With proper upkeep, your air conditioner will deliver worry-free service for many years. But, similar to any other machine in your home, it will at some point need to be replaced. Knowing when to replace it is key to prevent costly repairs, higher utility bills and interruptions to your comfort.
When it includes being cool and your home’s energy efficiency, our KDM Service Corporation specialists have your best interests at the forefront. There’s a lot that goes into deciding when your air conditioner requires replacement. Here are a couple of points you should consider when you’re thinking about updating your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
On average, 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 midpoint. It’s recommended to begin planning for air conditioning installation before it fails so you aren’t sweltering while you’re waiting for a replacement.
Trustworthiness
How trustworthy 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 dependable it’s time to begin considering getting a new one.
Repair Expenses
Over your air conditioner’s lifetime, it’s anticipated for it to need several small repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the price of a new air conditioner, it’s wiser to just get a new one.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner comes with a SEER rating, which ranks 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 rules. However, your air conditioner becomes less efficient as it gets older.
As of now, 15–18 SEER is a popular range, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with higher SEER ratings are typically pricier but might pay for themselves over the years 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 added rebates.
Comfort
Are you comfortable when your air conditioner is running? Or are you constantly turning down the temperature to keep cool? An old air conditioner may have trouble keeping your home comfortable because of reduced efficiency. A modern air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can reduce high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of operating at full blast constantly, these air conditioners run at multiple speeds to adjust your comfort.
Noise
Your air conditioner should provide cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is a concern, ask us about upgrading to a variable-speed air conditioner. Most 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 good way to keep up with energy efficiency, with very little effort needed 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 a greatly reduced price. Most 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 away and adjust temperatures accordingly.
If you rely on 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 Style
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 manufactured due to its negative effects on the ozone layer. You can see if your air conditioner uses R-22 by checking the sticker on the outside unit, which will include the refrigerant type.
If your air conditioner is working fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever experiences a refrigerant leak, fixing the problem will be costly. That’s since 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 Pros 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 lead to 25–40% in energy savings! And those savings can really accumulate as time passes.
We know that air conditioner cost is your number one question. That’s why working with KDM Service Corporation for air conditioning installation in Tuscaloosa and surrounding areas is stress-free and affordable. Our professionals will help you choose 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.
Call us at 205-208-8090 to request your free, no-pressure estimate today!