With ample service, your air conditioner will provide worry-free performance for years. But, just like any other thing in your residence, it will eventually need to be updated. Knowing when to get a new one is key to prevent pricey repairs, higher utility bills and comfort disruptions.
When it comes to keeping cool and your house’s energy efficiency, our Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating professionals are looking out for your best interests. There’s a lot that goes into figuring out when your air conditioner should be replaced. Here are a couple of 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 most air conditioners last for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the midpoint. It’s wise to begin prepping for air conditioning installation before it wears out so you aren’t sweltering while you’re waiting for a new one.
Dependability
How trustworthy is your air conditioner? Does it cool dependably, even on the hottest days? Or is it frequently needing repairs? When your air conditioner becomes less dependable it’s time to get started preparing to get an updated 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 price of a new air conditioner, it’s wiser to just get a new one.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner includes a SEER rating, which rates how proficiently it expends electricity to create chilled air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at least 13 SEER per federal rules. However, your air conditioner loses efficiency as it ages.
Today, 15–18 SEER is a popular range, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with bigger SEER ratings are usually costlier but could pay for themselves over their life span 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 added rebates.
Comfort
Are you cool when your air conditioner is on? Or are you continuously switching the temperature to remain cool? An aging air conditioner could have trouble keeping your house comfy due to lower efficiency. A new air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can reduce high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of operating at full speed continuously, these air conditioners run at multiple speeds to adjust your comfort.
Noise
Your air conditioner should give cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is a concern, call us about upgrading to a variable-speed air conditioner. The majority of these air conditioners operate at a sound level that’s like an everyday conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Installing a smart thermostat is a wise way to maximize your energy efficiency, with not much effort needed from you. And, depending on the rebates offered by your utility company, you may be able to get a free smart thermostat or get one for a greatly reduced price. Most 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 change settings accordingly.
If you use an aging air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Getting a new air conditioner is a smart method to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.
Refrigerant Style
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it likely uses Freon®. Also called R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being made due to its negative effects on the ozone layer. You can see if your air conditioner uses R-22 by checking the sticker on the outside unit, which will include the refrigerant type.
If your air conditioner is operating fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever develops a refrigerant leak, repairing 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, because pressure requirements are different.
Our Pros Make Air Conditioning Installation Easy
If you’re still debating whether you should replace your 15-year-old air conditioner now, think about this. The Department of Energy says doing air conditioning replacement for a 10-year-old model can provide 25–40% in energy savings! And those savings can really build as time passes.
We are aware that air conditioner cost is your first question. That’s why working with Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating for air conditioning installation in Pella and surrounding areas is stress-free and affordable. Our techs will help you select 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.
Get in touch with us at 641-628-3621 to request your free, no-pressure estimate now!