electricity to produce 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 becomes less efficient 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 higher SEER ratings are typically costlier but might pay for themselves over their life span through increased energy savings. And getting 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 may have trouble keeping your residence comfy as a result of reduced efficiency. A modern air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can lower high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of running at full speed 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 annoying you, check with us about upgrading to a variable-speed air conditioner. Most of these air conditioners cool at a sound level that’s like a regular conversation.

Smart Thermostat Compatibility

Adding a smart thermostat is a smart approach to maximize your energy efficiency, with minimal effort necessary from you. And, depending on the rebates available from your utility company, you could be able to get a free smart thermostat or get one for a greatly reduced price. The majority of these thermostats can pick up on your temperature preferences and then create an energy-efficient schedule to match. They also know when you’re at home or gone and adjust temps as necessary.

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

Refrigerant Type

If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it probably runs on Freon®. Also called R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being manufactured because of its damaging 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 list the refrigerant style.

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

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

Our Pros Make Air Conditioning Installation Hassle-Free

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 lead to 25–40% in energy savings! And those savings can really add up as time goes by.

We realize that air conditioner cost is your number one question. That’s why partnering with TopTec for air conditioning installation in Libertyville and surrounding areas is simple and affordable. Our technicians will help you find the right model 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 847-362-0262 to request your free, no-pressure estimate right away!