With adequate upkeep, your air conditioner will provide worry-free service for a long time. But, just like any other appliance in your house, it will eventually need to be updated. Knowing when to replace it is important to avoid pricey repairs, expensive energy bills and interruptions to your comfort.
When it comes to being cool and your home’s energy efficiency, our Tri City Fuel & Heating Co., Inc. pros are looking out for your best interests. There’s a lot that goes into determining when your air conditioner should be replaced. Here are several 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 the majority of air conditioners run for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the midpoint. It’s smart to begin preparing for air conditioning installation before it wears out so you aren’t roasting while you’re waiting for a replacement.
Reliability
How dependable is your air conditioner? Does it cool dependably, even on the hottest days? Or is it regularly malfunctioning? When your air conditioner is less reliable it’s time to start preparing to get an updated one.
Repair Expenses
Over your air conditioner’s lifetime, it’s normal for it to need several small repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the cost of a new air conditioner, it’s recommended to just replace it.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner includes a SEER rating, which rates how proficiently it uses electricity to create cooling. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at least 13 SEER per federal guidelines. 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 bigger SEER ratings are typically costlier but could 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 on? Or are you continuously turning down the temperature to remain cool? An older air conditioner might have trouble keeping your home cool because of lower efficiency. A new air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can lower high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of operating on high all the time, these air conditioners run at multiple speeds to fine-tune your comfort.
Noise
Your air conditioner should deliver cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is annoying you, ask us about installing 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
Adding a smart thermostat is a wise approach to keep up with energy efficiency, with very little effort required from you. And, depending on the rebates available by your utility company, you might be able to get a free smart thermostat or get one for very little. Many 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 alter temps accordingly.
If you use an outdated air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Upgrading your air conditioner is a smart approach to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.
Refrigerant Style
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it potentially runs on Freon®. Also referred to 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 uses R-22 by reviewing the sticker on the outside unit, which will include the refrigerant type.
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 since Freon is only available in limited, recycled amounts.
Newer air conditioners have Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just add Puron in a Freon air conditioner, since pressure requirements are different.
Our Professionals Make Air Conditioning Installation Hassle-Free
If you’re still trying to decide 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 add up over time.
We know that air conditioner cost is your first question. That’s why collaborating with Tri City Fuel & Heating Co., Inc. for air conditioning installation in West Columbia and surrounding areas is stress-free and affordable. Our pros 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.
Get in touch with us at 803-265-4208 to request your free, no-pressure estimate today!