With proper upkeep, your air conditioner will offer worry-free service for many years. But, similar to any other appliance in your home, it will eventually need to be upgraded. Knowing when to replace it is essential to avoid pricey repairs, higher energy bills and interruptions to your comfort.

When it comes to being cool and your home’s energy efficiency, our Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating professionals have your best interests at heart. There’s a lot that goes into deciding when your air conditioner requires replacement. Here are a few points you should consider when you’re thinking about upgrading your 15-year-old air conditioner.

Age

In most instances, the Department of Energy says most air conditioners run for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the halfway point. It’s recommended to start preparing for air conditioning installation before it goes out so you aren’t roasting while you’re waiting for a new one.

Reliability

How reliable is your air conditioner? Does it cool reliably, even on the toastiest days? Or is it frequently malfunctioning? When your air conditioner is less dependable it’s time to initiate thinking about getting an updated one.

Repair Bills

Over your air conditioner’s life cycle, it’s anticipated for it to need a few minor repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the cost of a new air conditioner, it’s wiser to just install a new one.

Energy Efficiency

Every air conditioner comes with a SEER rating, which rates how well it consumes electricity to create cold air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at least 13 SEER to meet federal laws. However, your air conditioner becomes inefficient as it wears out.

Now, 15–18 SEER is a popular ranking, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with greater SEER ratings are typically costlier but may pay for themselves over their life span through improved energy savings. And installing an energy-efficient air conditioner, especially one that’s an ENERGY STAR® air conditioner, can make you eligible for additional rebates.

Comfort

Are you comfy when your air conditioner is working? Or are you constantly dialing down the temperature to remain cool? An older air conditioner could have trouble keeping your residence comfy due to lower 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 continuously, these air conditioners operate at multiple speeds to fine-tune your comfort.

Noise

Your air conditioner should deliver cooling you can feel, not hear. If noise is a concern, check with us about getting a variable-speed air conditioner. The majority of these air conditioners cool at a sound level that’s like a regular conversation.

Smart Thermostat Compatibility

Adding a smart thermostat is a smart way to maximize your energy efficiency, with very little effort necessary from you. And, depending on the rebates available from your utility company, you might be able to get a free smart thermostat or get one for not much. The majority of these thermostats can pick up on your temperature preferences and then develop an energy-efficient schedule to match. They also know when you’re at home or away and change temperatures as necessary.

If you use 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 probably runs on Freon®. Also known as R-22 refrigerant, Freon is no longer being made because of its bad effects on the ozone layer. You can see if your air conditioner runs on R-22 by checking the sticker on the outside unit, which will show the refrigerant style.

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

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

Our Technicians Make Air Conditioning Installation Hassle-Free

If you’re still deciding whether you should replace your 15-year-old air conditioner soon, think over this. The Department of Energy says doing air conditioning replacement for a 10-year-old model can result in 25–40% in energy savings! And those savings can really build up over the years.

We are aware that air conditioner cost is your number one question. That’s why working with Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating for air conditioning installation in Northridge and surrounding areas is easy and affordable. Our technicians will help you choose the right option for your needs and then discuss all the possibilities. These include special offers to help you save more and financing for qualified customers to make your new air conditioner work with your budget.

Call us at (818) 727-9993 to request your free, no-pressure estimate right away!