With proper service, your air conditioner will deliver worry-free service for a long time. But, just like any other thing in your home, it will ultimately need to be replaced. Knowing when to install a new one is important to avoid expensive repairs, higher energy bills and comfort disruptions.
When it includes keeping cool and your house’s energy efficiency, our Cool Air Solutions pros have your best interests at heart. There’s a lot that goes into deciding when your air conditioner requires replacement. 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 most air conditioners last for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the halfway point. It’s smart to begin planning for air conditioning installation before it goes out so you aren’t roasting while you’re waiting for a new one.
Trustworthiness
How trustworthy is your air conditioner? Does it cool well, even on the warmest days? Or is it routinely needing repairs? When your air conditioner is less trustworthy it’s time to begin thinking about getting an updated one.
Repair Bills
Over your air conditioner’s life cycle, it’s anticipated 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 recommended to just get a new one.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner comes with a SEER rating, which measures 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 gets older.
As of now, 15–18 SEER is a popular number, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with bigger SEER ratings are usually pricier but could 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 working? Or are you often turning down the temperature to stay cool? An aging air conditioner might struggle to keep your house cool because of reduced efficiency. An updated air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can minimize high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of running on high all the time, these air conditioners operate at multiple speeds to fine-tune your comfort.
Noise
Your air conditioner should provide cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is annoying you, check with us about getting a variable-speed air conditioner. Many of these air conditioners operate at a sound level that’s similar to a normal conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Installing a smart thermostat is a smart way to maximize your energy efficiency, with very little effort needed from you. And, depending on the rebates provided by your utility company, you might be able to get a free smart thermostat or get one for not much. Most of these thermostats can learn from your temperature preferences and then make an energy-efficient schedule to match. They also know when you’re at home or out and about and change settings as necessary.
If you rely on an older air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Installing a new air conditioner is a surefire approach to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.
Refrigerant Type
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it probably uses Freon®. Also referred to as R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being produced as a result 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 kind.
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 expensive. That’s due to the fact Freon is only available in reduced, 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 Technicians Make Air Conditioning Installation Stress-Free
If you’re still debating whether you should replace your 15-year-old air conditioner within the immediate future, 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 accumulate as time passes.
We realize that air conditioner cost is your top question. That’s why collaborating with Cool Air Solutions for air conditioning installation in Murrieta and surrounding areas is easy and affordable. Our techs will help you choose 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 fit your budget.
Reach us at 951-299-9853 to request your free, no-pressure estimate today!