The average life expectancy of a modern air conditioner is around 10 to 15 years with regular yearly maintenance. Without regular service, however, this time frame can be a lot shorter.
It’s not uncommon for homeowners to ask themselves, “Should I replace my air conditioner?”. When thinking about whether it’s time for a replacement, there are many factors to consider.
Installing a new AC requires an upfront investment, but it’s worthwhile in the long run, as warm seasons are a yearly occurrence and ensuring your home remains comfortable means getting a quality unit.
This blog post goes over what homeowners should consider when thinking about an AC replacement.
What to Consider When Replacing an AC
Before replacing your AC unit, there are various things to consider.
SEER Rating and Energy Efficiency
When consulting a professional for AC installation and replacement, you may want to ask about the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of the unit you’ve picked out. The higher a SEER rating is, the more efficiently the unit operates in terms of energy use.
The answer to the question “Should I replace my air conditioner?” could therefore lie in your desire to lower your energy bills. An AC unit that’s energy efficient can save you money long-term, as it consumes less power to run just as well as an aging unit would.
Features
Beyond efficiency, consider what you value most in an AC system. Assessing your priorities when deciding whether to replace an air conditioner is important. Do you prioritize affordability? Convenience? Additional features?
For example, perhaps a feature you’re looking for would be a reusable filter, or maybe a remote-controlled unit. Considering you’ll be potentially using this AC unit for the next few years, it’s vital to choose one best suited to your needs.
The Benefits of Replacing Your Air Conditioner
Thinking about the question “When should I replace my air conditioner?” means keeping in mind the many benefits of doing so to time your replacement accordingly.
The benefits of replacing your unit include the following.
Ensures Comfort
Although regular maintenance is crucial to getting the most out of your AC unit, the amount of relief it provides can diminish over time as the unit ages. Whether it’s needing constant repairs or the unit not blowing out air as effectively as it used to, getting a new unit will almost always be the better choice.
A new unit will ensure that your residence remains comfortable for years to come.
Long-term Cost Savings
When considering the question “Should I replace my air conditioner?”, a major factor is the expense associated with it.
While it’s true that you’ll need to spend a significant amount on a new unit, this investment makes sense to a lot of homeowners, as it saves money in the long run.
An old air conditioner is more likely to run on outdated technology, and as the unit approaches the end of its lifespan, it’ll require more power to continue running. This usually shows when homeowners notice their power bills steadily increasing.
A newer, more energy-efficient model is therefore often worth the initial cost.
Increases the Value of Your Home
If you’re wondering, “When should I replace my AC unit?” and home value is on your mind, the time is now.
The Northern Colorado real estate market is often prone to fluctuations, so increasing the value of your home means renovations and replacing any outdated units. Getting a new air conditioning system can make your house more appealing to buyers, adding value to your residence that you can later leverage.
Selecting the Right AC for Your Home
When choosing a new AC to replace your old one, it’s important to weigh all your options. Here’s some criteria that you can keep in mind to ensure that you’re choosing the right unit.
Your Available Budget
Like all appliances, air conditioners come at variable costs. Your budget should be weighed against the unit’s cost, which will depend on the quality of the unit, its power rating, its features, and its availability on the market.
When choosing among the options available, it’s best to ask for advice from an HVAC professional, as they know what’s locally available and what often works best for homeowners.
The Square Footage of Your Home
Once you’ve decided yes to the question of “Should I replace my air conditioner?”, choosing the best unit for your home will depend on how much area it needs to cool.
Consider asking a professional about the unit’s BTU rating, for example, as the square footage of a space directly correlates to a recommended BTU.
The Climate You Reside Within
Factors like climate are important to consider when choosing the right AC, as it will determine how strong of a unit is needed and how often it will be used.
Although winter in Northern Colorado is often slightly longer than the summer, the area sees the coming and going of all four seasons, making a proper AC unit a necessity.
Accordingly, the area sees summer temperatures ranging from 58 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning homeowners will often require a decently powerful AC to make it through the warmer months.
Get Advice From Colorado’s AC Experts
Need help making the decision about whether to repair or replace your air conditioners? IMS Heating & Air is your go-to HVAC professional. Whether you want to learn more about your options, get a quote, or schedule an installation, IMS offers the best possible solution to the issue you’re experiencing.
Contact IMS today!
