With adequate service, your air conditioner will provide worry-free cooling for a long time. But, just like any other thing in your home, it will eventually need to be upgraded. Knowing when to install a new one is essential to prevent costly repairs, costly utility bills and comfort disruptions.
When it comes to staying cool and your house’s energy efficiency, our Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc professionals have your best interests at the forefront. 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 replacing your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
Most of the time, the Department of Energy says the majority of air conditioners work for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the midpoint. It’s wise to begin preparing for air conditioning installation before it fails so you aren’t roasting while you’re waiting for a new one.
Trustworthiness
How dependable is your air conditioner? Does it cool dependably, even on the toastiest days? Or is it frequently malfunctioning? When your air conditioner starts becoming less dependable it’s time to begin thinking about getting an updated one.
Repair Bills
Over your air conditioner’s life cycle, it’s normal for it to need a handful of little repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the expenses of a new air conditioner, it’s recommended to just replace it.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner includes a SEER rating, which ranks how proficiently it expends electricity to make cold air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be a minimum of 13 SEER to meet federal laws. However, your air conditioner loses efficiency as it gets older.
Now, 15–18 SEER is a popular number, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with greater SEER ratings are usually more expensive but may pay for themselves over the years through increased energy savings. And getting an energy-efficient air conditioner, especially one that’s an ENERGY STAR® air conditioner, can make you eligible for extra rebates.
Comfort
Are you comfortable when your air conditioner is working? Or are you continuously turning down the temperature to stay cool? An aging air conditioner could have problems keeping your house comfy because of decreased efficiency. An updated air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can reduce high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of running on high constantly, these air conditioners run at multiple speeds to adapt your comfort.
Noise
Your air conditioner should provide cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is bothering you, call us about upgrading to a variable-speed air conditioner. Most of these air conditioners run at a sound level that’s similar to an everyday conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Getting a smart thermostat is a good method to stay on top of energy efficiency, with very little effort necessary 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 very little. Many of these thermostats can adjust to your temperature preferences and then develop an energy-efficient schedule to match. They also know when you’re at home or away and adjust settings as needed.
If you have an older 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 Type
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it probably relies on Freon®. Also called R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being made as a result of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. You can see if your air conditioner has R-22 by looking at the sticker on the outside unit, which will list the refrigerant kind.
If your air conditioner is operating fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever develops a refrigerant leak, solving the problem will be expensive. That’s due to the fact Freon is only available in decreased, recycled amounts.
Newer air conditioners run on Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just add Puron in a Freon air conditioner, since pressure requirements are different.
Our Professionals Make Air Conditioning Installation Easy
If you’re still trying to decide 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 result in 25–40% in energy savings! And those savings can really build over the years.
We are aware that air conditioner cost is your top question. That’s why partnering with Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc for air conditioning installation in Wisconsin Rapids and surrounding areas is simple and affordable. Our pros 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.
Reach us at 715-301-0256 to request your free, no-pressure estimate now!