With ample service, your air conditioner will deliver worry-free service for a long time. But, just like any other machine in your residence, it will ultimately need to be upgraded. Knowing when to replace it is key to skip costly repairs, costly utility bills and interrupted comfort.
When it involves keeping cool and your residence’s energy efficiency, our Titan Heating & Air Conditioning professionals are looking out for your best interests. There’s a lot that goes into determining when your air conditioner should be replaced. Here are a few points you should consider when you’re thinking about updating your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
In most instances, the Department of Energy says most air conditioners work for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the midpoint. It’s wise to start preparing for air conditioning installation before it goes out so you aren’t sweating while you’re waiting for a new one.
Trustworthiness
How reliable is your air conditioner? Does it cool reliably, even on the hottest days? Or is it regularly needing repairs? When your air conditioner starts becoming less trustworthy it’s time to begin considering getting an upgraded one.
Repair Costs
Over your air conditioner’s life span, 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 recommended to just install a new one.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner comes with a SEER rating, which measures how efficiently it consumes electricity to produce cooling. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at minimum 13 SEER according to federal mandates. However, your air conditioner becomes less efficient as it gets older.
As of now, 15–18 SEER is a popular number, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with greater SEER ratings are typically pricier but may 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 additional rebates.
Comfort
Are you comfortable when your air conditioner is working? Or are you continuously turning down the temperature to keep cool? An older air conditioner may have trouble keeping your home comfy as a result of lower efficiency. A modern air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can reduce high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of operating on high constantly, these air conditioners work at multiple speeds to adapt your comfort.
Noise
Your air conditioner should deliver 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 cool at a sound level that’s comparable to a normal conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Adding a smart thermostat is a smart method to keep up with energy efficiency, with not much effort needed from you. And, depending on the rebates available 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 create an energy-efficient schedule to match. They also know when you’re at home or gone and alter temps as needed.
If you rely on an outdated 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 likely relies on Freon®. Also referred to as R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being made because of its negative effects on the ozone layer. You can see if your air conditioner runs on R-22 by checking the sticker on the outside unit, which will include the refrigerant style.
If your air conditioner is working 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 reduced, 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 Professionals Make Air Conditioning Installation Easy
If you’re still debating 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 over time.
We are aware that air conditioner cost is your first question. That’s why collaborating with Titan Heating & Air Conditioning for air conditioning installation in Central Point and surrounding areas is simple and affordable. Our pros will help you find the right solution 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 accommodate your budget.
Get in touch with us at 541-286-6617 to request your free, no-pressure estimate right away!