With ample maintenance, your air conditioner will offer worry-free cooling for years. But, just like any other thing in your house, it will eventually need replacement. Knowing when to get a new one is essential to prevent costly repairs, expensive electrical bills and interruptions to your comfort.
When it involves keeping cool and your house’s energy efficiency, our Stieferman Heating Company Inc professionals have your best interests at the forefront. There’s a lot that goes into determining when your air conditioner should be replaced. Here are a couple of aspects you should consider when you’re thinking about upgrading your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
In most instances, the Department of Energy says many air conditioners last for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the center point. It’s wise to start planning for air conditioning installation before it wears out so you aren’t sweltering while you’re waiting for a replacement.
Dependability
How trustworthy is your air conditioner? Does it cool dependably, even on the warmest days? Or is it routinely needing repairs? When your air conditioner starts becoming less trustworthy it’s time to begin considering getting a new one.
Repair Costs
Over your air conditioner’s lifetime, it’s anticipated for it to need several little repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the price of a new air conditioner, it’s recommended 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 chilled air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at least 13 SEER per federal laws. However, your air conditioner becomes less efficient as it gets older.
As of now, 15–18 SEER is a popular ranking, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with higher SEER ratings are typically costlier but may 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 extra rebates.
Comfort
Are you cool when your air conditioner is on? Or are you continuously dialing down the temperature to stay cool? An older air conditioner might have problems keeping your house cool because of 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 blast continuously, 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 annoying you, ask us about getting a variable-speed air conditioner. Most of these air conditioners run at a sound level that’s similar to a regular conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Getting a smart thermostat is a smart approach to maximize your energy efficiency, with minimal effort necessary from you. And, depending on the rebates available by your utility company, you could 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 create an energy-efficient schedule to match. They also know when you’re at home or gone and adjust temperatures accordingly.
If you have an outdated 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 likely runs on Freon®. Also referred to as 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 uses R-22 by looking at the sticker on the outside unit, which will list the refrigerant style.
If your air conditioner is working fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever experiences a refrigerant leak, solving 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 add Puron in a Freon air conditioner, because pressure requirements are different.
Our Technicians Make Air Conditioning Installation Hassle-Free
If you’re still debating whether you should replace your 15-year-old air conditioner within the immediate future, consider 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 add up as time goes by.
We know that air conditioner cost is your top question. That’s why working with Stieferman Heating Company Inc for air conditioning installation in Jefferson City and surrounding areas is simple and affordable. Our pros will help you find the right option 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 573-635-3547 to request your free, no-pressure estimate today!