With adequate upkeep, your air conditioner will offer worry-free performance for many years. But, like any other thing in your home, it will eventually need to be upgraded. Knowing when to install a new one is important to skip pricey repairs, expensive utility bills and comfort disruptions.

When it includes being cool and your residence’s energy efficiency, our Gilray Heating and Cooling specialists have your best interests at heart. There’s a lot that goes into determining when your air conditioner should be replaced. Here are several points you should consider when you’re thinking about updating your 15-year-old air conditioner.

Age

Most of the time, the Department of Energy says the majority of air conditioners last for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the halfway point. It’s wise to get started preparing for air conditioning installation before it goes out so you aren’t sweltering while you’re waiting for installation.

Trustworthiness

How dependable is your air conditioner? Does it cool reliably, even on the warmest days? Or is it frequently malfunctioning? When your air conditioner is less trustworthy it’s time to initiate preparing to get an updated one.

Repair Costs

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

Energy Efficiency

Every air conditioner has a SEER rating, which measures how efficiently it consumes electricity to create cold air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be a minimum of 13 SEER according to federal laws. 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 greater SEER ratings are often costlier but could pay for themselves over time 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 often dialing down the temperature to keep cool? An old air conditioner might have problems keeping your house comfy due to decreased efficiency. A new air conditioner, particularly a variable-speed air conditioner, can minimize high humidity and hot and cold spots. Instead of cooling at full speed constantly, these air conditioners run at multiple speeds to adapt your comfort.

Noise

Your air conditioner should give cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is a concern, check with us about upgrading to a variable-speed air conditioner. Most 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 minimal 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 very little. Most of these thermostats can adjust to your temperature preferences and then create an energy-efficient schedule to match. They also know when you’re at home or away and adjust temps as necessary.

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

Refrigerant Type

If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it likely runs on Freon®. Also referred to as R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being manufactured because of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. You can see if your air conditioner uses R-22 by checking the sticker on the outside unit, which will include the refrigerant type.

If your air conditioner is working fine, you can keep on using it. However, if it ever experiences a refrigerant leak, repairing the problem will be pricey. That’s due to the fact Freon is only available in limited, recycled amounts.

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

Our Technicians Make Air Conditioning Installation Stress-Free

If you’re still deciding whether you should replace your 15-year-old air conditioner within the immediate future, consider this. The Department of Energy says doing air conditioning replacement for a 10-year-old model can lead to 25–40% in energy savings! And those savings can really add up as time goes by.

We realize that air conditioner cost is your top question. That’s why working with Gilray Heating and Cooling for air conditioning installation in Wausau and surrounding areas is simple and affordable. Our technicians will help you find the right option for your needs and then review 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.

Call us at 715-301-0727 to request your free, no-pressure estimate now!