At some point, you are going to have to consider replacing your air conditioner. It might be because it is too old and not working anymore, or it is just not the right size to cool your home. There are things you should think about before you replace your AC. You will need to call a professional to do the job. You don’t want to do the replacement of your air conditioning on your own because there is too much for you to do. It is possible, there is just a lot of work to do it.
This article will tell you more about replacing your air conditioner. It will give you some things to consider before you do replace it. You can also do more research and find out more on your own.
Things to Consider
- Age – The first thing that you need to consider is the age of the unit. The United States Department of Energy suggests that you replace the unit every fifteen to twenty years. In warmer climates, the lifespan is shortened to about ten to twelve years. If your unit is getting close to this age, it might be time to replace it. If it is only a few years old, it might be good just to make the repairs that it needs. The age of the unit is an important factor.
- Cost of Repairs – The cost of repairs is another consideration. If the costs of repairs are 50% or more of the cost of the unit, you will probably want to replace your AC. This is just a good rule of thumb to follow. You do not want to continue to make costly repairs on a unit that just continues to decline. It would be more cost-effective for you to replace it. You will save money in the long run.
- AC Maintenance – You need to make sure that you are doing regular maintenance on your air conditioner. Monthly checkups are needed so that you can avoid costly repairs. Air filters also need to be replaced every one to three months to ensure that your unit is working correctly.
- Energy Efficiency – The rating of the efficiency of the AC is called the SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. You want this number to be higher because it means your unit is efficient. Since 2015, this rating should be at least fourteen in the United States.
- Freon Use – Freon is being phased out in the United States since 2020. Air conditioners that have been made prior to that have used Freon. If your air conditioner still uses Freon, it might be time to replace it.
- Do Your Parts Match – Some units have already been replaced, but only partially. This means that maybe the outside unit was replaced, or the inside was. You want to make sure that the units match, so you may want to replace both sides so that they match.
- Comfort Needs – Another thing that you might want to consider is how comfortable you are in your home. If you have not been comfortable for a while, it might be time to replace it. If it is a recent development, you might want to check to see if you need some simple repairs.
- Advanced Technology – There are times when technology surpasses the unit that you have. See here for some information about advanced units. This is a time that you might consider upgrading to something new if you have the funds available. All types of new gadgets go along with the advanced units that make them fun to use.
- Incentives and Rebates – If you are looking for a new unit, be sure to look for companies that are offering incentives and rebates. This can save you a lot of money on replacement costs. You might even get a free furnace out of the deal.
- Home Lifespan – The length of time that you will be spending in your home is another consideration. If you are staying there for a long time and your unit is having issues, you might want to replace the whole thing. If you are planning on moving soon, you might just want to make the repairs and call it good enough. Always make sure that you choose the right type of AC unit for your home. If you choose unit that is too big, you’ll have huge bills and if you choose AC unit that is too small you’ll have to replace the unit very soon.
Conclusion
There are many things to consider when you want to replace your air conditioning unit. You need to consider the age of the unit. Consider the number of repairs that are needed, as well. If your air conditioner is more than a few years old and still uses Freon, you might also need to replace it. New advances in technology for air conditioners might also tempt you into buying a new one, especially with all the new gadgets that come along with it. It might just be time to replace it, especially if you are planning on staying in your home for a long time.
