With proper upkeep, your air conditioner will provide worry-free cooling for a long time. But, like any other machine in your home, it will at some point need to be upgraded. Knowing when to install a new one is important to skip pricey repairs, higher energy bills and interrupted comfort.
When it comes to keeping cool and your home’s energy efficiency, our Watts Electric & A/C Inc professionals have your best interests at the forefront. There’s a lot that goes into deciding when your air conditioner should be replaced. Here are a few points you should consider when you’re thinking about replacing your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
Most of the time, the Department of Energy says the majority of air conditioners last for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the midpoint. It’s recommended to get started preparing for air conditioning installation before it wears out so you aren’t sweating while you’re waiting for a replacement.
Reliability
How trustworthy is your air conditioner? Does it cool well, even on the toastiest days? Or is it routinely malfunctioning? When your air conditioner becomes less dependable it’s time to start considering getting an updated one.
Repair Costs
Over your air conditioner’s life span, it’s normal for it to need a few small repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the cost of a new air conditioner, it’s smarter to just install a new one.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner includes a SEER rating, which rates how proficiently it expends electricity to produce cooling. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be a minimum of 13 SEER according to federal laws. However, your air conditioner becomes inefficient as it gets older.
Now, 15–18 SEER is a popular ranking, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with higher SEER ratings are typically more expensive but could pay for themselves over the years through improved energy savings. And purchasing an energy-efficient air conditioner, especially one that’s an ENERGY STAR® air conditioner, can make you eligible for added rebates.
Comfort
Are you comfortable when your air conditioner is working? Or are you often dialing down the temperature to keep cool? An old air conditioner could struggle to keep your home comfy due to decreased efficiency. An updated air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can lower high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of operating at full speed all the time, these air conditioners run at multiple speeds to adapt your comfort.
Noise
Your air conditioner should provide cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is bothering you, ask us about installing a variable-speed air conditioner. Most of these air conditioners operate at a sound level that’s like a regular conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Installing a smart thermostat is a smart way to stay on top of energy efficiency, with minimal effort necessary 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. The majority of these thermostats can adjust to 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 alter settings as needed.
If you have an aging air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Upgrading your air conditioner is a smart way to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.
Refrigerant Type
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it probably relies on Freon®. Also known as R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being manufactured due to 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 include the refrigerant style.
If your air conditioner is operating fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever experiences a refrigerant leak, repairing the problem will be costly. That’s because Freon is only available in limited, recycled amounts.
Newer air conditioners run on Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just use Puron in a Freon air conditioner, as pressure requirements are different.
Our Techs Make Air Conditioning Installation Stress-Free
If you’re still debating whether you should replace your 15-year-old air conditioner soon, think about 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 over time.
We know that air conditioner cost is your top question. That’s why partnering with Watts Electric & A/C Inc for air conditioning installation in Columbia and surrounding areas is simple and affordable. Our techs will help you find the right model 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 accommodate your budget.
Call us at 601-736-7362 to request your free, no-pressure estimate right away!