With proper upkeep, your air conditioner will deliver worry-free cooling for many years. But, like any other thing in your home, it will ultimately need to be upgraded. Knowing when to install a new one is essential to avoid pricey repairs, costly utility bills and interruptions to your comfort.
When it involves staying cool and your residence’s energy efficiency, our CNR Air Conditioning Inc professionals have your best interests at the forefront. There’s a lot that goes into figuring out when your air conditioner requires replacement. Here are several aspects you should consider when you’re thinking about replacing your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
Typically, the Department of Energy says the majority of air conditioners run for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the center point. It’s wise to begin preparing for air conditioning installation before it wears out so you aren’t roasting while you’re waiting for a new one.
Trustworthiness
How dependable is your air conditioner? Does it cool dependably, even on the warmest days? Or is it routinely breaking down? When your air conditioner becomes less dependable it’s time to begin considering getting an updated one.
Repair Costs
Over your air conditioner’s life span, it’s anticipated for it to need a handful of small repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the expenses of a new air conditioner, it’s recommended to just get a new one.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner has a SEER rating, which measures how proficiently it uses 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 loses efficiency as it ages.
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 usually more expensive but could pay for themselves over the years through improved 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 constantly dialing down the temperature to remain cool? An older air conditioner may have trouble keeping your home comfortable because of reduced efficiency. An updated air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can reduce high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of operating on high continuously, these air conditioners operate at multiple speeds to adjust your comfort.
Noise
Your air conditioner should deliver cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is annoying you, ask us about getting a variable-speed air conditioner. Many of these air conditioners operate at a sound level that’s like a regular conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Adding a smart thermostat is a good method to maximize your energy efficiency, with very little 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 a greatly reduced price. 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 out and about and adjust settings as needed.
If you have an outdated air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Upgrading your air conditioner is a surefire approach 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 negative effects on the ozone layer. You can see if your air conditioner has R-22 by looking at the sticker on the outside unit, which will show the refrigerant kind.
If your air conditioner is running fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever experiences a refrigerant leak, fixing the problem will be pricey. That’s since Freon is only available in reduced, recycled amounts.
Newer air conditioners use Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just put Puron in a Freon air conditioner, as pressure requirements are different.
Our Pros Make Air Conditioning Installation Stress-Free
If you’re still trying to decide whether you should replace your 15-year-old air conditioner now, 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 build as time passes.
We realize that air conditioner cost is your first question. That’s why collaborating with CNR Air Conditioning Inc for air conditioning installation in Naples and surrounding areas is stress-free and affordable. Our techs will help you choose the right model 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 fit your budget.
Call us at 239-241-5318 to request your free, no-pressure estimate today!