With adequate upkeep, your air conditioner will deliver worry-free performance for a long time. But, like any other machine in your house, it will eventually need to be updated. Knowing when to install a new one is essential to avoid pricey repairs, higher utility bills and interruptions to your comfort.
When it comes to keeping cool and your residence’s energy efficiency, our AZ Air Conditioning and Heating pros have your best interests at heart. 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 updating your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
On average, the Department of Energy says most air conditioners work for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the center point. 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.
Reliability
How trustworthy is your air conditioner? Does it cool reliably, even on the toastiest days? Or is it frequently breaking down? When your air conditioner becomes less dependable it’s time to get started considering getting an updated one.
Repair Bills
Over your air conditioner’s life span, it’s normal for it to need a handful of minor repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the expenses of a new air conditioner, it’s smarter to just replace it.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner comes with a SEER rating, which rates how efficiently it expends electricity to create cold air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at least 13 SEER per federal guidelines. However, your air conditioner loses efficiency 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 usually pricier but might pay for themselves over their life span through more energy savings. And installing an energy-efficient air conditioner, especially one that’s an ENERGY STAR® air conditioner, can make you eligible for extra rebates.
Comfort
Are you comfortable when your air conditioner is on? Or are you often turning down the temperature to stay cool? An aging air conditioner could have trouble keeping your residence cool as a result of decreased efficiency. A new air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can lower high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of cooling at full speed constantly, these air conditioners operate 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, check with us about installing a variable-speed air conditioner. Many of these air conditioners operate at a sound level that’s like a normal conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Adding a smart thermostat is a smart approach to keep up with energy efficiency, with very little 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 pick up on your temperature preferences and then make an energy-efficient schedule to match. They also know when you’re at home or away and alter temperatures as needed.
If you have an aging air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Installing a new air conditioner is a wise way to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.
Refrigerant Type
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it probably uses Freon®. Also called R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being made as a result of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. You can see if your air conditioner runs on R-22 by reviewing the sticker on the outside unit, which will show the refrigerant kind.
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 due to the fact Freon is only available in limited, recycled amounts.
Newer air conditioners run on Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just add Puron in a Freon air conditioner, because pressure requirements are different.
Our Technicians Make Air Conditioning Installation Easy
If you’re still deciding 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 accumulate over the years.
We realize that air conditioner cost is your number one question. That’s why collaborating with AZ Air Conditioning and Heating for air conditioning installation in Los Angeles and surrounding areas is stress-free and affordable. Our techs 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 accommodate your budget.
Get in touch with us at 800-296-5088 to request your free, no-pressure estimate right away!