With adequate maintenance, your air conditioner will offer worry-free service for a long time. But, just like any other machine in your home, it will eventually need to be updated. Knowing when to replace it is key to skip costly repairs, expensive utility bills and interrupted comfort.
When it includes staying cool and your home’s energy efficiency, our Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning pros are looking out for your best interests. There’s a lot that goes into deciding when your air conditioner needs to be replaced. Here are a few 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 run for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the center point. It’s recommended to start planning for air conditioning installation before it wears out so you aren’t sweltering while you’re waiting for a new one.
Reliability
How dependable is your air conditioner? Does it cool well, even on the toastiest days? Or is it routinely breaking down? When your air conditioner is less reliable it’s time to start thinking about getting an updated one.
Repair Expenses
Over your air conditioner’s life cycle, it’s anticipated for it to need several little repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the expenses of a new air conditioner, it’s wiser to just replace it.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner has a SEER rating, which ranks how efficiently it uses electricity to make cold air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be a minimum of 13 SEER to meet federal rules. However, your air conditioner becomes less efficient as it ages.
Now, 15–18 SEER is a popular number, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with higher SEER ratings are often more expensive but could pay for themselves over time 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 additional rebates.
Comfort
Are you comfy when your air conditioner is running? Or are you continuously switching the temperature to stay cool? An old air conditioner could have trouble keeping your house comfortable as a result of decreased efficiency. An updated air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can minimize high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of running at full speed constantly, these air conditioners work at multiple speeds to adjust your comfort.
Noise
Your air conditioner should provide cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is bothering you, check with 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
Getting a smart thermostat is a good method to maximize your energy efficiency, with not much effort needed 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 pick up on your temperature preferences and then develop an energy-efficient schedule to match. They also know when you’re at home or away and alter temperatures as necessary.
If you use an older air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Upgrading your air conditioner is a smart method to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.
Refrigerant Kind
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it potentially uses Freon®. Also referred to as R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being produced due to its bad effects on the ozone layer. You can see if your air conditioner has R-22 by checking the sticker on the outside unit, which will show the refrigerant style.
If your air conditioner is running fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever has a refrigerant leak, solving the problem will be costly. That’s due to the fact Freon is only available in decreased, recycled amounts.
Newer air conditioners use Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just add Puron in a Freon air conditioner, because pressure requirements are different.
Our Techs Make Air Conditioning Installation Stress-Free
If you’re still trying to decide whether you should replace your 15-year-old air conditioner soon, consider this. The Department of Energy says doing air conditioning replacement for a 10-year-old model can lead to 25–40% in energy savings! And those savings can really accumulate as time goes by.
We know that air conditioner cost is your number one question. That’s why collaborating with Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning for air conditioning installation in Omaha and surrounding areas is simple and affordable. Our technicians will help you select the right option 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 402-509-5940 to request your free, no-pressure estimate today!