With adequate upkeep, your air conditioner will offer worry-free performance for many years. But, similar to any other machine in your residence, it will ultimately need to be upgraded. Knowing when to install a new one is key to prevent pricey repairs, expensive energy bills and comfort disruptions.
When it includes keeping cool and your home’s energy efficiency, our Lycoming Heating Company professionals are looking out for your best interests. There’s a lot that goes into deciding when your air conditioner should be replaced. Here are a few points you should consider when you’re thinking about updating your 15-year-old air conditioner.
Age
Typically, 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 begin preparing for air conditioning installation before it wears out so you aren’t sweating while you’re waiting for a new one.
Reliability
How trustworthy is your air conditioner? Does it cool dependably, even on the hottest days? Or is it routinely breaking down? When your air conditioner becomes less dependable it’s time to get started thinking about getting an upgraded one.
Repair Expenses
Over your air conditioner’s lifetime, it’s anticipated for it to need a few minor repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the price of a new air conditioner, it’s recommended to just get a new one.
Energy Efficiency
Every air conditioner has a SEER rating, which measures how well it expends electricity to produce 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.
As of now, 15–18 SEER is a popular number, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with higher SEER ratings are usually pricier but could pay for themselves over their life span through improved energy savings. And getting an energy-efficient air conditioner, especially one that’s an ENERGY STAR® air conditioner, can make you eligible for added rebates.
Comfort
Are you cool when your air conditioner is working? Or are you continuously dialing down the temperature to keep cool? An aging air conditioner may have problems keeping your residence comfy as a result of reduced efficiency. A modern air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can lower high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of running at full speed constantly, these air conditioners run at multiple speeds to adjust your comfort.
Noise
Your air conditioner should provide cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is a concern, check with us about upgrading to a variable-speed air conditioner. The majority of these air conditioners run at a sound level that’s like a regular conversation.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
Installing a smart thermostat is a smart way to stay on top of energy efficiency, with not much 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 develop an energy-efficient schedule to match. They also know when you’re at home or out and about and alter settings accordingly.
If you have an outdated air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Installing a new air conditioner is a smart way to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.
Refrigerant Kind
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it probably runs on Freon®. Also referred to as R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being made due to its bad effects on the ozone layer. You can see if your air conditioner runs on R-22 by looking at the sticker on the outside unit, which will list the refrigerant type.
If your air conditioner is working fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever develops a refrigerant leak, fixing the problem will be costly. That’s due to the fact Freon is only available in decreased, recycled amounts.
Newer air conditioners use Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just add 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 within the immediate future, think about 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 really build as time goes by.
We realize that air conditioner cost is your top question. That’s why collaborating with Lycoming Heating Company for air conditioning installation in Williamsport and surrounding areas is simple and affordable. Our pros will help you find 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 work with your budget.
Call us at 570-326-4450 to request your free, no-pressure estimate now!