With proper service, your air conditioner will deliver worry-free performance for many years. But, similar to any other thing in your house, it will ultimately need replacement. Knowing when to install a new one is important to avoid pricey repairs, expensive utility bills and interrupted comfort.
When it comes to staying cool and your home’s energy efficiency, our Phelps Heating & Cooling professionals have your best interests at heart. There’s a lot that goes into deciding when your air conditioner should be replaced. Here are a couple of things you should consider when you’re thinking about upgrading your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
Most of the time, the Department of Energy says many air conditioners run for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the halfway point. It’s smart to start planning for air conditioning installation before it fails so you aren’t sweltering while you’re waiting for installation.
Trustworthiness
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 get started thinking about getting an updated one.
Repair Costs
Over your air conditioner’s life span, it’s anticipated for it to need a few small 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 comes with a SEER rating, which measures how well it expends electricity to make cooling. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at least 13 SEER to meet federal mandates. However, your air conditioner becomes inefficient as it ages.
Today, 15–18 SEER is a popular ranking, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with bigger SEER ratings are typically costlier but may pay for themselves over time 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 additional rebates.
Comfort
Are you cool when your air conditioner is running? Or are you often dialing down the temperature to remain cool? An old air conditioner may have trouble keeping your house comfy because of lower efficiency. A modern air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can minimize 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 provide cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is a concern, ask us about upgrading to a variable-speed air conditioner. The majority of these air conditioners run at a sound level that’s like a regular conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Installing a smart thermostat is a wise way to maximize your energy efficiency, with not much effort required from you. And, depending on the rebates provided by your utility company, you may be able to get a free smart thermostat or get one for very little. 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 out and about and adjust settings accordingly.
If you rely on an older air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Upgrading your air conditioner is a wise way to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.
Refrigerant Kind
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it probably uses Freon®. Also referred to as R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being manufactured due to its negative 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 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 expensive. That’s due to the fact Freon is only available in reduced, 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 Easy
If you’re still trying to decide whether you should replace your 15-year-old air conditioner now, think over 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 build as time goes by.
We know that air conditioner cost is your number one question. That’s why collaborating with Phelps Heating & Cooling for air conditioning installation in Hodgenville and surrounding areas is stress-free and affordable. Our professionals 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 accommodate your budget.
Reach us at 270-358-3167 to request your free, no-pressure estimate now!