Purchasing an air conditioner is one of the biggest investments you’ll make in your home, so you’ll want to wait until the time is right before you replace your current unit. So how do you know when repairs aren’t worth it anymore and it’s time for an air conditioner replacement?
4 things to consider when deciding if it’s time for an air conditioner replacement
- Age of your current unit. One of the biggest things to take into account when deciding whether or
- SEER rating of your current unit. Air conditioners with high
SEER ratings can save a lot of energy and are less expensive to operate. New energy
standards went into place for air conditioners just six years ago, and
new units are now available with SEER ratings up into the 20’s.
If your current unit’s SEER ratings is below 13, you can make up
for much of the cost of a new installation with the long-term energy savings
of a more efficient unit. - Type of refrigerant used. As the
R-22 refrigerant phase out continues, the cost of R-22 will get more and more expensive. By switching
to a unit that uses
R410a refrigerant, you can avoid the price increases associated with R-22 while also helping
the environment and lowering your operating costs - Condition of current unit. How well is your current air conditioner performing? Is it making loud
noises? Are there hot and cold spots in your home? Have you noticed a
steady rise in your energy bills? These are all signs of an unhealthy
air conditioner. Have your unit inspected by a
NATE certified technician and weigh the costs of potential repairs against the long-term cost-saving
benefits of installing a new unit.
not to get an air conditioner replacement is the age of your current unit.
Air conditioners go through a lot of wear and tear over the years, and
they typically have a lifespan of about 15 years. If your unit is reaching
the end of its life and you’re faced with expensive repairs, it
will probably more cost-effective to replace it with a new unit.
If you have any questions about an air conditioner replacement, or if you’d
like a cooling system serviced or installed in your home, contact Jerry
Kelly, your
St. Louis area heating and cooling company.