With adequate service, your air conditioner will offer worry-free performance for years. But, similar to any other thing in your home, it will at some point need replacement. Knowing when to get a new one is essential to skip pricey repairs, higher electrical bills and interruptions to your comfort.
When it comes to staying cool and your residence’s energy efficiency, our E.B. Air, LLC professionals have your best interests at the forefront. There’s a lot that goes into figuring out when your air conditioner should be replaced. Here are a few things you should consider when you’re thinking about upgrading your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
Most of the time, 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 recommended to start planning for air conditioning installation before it goes out so you aren’t sweating while you’re waiting for a new one.
Trustworthiness
How trustworthy is your air conditioner? Does it cool dependably, even on the toastiest days? Or is it frequently breaking down? When your air conditioner becomes less trustworthy it’s time to begin preparing to get an upgraded one.
Repair Expenses
Over your air conditioner’s life cycle, it’s normal for it to need a few minor repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the expenses of a new air conditioner, it’s recommended to just get a new one.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner includes a SEER rating, which measures how efficiently it uses electricity to create chilled air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be a minimum of 13 SEER per federal laws. However, your air conditioner loses efficiency as it ages.
Today, 15–18 SEER is a popular ranking, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with greater SEER ratings are often pricier but might pay for themselves over time through more 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 on? Or are you continuously turning down the temperature to keep cool? An old air conditioner might have trouble keeping your house cool because of reduced 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 run 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 installing a variable-speed air conditioner. Many of these air conditioners cool at a sound level that’s similar to a regular conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Getting a smart thermostat is a wise method to keep up with energy efficiency, with minimal effort required from you. And, depending on the rebates offered by your utility company, you could be able to get a free smart thermostat or get one for not much. 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 outdated air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Getting a new air conditioner is a surefire way to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.
Refrigerant Style
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it potentially runs on Freon®. Also called R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being manufactured as a result of its negative 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 list the refrigerant kind.
If your air conditioner is working fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever has a refrigerant leak, solving the problem will be pricey. That’s since Freon is only available in decreased, recycled amounts.
Newer air conditioners run on 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 deciding 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 accumulate over time.
We realize that air conditioner cost is your first question. That’s why collaborating with E.B. Air, LLC for air conditioning installation in East Bernard and surrounding areas is easy and affordable. Our pros will help you find the right solution for your needs and then go over all the possibilities. These include special offers to help you save more and financing for qualified customers to make your new air conditioner accommodate your budget.
Reach us at 979-335-4262 to request your free, no-pressure estimate now!