What's the Right Time to Replace My 15-Year-Old Air Conditioner?

With proper upkeep, your air conditioner will deliver worry-free performance for years. But, similar to any other thing in your house, it will ultimately need to be updated. Knowing when to replace it is key to prevent pricey repairs, higher utility bills and comfort disruptions.

When it includes being cool and your house’s energy efficiency, our Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning pros have your best interests at heart. There’s a lot that goes into deciding when your air conditioner should be replaced. 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 last for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the halfway point. It’s recommended to begin preparing for air conditioning installation before it wears out so you aren’t sweating while you’re waiting for a replacement.

Reliability

How reliable is your air conditioner? Does it cool dependably, even on the warmest days? Or is it routinely malfunctioning? When your air conditioner becomes less dependable it’s time to initiate considering getting an updated one.

Repair Costs

Over your air conditioner’s life cycle, it’s anticipated for it to need a few little repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the expenses of a new air conditioner, it’s wiser to just replace it.

Energy Efficiency

Every air conditioner comes with a SEER rating, which rates how efficiently it consumes electricity to create cold air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be a minimum of 13 SEER according to federal mandates. However, your air conditioner becomes less efficient as it wears out.

Today, 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 might pay for themselves over time through increased energy savings. And purchasing an energy-efficient air conditioner, especially one that’s an ENERGY STAR® air conditioner, can make you eligible for added rebates.

Comfort

Are you comfy when your air conditioner is on? Or are you continuously dialing down the temperature to remain cool? An old air conditioner may struggle to keep your home comfy due to reduced efficiency. An updated air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can reduce high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of cooling at full speed all the time, these air conditioners run at multiple speeds to adjust your comfort.

Noise

Your air conditioner should deliver 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 run at a sound level that’s like a regular conversation.

Smart Thermostat Compatibility

Getting a smart thermostat is a good approach to maximize your energy efficiency, with minimal effort needed from you. And, depending on the rebates offered by your utility company, you may be able to get a free smart thermostat or get one for a greatly reduced price. Many of these thermostats can pick up on your temperature preferences and then make an energy-efficient schedule to match. They also know when you’re at home or away and alter settings as necessary.

If you use 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 potentially runs on Freon®. Also known as R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being produced because of its bad effects on the ozone layer. You can see if your air conditioner runs on R-22 by checking the sticker on the outside unit, which will show the refrigerant kind.

If your air conditioner is operating fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever develops a refrigerant leak, repairing the problem will be pricey. 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 put Puron in a Freon air conditioner, because pressure requirements are different.

Our Technicians Make Air Conditioning Installation Hassle-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 accumulate as time passes.

We realize that air conditioner cost is your number one question. That’s why partnering with Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning for air conditioning installation in Warrenton and surrounding areas is simple and affordable. Our technicians will help you select the right solution 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 fit your budget.

Get in touch with us at 636-456-5041 to request your free, no-pressure estimate now!