6 Signs it’s Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner
If you own a home, one of the most challenging decisions you will ever have to make concerning your air conditioner is determining when a new unit is needed and when you should keep using your current air conditioner. Even though a new air conditioner is a sizable investment, you should understand that an old, inefficient model that requires constant repair is also costing you a significant amount of money. Therefore, you may be wondering when it is appropriate to replace your old air conditioner. Below are six signs that it is time to invest in a new model:
Air Conditioner Is Over Ten Years Old
In most cases, a well-maintained air conditioning unit should last approximately 15 years. However, if your air conditioner is over a decade old and you are in constant need of costly repairs, it is much better to replace the unit. This claim is particularly valid when you consider the efficiency advancements made in the field of manufacturing over the past ten years.
Air Conditioner Has A Low SEER Rating
Your air conditioner is inefficient if its SEER rating is less than thirteen. Units with lower SEER ratings are expensive to operate. Therefore, if your AC rates lower than 13, replacing it with a newer, more energy-efficient model will lead to lower energy bills.
You Are Facing A Major Repair
If you are facing costly repairs, you must weigh the price of a new unit against the cost of repairing the current air conditioner in your home. If the estimate for the repairs is enough to cover a generous portion of the new system, then it makes more sense to replace the unit. This claim is particularly valid if the air conditioner is showing visible signs of wear.
The Air Conditioner Constantly Breaks Down
If you are calling a heating and cooling company each month because your unit is continuously breaking down or operating inefficiently, it does not make much sense to keep the air conditioner. Investing in a new air conditioner will save you more money in the long run.
The Unit Uses R-22 Refrigerant
The federal government is phasing out R-22 refrigerant to conserve energy nationwide and reduce the presence of ozone-depleting substances. This phaseout means that the cost of R-22 will rise dramatically over the next several years. If your unit uses R-22, you will eventually have to replace it and switch to R410A, which is the newest type of refrigerant. If you are having severe issues with the air conditioner in your home, mainly if the problems involve the need for more R-22 refrigerant, you are better off just replacing the unit.
Your Home Is Uncomfortable
If you have a difficult time keeping your home cool, you may have an incorrectly sized system or merely an aging air-conditioning unit that is on its last legs. Regardless of the reason, you need an air conditioner that works efficiently. If your current A/C unit is failing to keep your home cool, you should replace it with a newer model.
If you have questions regarding when and how to replace your air conditioning unit, or if you know that you want a new air conditioner installed in your home, get in touch with one of the professionals at central New Jersey’s premier air conditioner repair and installation company, Skylands Energy.
Call Now: (908) 707-1776
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