4 Reasons to Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner

During the summer months, you rely on your air conditioner to keep the inside of your home cool and comfortable. Unfortunately, like all appliances, air conditioners can start to show their age. Here are four reasons why you should consider replacing your air conditioner and why you won't regret the upgrade.

1. You Have Renovated Recently

With a record number of Americans renovating, you might want to turn your attic into a spare bedroom or finally remove those drop ceilings. However, renovations can spell trouble for your HVAC system, since HVAC contractors calculated your heating load before you chose and they installed your air conditioner.

Prior to installation, HVAC contractors think about things such as where to place heat-generating appliances, doors, and windows. They also carefully consider the square footage of your home, since manufacturers rate each air conditioner to produce a certain number of BTUs. If you renovate your home without thinking about the toll on your HVAC system, you might end up with a hot, muggy home.

Although many people are tempted to choose a system that is larger than what they think they need, oversizing your air conditioner carries its own risks. When air conditioners are too large for your home, the system can cycle on and off more frequently, putting strain on the moving components and shortening the usable lifespan of your unit.

If you have renovated recently, ask a professional HVAC contractor to come in and calculate your heating loads. After evaluating your new and improved home, the contractor can help you to determine which air conditioner would be able to handle the demands of your updated space.

2. Your Energy Bills Are Crazy

In today's market, energy is a hot commodity. However, the market hasn't always been that way, which is why air conditioners manufactured decades ago are significantly less energy-efficient than modern variations. While older air conditioners are capable of cooling your home effectively, they can drive up your monthly power bill.

In fact, research has shown that replacing an air conditioner that is as young as 10 years old with a newer, more efficient version can cut your energy costs by as much as 40% . To put this number into perspective, if you spend $300 a month on power during the summer months, updating your air conditioner could reduce your bill to as little as $180, leaving you with more wiggle room in your budget.

Keep in mind that manufacturers only rate most air conditioners to last about twenty years. If your system is more than 10 years old, it has passed its prime, and you should start thinking about updating your system.

3. You Crave Modern Features

Nothing is wrong with wanting something better, especially when technology moves as fast as it does today. Modern air conditioners have features that no one had heard of even a few years ago, including self-sanitizing air handlers, humidity controls, and even silent components.

For instance, new fan blade shapes have paved the way for AC units that create a twentieth of the noise older systems made, keeping your home quieter.

Manufacturers design many modern air conditioners with variable motors, which start up slowly and can run at partial capacity. In addition to avoiding the jarring air conditioning startup noise, these systems also save power, since they should keep the fan running at a steady pace that corresponds with indoor climate controls.

Think carefully about what you like and don't like about your air conditioner, and consider looking for new air conditioning units that tackle the issues you face.

For instance, if you have a problem with indoor odor, consider upgrading to an air conditioner that uses UV light to eradicate mold, mildew, and bacteria. If you have jittery kids or pets in your home, upgrading to a new, quieter unit could help everyone to get some rest.

4. Your System Needs Frequent Repairs

Most HVAC systems require most repairs towards the end of their usable life, which is why your aging system might break down constantly. Although you might be tempted to keep fixing your system, experts recommend the "$5000 rule" to determine if you need to replace your air conditioning unit.

To decide if you need to replace your AC unit, multiply the age of the system by the estimated cost of the repair. If the total exceeds $5,000, replace your air conditioner instead of fixing it again. After all, in addition to enjoying a more efficient unit, you can also enjoy the bells and whistles modern AC systems offer.

When you are ready to update your home with a brand new air conditioner, give our team a call. Here at Comfort Solutions , we pride ourselves on quality craftsmanship and impeccable service. To learn more about how we can help, visit us online or stop by our office today.