One of the toughest decisions you’ll have to make about your air conditioning is determining when it is time for a new unit. A new air conditioner can be a big investment, but sometimes it’s necessary due to the costs of consistently having to repair and operate and old, inefficient system. Homeowners should be aware of AC issues so they can replace their unit rather than racking up costly maintenance fees. The following signs could indicate you need a new air conditioning unit.
Your air conditioner is more than 10 years old. In general, you can expect a well-maintained air conditioner to last about 15 years. However, if you’re in need of expensive repairs and your air conditioner is more than 10 years old, it will often make more sense to replace it.
Your air conditioner is inefficient.If your air conditioner has a low SEER rating, it can cost you a lot of money to operate it. Currently, newly manufactured air conditioners must have a SEER rating of at least 13. If your air conditioner’s SEER rating is below 13, you can cut back on your energy costs by replacing it with a new, more efficient unit.
You’re facing expensive repairs: Any time you’re facing an expensive repair; you’ll want to weigh the costs of the repair against the cost of a new unit. If the cost of the repair would cover a large part of the new system, and especially if your air conditioner is showing any of the other signs it is often more cost-efficient to get it replaced.
It frequently breaks down.Does it seem like your air conditioner is constantly breaking down? Are you calling a service technician every month because of a new problem with your unit? These repair costs can add up quickly and it’s not economical to continually make them on older units. Save yourself the headaches and the money by investing in a new unit.
Your air conditioner uses R 22 Freon.The federal government is phasing out Freon in order to conserve energy nationwide. As a result, the cost of Freon is rising exponentially. If your air conditioner uses Freon, you’ll have to replace it eventually in order to switch over to the new refrigerant (R410A). If you’re having major problems with your air conditioner, especially if they involve the need for more Freon, it is probably a good time to replace your unit.
Your home isn’t comfortable.Do you have a hard time keeping your home cool? This could be the sign of an aging air conditioner or even an incorrectly sized system. Regardless of the cause, you want your air conditioner to do its job. If it’s not going to keep your home cool, you’ll want to replace it with a unit that will.
With an aspect of your home as important as your comfort, we’re dedicated to being your cooling solution to any problem. For all your heating, plumbing, and air conditoning needs, contact Johnson Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing today at (317) 714-0936.