With adequate maintenance, your air conditioner will offer worry-free cooling for many years. But, like any other appliance in your residence, it will ultimately need replacement. Knowing when to replace it is key to avoid costly repairs, expensive energy bills and interrupted comfort.
When it includes being cool and your home’s energy efficiency, our Pepper AC & Htg Inc specialists are looking out for your best interests. There’s a lot that goes into figuring out when your air conditioner requires replacement. Here are a couple of aspects you should consider when you’re thinking about updating 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 halfway point. It’s smart to get started preparing for air conditioning installation before it fails so you aren’t sweating while you’re waiting for a new one.
Trustworthiness
How trustworthy is your air conditioner? Does it cool reliably, even on the toastiest days? Or is it regularly breaking down? When your air conditioner starts becoming less dependable it’s time to get started considering getting an updated one.
Repair Expenses
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 recommended to just get a new one.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner includes a SEER rating, which measures how well it consumes electricity to create cold air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at least 13 SEER per federal rules. However, your air conditioner loses efficiency as it gets older.
Now, 15–18 SEER is a popular ranking, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with greater SEER ratings are often pricier but may pay for themselves over time 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 added rebates.
Comfort
Are you cool when your air conditioner is working? Or are you continuously dialing down the temperature to keep cool? An aging air conditioner could have trouble keeping your home comfy due to decreased efficiency. A modern air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can reduce high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of running at full speed continuously, these air conditioners work at multiple speeds to fine-tune your comfort.
Noise
Your air conditioner should provide cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is bothering you, check with us about getting a variable-speed air conditioner. The majority 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 good method to stay on top of energy efficiency, with minimal effort required 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 pick up on your temperature preferences and then create an energy-efficient schedule to match. They also know when you’re at home or out and about and change temperatures 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 Style
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it potentially uses Freon®. Also known as 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 runs on R-22 by looking at the sticker on the outside unit, which will include the refrigerant style.
If your air conditioner is running fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever has a refrigerant leak, solving the problem will be expensive. That’s because Freon is only available in decreased, recycled amounts.
Newer air conditioners use Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just put Puron in a Freon air conditioner, because pressure requirements are different.
Our Technicians Make Air Conditioning Installation Easy
If you’re still debating whether you should replace your 15-year-old air conditioner within the immediate future, 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 the years.
We know that air conditioner cost is your number one question. That’s why partnering with Pepper AC & Htg Inc for air conditioning installation in Justin and surrounding areas is simple and affordable. Our technicians will help you select the right model for your needs and then discuss 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 940-202-1184 to request your free, no-pressure estimate now!