With proper upkeep, your air conditioner will offer worry-free service for a long time. But, similar to any other machine in your home, it will at some point need to be updated. Knowing when to get a new one is key to prevent pricey repairs, costly electrical bills and interruptions to your comfort.
When it involves being cool and your residence’s energy efficiency, our Connolly Electric & Mechanical professionals have your best interests at the forefront. There’s a lot that goes into deciding when your air conditioner needs to be replaced. Here are a few things you should consider when you’re thinking about updating your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
Most of the time, the Department of Energy says the majority of air conditioners work for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the halfway point. It’s wise to get started prepping for air conditioning installation before it fails 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 warmest days? Or is it regularly breaking down? When your air conditioner is less reliable it’s time to begin preparing to get an updated one.
Repair Expenses
Over your air conditioner’s life cycle, it’s expected for it to need several little repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the expenses of a new air conditioner, it’s wiser to just get a new one.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner has a SEER rating, which measures how well it expends electricity to produce cold air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at minimum 13 SEER per federal mandates. However, your air conditioner becomes less efficient as it wears out.
Now, 15–18 SEER is a popular number, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with higher SEER ratings are typically pricier but might pay for themselves over time through improved 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 continuously switching the temperature to remain cool? An older air conditioner could have problems keeping your home comfortable due to lower efficiency. A new air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can reduce high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of running at full blast all the time, these air conditioners operate at multiple speeds to adapt your comfort.
Noise
Your air conditioner should deliver cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is a concern, ask us about installing a variable-speed air conditioner. The majority of these air conditioners run at a sound level that’s like an everyday conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Getting a smart thermostat is a good approach to maximize your energy efficiency, with very little effort required 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. Many 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 out and about and alter temps as needed.
If you have an outdated 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 Style
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it potentially relies on Freon®. Also called 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 uses R-22 by looking at 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, solving the problem will be pricey. That’s due to the fact Freon is only available in limited, recycled amounts.
Newer air conditioners have Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just put Puron in a Freon air conditioner, since pressure requirements are different.
Our Pros Make Air Conditioning Installation Stress-Free
If you’re still debating whether you should replace your 15-year-old air conditioner now, consider 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 build as time passes.
We know that air conditioner cost is your number one question. That’s why working with Connolly Electric & Mechanical for air conditioning installation in Cottonwood & Prescott and surrounding areas is simple and affordable. Our techs 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 work with your budget.
Get in touch with us at 928-251-4327 to request your free, no-pressure estimate right away!