With ample upkeep, your air conditioner will provide worry-free cooling for many years. But, similar to any other appliance in your house, it will ultimately need replacement. Knowing when to replace it is key to avoid pricey repairs, costly utility bills and comfort disruptions.
When it includes being cool and your residence’s energy efficiency, our Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. professionals have your best interests at heart. There’s a lot that goes into deciding when your air conditioner needs to be replaced. Here are several points you should consider when you’re thinking about replacing your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
Most of the time, the Department of Energy says the majority of air conditioners last for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the halfway point. It’s smart to start preparing for air conditioning installation before it fails so you aren’t sweltering while you’re waiting for installation.
Trustworthiness
How dependable is your air conditioner? Does it cool well, even on the toastiest days? Or is it regularly malfunctioning? When your air conditioner becomes less dependable it’s time to start considering getting an updated one.
Repair Expenses
Over your air conditioner’s lifetime, it’s anticipated for it to need a few small repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the price of a new air conditioner, it’s smarter to just install a new one.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner has a SEER rating, which rates how proficiently it uses electricity to produce cold air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at minimum 13 SEER according to federal rules. However, your air conditioner becomes inefficient as it wears out.
As of now, 15–18 SEER is a popular ranking, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with higher SEER ratings are often costlier but could pay for themselves over their life span through increased 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 comfy when your air conditioner is on? Or are you continuously dialing down the temperature to remain cool? An aging air conditioner could struggle to keep your house comfy because of lower 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 constantly, these air conditioners work at multiple speeds to adjust your comfort.
Noise
Your air conditioner should provide cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is annoying you, call us about getting a variable-speed air conditioner. Most 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 wise way to maximize your energy efficiency, with very little effort necessary from you. And, depending on the rebates provided by your utility company, you could be able to get a free smart thermostat or get one for not much. The majority 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 gone and alter settings as necessary.
If you rely on an outdated air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Installing a new air conditioner is a surefire method to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.
Refrigerant Style
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it likely runs 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 has R-22 by reviewing the sticker on the outside unit, which will list the refrigerant style.
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 costly. That’s due to the fact Freon is only available in limited, recycled amounts.
Newer air conditioners run on Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just use Puron in a Freon air conditioner, because 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 soon, 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 over the years.
We realize that air conditioner cost is your top question. That’s why partnering with Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. for air conditioning installation in Port Clinton and surrounding areas is easy and affordable. Our technicians will help you choose 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 419-465-8722 to request your free, no-pressure estimate now!