With ample service, your air conditioner will deliver worry-free performance for many years. But, similar to any other machine in your home, it will ultimately need to be upgraded. Knowing when to install a new one is essential to avoid expensive repairs, costly electrical bills and interrupted comfort.
When it involves staying cool and your house’s energy efficiency, our Air Alliance Team pros are looking out for your best interests. There’s a lot that goes into deciding when your air conditioner needs to be replaced. Here are several points 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 last for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the center point. It’s recommended to start planning for air conditioning installation before it fails so you aren’t sweltering 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 routinely needing repairs? When your air conditioner becomes less trustworthy it’s time to get started preparing to get an updated one.
Repair Bills
Over your air conditioner’s lifetime, it’s normal 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 ranks how well it expends electricity to make chilled air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be a minimum of 13 SEER according to federal mandates. However, your air conditioner becomes inefficient 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 greater SEER ratings are often more expensive but might pay for themselves over their life span through improved energy savings. And installing 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 on? Or are you often dialing down the temperature to remain cool? An aging air conditioner may struggle to keep your house comfortable as a result of reduced efficiency. A new air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can minimize high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of operating at full speed all the time, these air conditioners run at multiple speeds to adjust 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. The majority of these air conditioners run at a sound level that’s comparable to an everyday conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Adding a smart thermostat is a smart way to maximize your energy efficiency, with minimal effort needed from you. And, depending on the rebates available by your utility company, you could be able to get a free smart thermostat or get one for a greatly reduced price. Many 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 adjust temps accordingly.
If you use an aging air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Installing a new air conditioner is a smart approach to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.
Refrigerant Type
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it probably uses Freon®. Also known as R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being produced due to its bad effects on the ozone layer. You can see if your air conditioner has R-22 by reviewing the sticker on the outside unit, which will include the refrigerant kind.
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 use Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just add Puron in a Freon air conditioner, because pressure requirements are different.
Our Technicians Make Air Conditioning Installation Stress-Free
If you’re still deciding whether you should replace your 15-year-old air conditioner soon, think over 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 build over the years.
We are aware that air conditioner cost is your top question. That’s why working with Air Alliance Team for air conditioning installation in Ballwin and St. Charles and surrounding areas is simple and affordable. Our pros will help you select the right solution 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 fit your budget.
Call us at 636-206-4250 to request your free, no-pressure estimate right away!