It can be difficult to decide when it’s time to invest in a new air conditioning unit for your home.
We usually convince ourselves that repairs will be less expensive than replacement. While this may be true sometimes, it’s not always the case.
Costly repair bills can add up. While it’s worth it to hire an experienced HVAC technician, you don’t want to see them more often than you have to.
Wouldn’t it be better to see them for seasonal maintenance rather than a yearly recharge? Or worse yet, an expensive mechanical failure?
Let’s discuss some specific ways that will help you decide if it’s time to upgrade your unit.
Your Unit Is More Than 10 Years Old
On an average basis, an air conditioner should last 10-15 years- and that’s if you have been performing regular maintenance on your air conditioner.
If your unit is 10 years old or more, you are most likely noticing that the temperatures in your house may vary. You might also realize that you hear the system running much more often than it used to.
This is all because the unit is not working properly. As systems age they break down and don’t function as smoothly or efficiently as they used to.
Older units have a SEER rating between 8-10. By today’s standards, that is extremely outdated.
They actually don’t even manufacture central units with that low of a rating anymore- it’s against the law.
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It is the ratio of air conditioning output (the cool air that is circulated throughout your home) divided by the amount of energy used to run the unit.
Today’s units have a minimum of a 13-14 SEER. So even if you update your system to a less expensive model, you will already see a significant reduction in the energy cost of running your A/C unit.
A good analogy is to think of the SEER rating on your unit as miles per gallon (MPG) on your car. The higher MPG you get, the less money you are spending on gasoline to run the vehicle.
The experts at Outstanding Heating and Cooling can help you calculate the ideal SEER rating for your home and how much money a new unit will save you in operating costs.
The Temperature Inside Your Home Isn’t Comfortable Or Consistent
Like mentioned above, an older unit may cause the temperatures and humidity in your home to be uneven or even uncomfortable.
Older units aren’t able to circulate air properly and can cause variable conditions inside.
If you own a two-story home you may also notice that the upstairs is hot and more humid in the summer. This is usually caused by a unit that cannot support the size of your home, or one that is outdated and unable to keep up with the comfort demands of your family.
High humidity is not only uncomfortable, it also can cause unhealthy living conditions. A significant amount of humidity creates ideal breeding grounds for water and mold damage.
Air Conditioning Repair Service Is Costing You An Arm And A Leg
If you notice that year after year you are having to call a service technician to come look at your unit, it’s time for a new one.
As units age they cost you more money in repairs and are less energy efficient.
Older units even use a more costly refrigerant, R-22, which the federal government is phasing out.
This older, more expensive refrigerant is another efficiency buster. Due to it being phased out, repair costs using this for recharging a unit are higher. Prices on R-22 will continue to rise as it becomes less available.
Your Electricity Bill Continues To Rise
As your air conditioning unit ages, it becomes more expensive to operate.
The lower SEER ratings cost you more money on your electric bill and will continue to go up as the unit has to work harder to cool your home.
Over 60% of your electric bill is usually for seasonal climate control- whether it be heating or cooling. A new unit may be more money upfront, but will save you money over the course of a year and eventually pay for itself in savings.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
Another sign that you may be in need of a new air conditioner is that you have poor air quality in your home.
A new unit will help reduce dust and allergens in your home. That’s another perk of a new unit- less house cleaning!
The modern units have much better filtration systems in place that make the air within your home cleaner and more comfortable.
You can enhance your home’s air quality even more by having an air purification system installed with your new unit.
Some homeowners have a hard time remembering to replace their filter every month. There are options for a new unit that will reduce the number of times you have to remember to change your filter.
Getting An Estimate On A New Air Conditioning Or HVAC System For Your Dayton Area Home
At Outstanding Heating And Cooling we take the health and comfort of your home and family seriously. Our #1 goal is to provide OUTSTANDING service- one customer at a time.
We pride ourselves in giving our customers the individual attention they deserve. Let us build a system that works for you, your family, and your home.
We’ll make sure the system we install is the best fit for YOU. We are not a one-size fits all kind of company. Working with the individual needs and wants of our customers is what sets us apart.
There are multiple financing options and rebates available for air conditioning and HVAC units.
Call us today for a free, no obligation estimate on a new air conditioning or HVAC system for your Dayton area home: 937-439-4696.
