With proper service, your air conditioner will provide worry-free cooling for a long time. But, similar to any other machine in your home, it will eventually need to be upgraded. Knowing when to get a new one is essential to prevent costly repairs, expensive utility bills and comfort disruptions.
When it includes staying cool and your house’s energy efficiency, our Farnell Mechanical, Inc. professionals have your best interests at heart. There’s a lot that goes into determining when your air conditioner requires replacement. Here are a few things you should consider when you’re thinking about replacing your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
In most instances, the Department of Energy says many air conditioners run for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the halfway point. It’s wise to start planning for air conditioning installation before it goes out so you aren’t sweltering while you’re waiting for a replacement.
Dependability
How trustworthy is your air conditioner? Does it cool reliably, even on the warmest days? Or is it frequently malfunctioning? When your air conditioner becomes less reliable it’s time to begin considering getting an upgraded one.
Repair Expenses
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 cost of a new air conditioner, it’s smarter to just get a new one.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner has a SEER rating, which measures how proficiently it consumes 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.
Now, 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 may pay for themselves over the years 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 comfy when your air conditioner is running? Or are you often dialing down the temperature to keep cool? An aging air conditioner could have problems keeping your house comfortable as a result of lower 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 blast constantly, these air conditioners work at multiple speeds to fine-tune your comfort.
Noise
Your air conditioner should deliver cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is a concern, call us about upgrading to a variable-speed air conditioner. Most of these air conditioners run at a sound level that’s comparable to a regular conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Installing a smart thermostat is a smart method to stay on top of energy efficiency, with minimal effort needed from you. And, depending on the rebates offered by your utility company, you might 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 gone and alter settings accordingly.
If you rely on an outdated air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Upgrading your air conditioner is a smart method to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.
Refrigerant Type
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it likely relies on Freon®. Also called R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being produced due to its negative 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 style.
If your air conditioner is working fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever has a refrigerant leak, fixing the problem will be costly. That’s due to the fact Freon is only available in reduced, recycled amounts.
Newer air conditioners use Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just put Puron in a Freon air conditioner, since pressure requirements are different.
Our Techs Make Air Conditioning Installation Stress-Free
If you’re still deciding whether you should replace your 15-year-old air conditioner now, think about 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 add up over the years.
We realize that air conditioner cost is your number one question. That’s why collaborating with Farnell Mechanical, Inc. for air conditioning installation in Auburn and Opelika and surrounding areas is stress-free and affordable. Our technicians will help you find the right option 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.
Get in touch with us at 334-524-2458 to request your free, no-pressure estimate today!