With adequate upkeep, your air conditioner will offer worry-free cooling for years. But, just like any other appliance in your home, it will eventually need to be replaced. Knowing when to get a new one is important to avoid pricey repairs, higher energy bills and interruptions to your comfort.

When it includes being cool and your house’s energy efficiency, our West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. specialists have your best interests at heart. There’s a lot that goes into deciding when your air conditioner needs to be replaced. Here are a few points you should consider when you’re thinking about upgrading your 15-year-old air conditioner.

Age

Most of the time, the Department of Energy says many air conditioners run for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the midpoint. It’s smart to start preparing for air conditioning installation before it goes out so you aren’t sweating while you’re waiting for a replacement.

Trustworthiness

How dependable is your air conditioner? Does it cool well, even on the toastiest days? Or is it frequently malfunctioning? When your air conditioner starts becoming less dependable it’s time to initiate considering getting an updated one.

Repair Expenses

Over your air conditioner’s life cycle, it’s normal for it to need several minor 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 includes a SEER rating, which rates how proficiently it consumes electricity to make 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 becomes less efficient as it gets older.

As of 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 typically costlier but could pay for themselves over the years through improved energy savings. And purchasing an energy-efficient air conditioner, especially one that’s an ENERGY STAR® air conditioner, can make you eligible for extra rebates.

Comfort

Are you cool when your air conditioner is working? Or are you continuously dialing down the temperature to remain cool? An aging air conditioner may have problems keeping your residence comfy as a result of reduced efficiency. A new air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can minimize high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of cooling at full speed all the time, 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 bothering you, ask us about getting a variable-speed air conditioner. Many of these air conditioners operate at a sound level that’s comparable to a regular conversation.

Smart Thermostat Compatibility

Getting a smart thermostat is a smart method to maximize your energy efficiency, with minimal effort needed 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 very little. Most of these thermostats can learn from your temperature preferences and then create an energy-efficient schedule to match. They also know when you’re at home or away and change temps as necessary.

If you have an older air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Getting a new air conditioner is a smart method to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.

Refrigerant Type

If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it probably runs on Freon®. Also known as R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being manufactured because of its bad 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 show the refrigerant type.

If your air conditioner is working fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever experiences a refrigerant leak, solving the problem will be pricey. That’s due to the fact Freon is only available in limited, recycled amounts.

Newer air conditioners have Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just add Puron in a Freon air conditioner, since pressure requirements are different.

Our Techs Make Air Conditioning Installation Stress-Free

If you’re still debating 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 add up as time passes.

We are aware that air conditioner cost is your top question. That’s why partnering with West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. for air conditioning installation in West Jefferson and surrounding areas is easy and affordable. Our technicians 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 614-879-9091 to request your free, no-pressure estimate today!