Should I Replace My 15-Year-Old Air Conditioner?

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With adequate maintenance, your air conditioner will deliver worry-free service for a long time. But, like any other machine in your house, it will ultimately need to be replaced. Knowing when to install a new one is important to avoid expensive repairs, costly electrical bills, and interrupted comfort.

When it includes being cool and your residence’s energy efficiency, our Air Houston Mechanical LLC pros have your best interests at the forefront. There’s a lot that goes into figuring out when your air conditioner requires replacement. Here are a couple of aspects 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 center point. It’s wise to get started prepping for air conditioning installation before it wears out so you aren’t sweating while you’re waiting for installation.

Reliability

How trustworthy is your air conditioner? Does it cool well, even on the warmest days? Or is it frequently breaking down? When your air conditioner is less reliable it’s time to begin thinking about getting an upgraded one.

Repair Bills

Over your air conditioner’s lifetime, it’s normal for it to need a few little repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the cost of a new air conditioner, it’s smarter to just get a new one.

Energy Efficiency

Every air conditioner has a SEER rating, which rates how well it uses electricity to make cooling. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at least 13 SEER per federal mandates. 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 typically costlier but could 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 extra rebates.

Comfort

Are you comfortable when your air conditioner is on? Or are you constantly dialing down the temperature to keep cool? An older air conditioner may struggle to keep your home comfortable as a result of decreased efficiency. A new air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can minimize high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of running at full blast constantly, these air conditioners work at multiple speeds to adapt to your comfort.

Noise

Your air conditioner should provide the cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is a concern, call us about upgrading to a variable-speed air conditioner. Many of these air conditioners cool at a sound level that’s like an everyday conversation.

Smart Thermostat Compatibility

Getting a smart thermostat is a smart approach to staying on top of energy efficiency, with not much 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 very little. The majority of these thermostats can learn from your temperature preferences and then make an energy-efficient schedule to match. They also know when you’re at home or away and alter temps accordingly.

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

Refrigerant Type

If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it potentially relies on Freon®. Also known as 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 checking the sticker on the outside unit, which will include the refrigerant style.

If your air conditioner is operating fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever develops a refrigerant leak, fixing the problem will be pricey. That’s since Freon is only available in reduced, 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 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 lead to 25–40% in energy savings! And those savings can add up over time.

We realize that air conditioner cost is your number one question. That’s why partnering with Air Houston Mechanical LLC for air conditioning installation in Huffman and surrounding areas is easy and affordable. Our pros will help you select the right solution 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 accommodate your budget.

Call us at (832) 501-3419 to request your free, no-pressure estimate right away!

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