With proper upkeep, your air conditioner will offer worry-free performance for a long time. But, similar to any other machine in your residence, it will eventually need to be replaced. Knowing when to get a new one is essential to skip pricey repairs, higher electrical bills and interrupted comfort.
When it comes to staying cool and your house’s energy efficiency, our I-Deal HVAC pros have your best interests at the forefront. There’s a lot that goes into figuring out when your air conditioner should be replaced. Here are a few aspects you should consider when you’re thinking about replacing your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
Typically, 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 smart to get started preparing for air conditioning installation before it wears out so you aren’t roasting while you’re waiting for a replacement.
Trustworthiness
How dependable is your air conditioner? Does it cool well, even on the warmest days? Or is it routinely breaking down? When your air conditioner starts becoming less trustworthy it’s time to begin preparing to get a new one.
Repair Expenses
Over your air conditioner’s life cycle, it’s anticipated for it to need several minor repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the cost of a new air conditioner, it’s smarter to just install a new one.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner comes with a SEER rating, which rates how well it consumes electricity to produce cooling. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at minimum 13 SEER per federal guidelines. However, your air conditioner becomes inefficient as it gets older.
Today, 15–18 SEER is a popular range, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with greater SEER ratings are typically costlier but might pay for themselves over their life span through improved 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 running? Or are you often dialing down the temperature to stay cool? An older air conditioner might struggle to keep your residence comfy due to decreased efficiency. A modern air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can lower high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of operating at full blast continuously, these air conditioners operate at multiple speeds to adapt your comfort.
Noise
Your air conditioner should give cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is annoying you, call us about installing a variable-speed air conditioner. Many of these air conditioners operate at a sound level that’s similar to a regular conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Installing a smart thermostat is a smart method to stay on top of energy efficiency, with minimal effort necessary from you. And, depending on the rebates provided by your utility company, you might be able to get a free smart thermostat or get one for not much. The majority of these thermostats can learn from 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 temperatures as needed.
If you use an aging 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 potentially relies on Freon®. Also called R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being manufactured because of its negative effects on the ozone layer. You can see if your air conditioner uses R-22 by reviewing the sticker on the outside unit, which will list the refrigerant style.
If your air conditioner is running 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 have Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just put Puron in a Freon air conditioner, because pressure requirements are different.
Our Pros Make Air Conditioning Installation Stress-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 passes.
We know that air conditioner cost is your first question. That’s why partnering with I-Deal HVAC for air conditioning installation in Albuquerque and surrounding areas is simple and affordable. Our technicians will help you choose 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 work with your budget.
Reach us at 505-445-1250 to request your free, no-pressure estimate now!