With adequate service, your air conditioner will deliver worry-free service for many years. But, similar to any other thing in your residence, it will eventually need to be updated. Knowing when to replace it is key to skip costly repairs, expensive electrical bills and interrupted comfort.
When it includes being cool and your home’s energy efficiency, our J & J Air Conditioning professionals are looking out for your best interests. There’s a lot that goes into figuring out when your air conditioner requires replacement. Here are a couple of points you should consider when you’re thinking about replacing your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
Typically, the Department of Energy says many 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 preparing for air conditioning installation before it wears out so you aren’t sweating while you’re waiting for installation.
Reliability
How reliable is your air conditioner? Does it cool dependably, even on the hottest days? Or is it regularly needing repairs? When your air conditioner starts becoming less trustworthy it’s time to start thinking about getting an upgraded one.
Repair Expenses
Over your air conditioner’s lifetime, 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 recommended to just get a new one.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner has a SEER rating, which ranks how efficiently it uses electricity to make cooling. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at least 13 SEER per federal mandates. However, your air conditioner becomes less efficient as it ages.
As of now, 15–18 SEER is a popular range, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with greater SEER ratings are often more expensive but may pay for themselves over the years through more energy savings. And getting an energy-efficient air conditioner, especially one that’s an ENERGY STAR® air conditioner, can make you eligible for additional rebates.
Comfort
Are you comfortable when your air conditioner is on? Or are you often turning down the temperature to stay cool? An older air conditioner could struggle to keep your house comfy due to decreased efficiency. An updated air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can reduce high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of operating at full blast constantly, these air conditioners work at multiple speeds to adapt your comfort.
Noise
Your air conditioner should deliver cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is annoying you, check with us about getting a variable-speed air conditioner. Most of these air conditioners run at a sound level that’s comparable to a regular conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Adding a smart thermostat is a wise approach to stay on top of energy efficiency, with minimal effort necessary 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 not much. Many of these thermostats can pick up on 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 adjust settings accordingly.
If you rely on an older air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Installing a new air conditioner is a surefire way to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.
Refrigerant Type
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it probably runs on Freon®. Also referred to as R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being made because 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 show the refrigerant style.
If your air conditioner is operating fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever experiences a refrigerant leak, solving the problem will be pricey. That’s because Freon is only available in limited, recycled amounts.
Newer air conditioners use Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just use Puron in a Freon air conditioner, as pressure requirements are different.
Our Technicians Make Air Conditioning Installation Hassle-Free
If you’re still deciding 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 as time goes by.
We realize that air conditioner cost is your number one question. That’s why working with J & J Air Conditioning for air conditioning installation in Eastland and surrounding areas is easy and affordable. Our pros will help you choose the right model for your needs and then review 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.
Reach us at 254-355-3833 to request your free, no-pressure estimate today!