As a homeowner, one of the toughest decisions you’ll have to make about your air conditioner is when it’s time for a new unit. Although a new air conditioner can be a big investment, so can the costs of continuing to repair and operate an old, inefficient unit. So how are you supposed to know when it’s time to replace your air conditioner? Here are six signs we’ve listed below that are sure to help you make your decision!
1.The age of your system
The average lifespan of an air conditioning system is 10-15 years. If your unit is close to ten years old or older, you may want to consider replacing it instead of repairing it. Heating and cooling costs account for roughly 44% of your utility costs. If you’re paying more than the average for your area, your air conditioning system may not be working effectively.
2.Your system uses R-22 Freon
Older air conditioning systems also use R-22, a refrigerant, which is phasing out production of R-22 Freon between now and 2020 to meet environmental protection regulations. As a result, the costs of Freon are rising exponentially. Freon costs between $40 and $175 per pound. Fixing a leak and adding several pounds of refrigerant can cost you hundreds of dollars per service call.
3.Hvac related expenses are increasing
Is your air conditioner and furnace running a lot? If your utility bills are going up and there isn’t any change in the way you’re using it, that’s a good indication that your system is no longer as efficient as it should be. Another obvious sign is the amount of money you are paying for air conditioning repairs, and the frequency with which you have to have the system repaired.
4.Rooms are too hot or cold
Do you have a hard time keeping your home cool? Hot and Cold Rooms? Noisy HVAC system?
This could be the sign of an aging air conditioner or even an incorrectly sized system for the square footage of your home.. 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.
5.Poor indoor air quality
The constant presence of dust in your home – even after cleaning, is a good indication that there are leaks in the ductwork. Those leaks will compromise the efficiency of your air conditioning system, and that will increase the operating cost. Better air quality in your home can reduce allergy and asthma triggers.
6.HVAC system is inefficient
If your air conditioner has a low SEER rating, it can cost you a lot of money to operate it. Until 2006, 10 SEER was standard, but these days, the minimum allowed by federal law is 14 SEER. That translates to 30% less electrical consumption and 30% lower cooling bills than equipment installed just a few years ago.. 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.
