With ample upkeep, your air conditioner will offer worry-free service for a long time. But, similar to any other machine in your home, it will ultimately need to be updated. Knowing when to get a new one is important to prevent costly repairs, higher energy bills and interruptions to your comfort.
When it includes being cool and your house’s energy efficiency, our J.L. Brady Company LLC pros are looking out for your best interests. There’s a lot that goes into determining when your air conditioner needs to be replaced. Here are several aspects you should consider when you’re thinking about updating your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
Typically, 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 recommended to get started planning for air conditioning installation before it wears out so you aren’t sweating while you’re waiting for installation.
Trustworthiness
How reliable is your air conditioner? Does it cool dependably, even on the warmest days? Or is it regularly needing repairs? When your air conditioner is less reliable it’s time to start preparing to get an updated one.
Repair Expenses
Over your air conditioner’s life span, it’s anticipated for it to need several little repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the cost of a new air conditioner, it’s wiser to just install a new one.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner has a SEER rating, which rates how well it expends electricity to create cold air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at least 13 SEER according to federal guidelines. However, your air conditioner loses efficiency 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 higher SEER ratings are usually more expensive but might pay for themselves over their life span through more energy savings. And purchasing an energy-efficient air conditioner, especially one that’s an ENERGY STAR® air conditioner, can make you eligible for additional rebates.
Comfort
Are you cool when your air conditioner is working? Or are you constantly dialing down the temperature to stay cool? An aging air conditioner might have trouble keeping your residence comfortable because of lower efficiency. A modern air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can minimize high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of operating at full speed continuously, these air conditioners operate at multiple speeds to adapt your comfort.
Noise
Your air conditioner should deliver cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is a concern, check with us about installing a variable-speed air conditioner. Most of these air conditioners operate at a sound level that’s like a regular conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Adding a smart thermostat is a smart method to stay on top of energy efficiency, with not much effort required from you. And, depending on the rebates offered by your utility company, you could be able to get a free smart thermostat or get one for not much. 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 alter temps as necessary.
If you rely on an aging air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Getting a new air conditioner is a wise method to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.
Refrigerant Style
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it probably relies on Freon®. Also known as R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being produced 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 type.
If your air conditioner is working fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever has a refrigerant leak, solving the problem will be pricey. That’s due to the fact Freon is only available in decreased, recycled amounts.
Newer air conditioners use Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just use Puron in a Freon air conditioner, since pressure requirements are different.
Our Professionals Make Air Conditioning Installation Easy
If you’re still deciding 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 provide 25–40% in energy savings! And those savings can really accumulate as time passes.
We realize that air conditioner cost is your number one question. That’s why partnering with J.L. Brady Company LLC for air conditioning installation in Moline and surrounding areas is stress-free and affordable. Our pros will help you find 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 work with your budget.
Get in touch with us at 309-517-7511 to request your free, no-pressure estimate today!