With ample upkeep, your air conditioner will deliver worry-free performance for years. But, just like any other machine in your residence, it will eventually need to be updated. Knowing when to install a new one is important to prevent pricey repairs, costly utility bills and interrupted comfort.

When it involves being cool and your home’s energy efficiency, our Kilbourne Heating & AC specialists have your best interests at heart. There’s a lot that goes into figuring out when your air conditioner needs to be replaced. Here are several points you should consider when you’re thinking about replacing your 15-year-old air conditioner.

Age

Typically, the Department of Energy says most 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 preparing for air conditioning installation before it fails so you aren’t sweating while you’re waiting for a new one.

Dependability

How reliable is your air conditioner? Does it cool well, even on the hottest days? Or is it regularly malfunctioning? When your air conditioner is less trustworthy it’s time to start preparing to get an updated one.

Repair Expenses

Over your air conditioner’s life span, it’s anticipated 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 get a new one.

Energy Efficiency

Every air conditioner comes with a SEER rating, which rates how well it consumes electricity to create cold air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at least 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 bigger SEER ratings are often costlier but could 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 additional rebates.

Comfort

Are you cool when your air conditioner is on? Or are you often dialing down the temperature to keep cool? An old air conditioner could have problems keeping your house comfy due to reduced efficiency. A new air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can reduce high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of cooling at full speed continuously, these air conditioners run at multiple speeds to fine-tune your comfort.

Noise

Your air conditioner should give cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is a concern, ask us about installing a variable-speed air conditioner. Many of these air conditioners run at a sound level that’s comparable to a regular conversation.

Smart Thermostat Compatibility

Getting a smart thermostat is a smart approach to maximize your energy efficiency, with not much effort necessary from you. And, depending on the rebates available from your utility company, you might be able to get a free smart thermostat or get one for a greatly reduced price. 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 alter temps as necessary.

If you rely on an older air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Getting a new air conditioner is a wise method to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.

Refrigerant Kind

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 damaging 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 kind.

If your air conditioner is running fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever has a refrigerant leak, repairing the problem will be costly. That’s since Freon is only available in reduced, recycled amounts.

Newer air conditioners have Puron®, or R-410A. But you can’t just put Puron in a Freon air conditioner, as pressure requirements are different.

Our Pros Make Air Conditioning Installation Hassle-Free

If you’re still deciding whether you should replace your 15-year-old air conditioner now, think over this. The Department of Energy says doing air conditioning replacement for a 10-year-old model can provide 25–40% in energy savings! And those savings can really accumulate as time passes.

We realize that air conditioner cost is your top question. That’s why partnering with Kilbourne Heating & AC for air conditioning installation in Delray Beach and surrounding areas is simple and affordable. Our pros will help you find the right solution for your needs and then go over 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.

Reach us at 561-287-7071 to request your free, no-pressure estimate right away!