Should I Replace My 15-Year-Old Air Conditioner?

With proper service, your air conditioner will offer worry-free cooling for a long time. But, just like any other machine in your residence, it will eventually need to be replaced. Knowing when to install a new one is essential to avoid costly repairs, expensive energy bills and interruptions to your comfort.

When it includes staying cool and your residence’s energy efficiency, our Osceola Air, LLC professionals have your best interests at the forefront. There’s a lot that goes into determining when your air conditioner should be replaced. Here are a couple of points you should consider when you’re thinking about upgrading your 15-year-old air conditioner.

Age

In most instances, the Department of Energy says most air conditioners last for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the halfway point. It’s smart to get started planning for air conditioning installation before it wears out so you aren’t sweating while you’re waiting for a new one.

Trustworthiness

How trustworthy is your air conditioner? Does it cool dependably, even on the toastiest days? Or is it frequently malfunctioning? When your air conditioner is less trustworthy it’s time to get started thinking about getting an updated one.

Repair Costs

Over your air conditioner’s life span, it’s expected for it to need a few little repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the price of a new air conditioner, it’s recommended to just install a new one.

Energy Efficiency

Every air conditioner includes a SEER rating, which ranks how proficiently it uses electricity to create cold air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at minimum 13 SEER to meet federal rules. However, your air conditioner becomes inefficient as it ages.

Today, 15–18 SEER is a popular ranking, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with bigger SEER ratings are typically more expensive but could pay for themselves over their life span through more 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 comfortable when your air conditioner is working? Or are you continuously turning down the temperature to stay cool? An older air conditioner may have trouble keeping your house comfy because of lower efficiency. A new air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can lower high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of operating on high all the time, these air conditioners work at multiple speeds to adapt your comfort.

Noise

Your air conditioner should provide cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is a concern, call us about upgrading to a variable-speed air conditioner. Many of these air conditioners cool at a sound level that’s comparable to a normal conversation.

Smart Thermostat Compatibility

Installing a smart thermostat is a wise method to stay on top of energy efficiency, with not much effort needed from you. And, depending on the rebates provided by your utility company, you could be able to get a free smart thermostat or get one for not much. Many of these thermostats can pick up on your temperature preferences and then create an energy-efficient schedule to match. They also know when you’re at home or gone and change settings accordingly.

If you have an aging air conditioner, a smart thermostat might not work with it. Upgrading your air conditioner is a smart method to ensure smart thermostat compatibility.

Refrigerant Style

If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it potentially uses Freon®. Also called R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being made due to its negative effects on the ozone layer. You can see if your air conditioner runs on R-22 by reviewing 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 has a refrigerant leak, repairing the problem will be expensive. That’s since Freon is only available in reduced, recycled amounts.

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

Our Professionals Make Air Conditioning Installation Stress-Free

If you’re still trying to decide whether you should replace your 15-year-old air conditioner soon, 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 add up as time passes.

We know that air conditioner cost is your first question. That’s why working with Osceola Air, LLC for air conditioning installation in St. Cloud and surrounding areas is stress-free and affordable. Our professionals will help you choose 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.

Reach us at 407-954-8626 to request your free, no-pressure estimate now!