With proper upkeep, your air conditioner will deliver worry-free performance for many years. But, just like any other appliance in your home, it will eventually need to be replaced. Knowing when to install a new one is key to prevent pricey repairs, higher electrical bills and comfort disruptions.
When it involves being cool and your home’s energy efficiency, our Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning pros have your best interests at heart. There’s a lot that goes into figuring out when your air conditioner should be replaced. Here are several points you should consider when you’re thinking about updating your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
In most instances, the Department of Energy says the majority of air conditioners last for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the center point. It’s smart to begin preparing for air conditioning installation before it goes out so you aren’t sweltering while you’re waiting for a new one.
Reliability
How trustworthy is your air conditioner? Does it cool reliably, even on the toastiest days? Or is it routinely malfunctioning? When your air conditioner starts becoming less dependable it’s time to begin considering getting an updated one.
Repair Bills
Over your air conditioner’s life span, it’s expected for it to need a handful of minor repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the cost 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 measures how efficiently it expends electricity to make cold air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at least 13 SEER per federal guidelines. However, your air conditioner loses efficiency as it ages.
Today, 15–18 SEER is a popular number, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with greater SEER ratings are typically costlier but could pay for themselves over the years through increased energy savings. And installing an energy-efficient air conditioner, especially one that’s an ENERGY STAR® air conditioner, can make you eligible for added rebates.
Comfort
Are you comfy when your air conditioner is working? Or are you constantly dialing down the temperature to stay cool? An aging air conditioner might have trouble keeping your residence comfy as a result of lower 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 speed constantly, 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 a concern, check with us about getting a variable-speed air conditioner. The majority of these air conditioners operate at a sound level that’s comparable to a regular conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Installing a smart thermostat is a good method to maximize your energy efficiency, with minimal effort required from you. And, depending on the rebates provided by your utility company, you may be able to get a free smart thermostat or get one for very little. Most of these thermostats can adjust to 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 necessary.
If you have an older air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Getting a new air conditioner is a wise method to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.
Refrigerant Style
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it likely runs on Freon®. Also referred to as R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being made because of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. You can see if your air conditioner runs on R-22 by checking the sticker on the outside unit, which will list the refrigerant type.
If your air conditioner is running fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever experiences a refrigerant leak, fixing the problem will be pricey. That’s since Freon is only available in decreased, recycled amounts.
Newer air conditioners have Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just put Puron in a Freon air conditioner, as pressure requirements are different.
Our Technicians Make Air Conditioning Installation Easy
If you’re still debating whether you should replace your 15-year-old air conditioner now, think over 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 over the years.
We know that air conditioner cost is your top question. That’s why partnering with Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning for air conditioning installation in Warrenton and surrounding areas is easy and affordable. Our techs will help you choose 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 work with your budget.
Get in touch with us at 636-456-5041 to request your free, no-pressure estimate right away!