With advancements in central heating and cooling technology improving drastically yearly, when you replace your air conditioning unit, energy efficiency can improve as much as 7% or more per year. This estimate is especially true if your current unit has been in place for 10 years or more. Depending on how efficient your current AC system is, a new air conditioning unit can cut your bills in half this year. Surprisingly, winter is an excellent time to have a replacement performed as it is not a busy time of year for our technicians, and you can have your system installed quickly now without having to worry about sweating more this coming summer.
How to Know When You Should Replace Your Air Conditioning Unit
A common sign of a unit malfunction is an uncomfortable, muggy, or hot home. In most cases, this is related to your unit instead of insulation or duct problems, but all of them should be checked. A dusty or pollen-filled home is also a sign of a unit malfunction. In some cases, this is related to ducts that need sealing, but often it is a sign of an air conditioning unit that is having trouble filtering and “conditioning” the air that is coming in.
If you are currently in need of a repair that is going to cost you a pretty penny, it may be time to consider an air conditioning unit replacement instead. If you weigh the costs and it is more financially sensible to replace the unit, we encourage you to do so. When an air conditioning unit is aged, it begins to break down more often, and spending money on constant repairs may not lead to a permanent solution.
Another important tip to keep in mind is that the federal government is currently attempting to phase out units that use R 22 Freon. Older air conditioning units use this type of Freon instead of the newer and more efficient R410A refrigerant. Because of the government’s actions, traditional Freon is more expensive than ever before, which could add to your costs if your unit needs a repair and requires more Freon. The new line of air conditioning units available only use refrigerant, and they provide the most effective and affordable cooling.
A new air conditioning unit should work properly for at least 10-15 years. If your current unit is this age, it is time to replace it, not only because it is most likely not functioning at its highest capability, but also because the improvements in efficiency and cost effectiveness have been drastic during the last decade. To learn more about how replacing your air conditioning unit can be beneficial, contact our office. We are happy to come out to evaluate your current unit to honestly tell you if it is time for a new one. If any of the conditions above sound familiar, that is definitely an indicator that your unit needs to be replaced this year.
