For any Charleston, SC homeowner it is a tough decision on when to replace your air conditioner. In fact, due to the high cost of an AC unit, it is one of the toughest decisions you will face as a homeowner. A new air conditioner is a huge investment. Homeowners must decide whether or not to keep repairing older inefficient AC units or to replace them with a newer more energy-efficient model. Today’s Air Conditioning and Heating service companies offer an array of high-efficiency models.
Deciding when to replace your air conditioner is not an easy task. Carney & Son 72 Degrees Air Conditioning and Heating of Charleston, SC has you covered with this advice on when it might be time to call an HVAC service for air conditioner replacement. Below are some of the most tell-tale signs that you need a new air conditioner.
Your Air Conditioner Is More Than 10 Years Old
Most air conditioning units were designed to last ten to twelve years. That is only if they are well maintained with AC tune-ups every year and well cared for. Units that do not see regular maintenance will not last as long. It is vital that you do tune-ups every year on your air conditioning unit if you want to see the full life span of your unit. Some well-maintained units can last longer than twelve years but this is not the norm. If your air conditioner is needing constant repairs and your unit is ten-plus years old, it might be time to call Carney & Son 72 Degrees Air Conditioning and Heating for a new unit. This is even more true when you consider the advancements in energy efficiency in the last five years alone with central air conditioners. Older unit parts are more costly to replace than newer units is another factor to consider here with an aging unit.
Your Air Conditioner Uses Freon
If your air conditioner uses Freon, chances are it is using R-22 Freon. R-22 Freon production has been phased out by the United States federal government as of January 1st, 2020. You can still have Freon added to your air conditioner when needed, but it is now extremely costly to do so. Add on to that the cost of repairs and you might well have your answer about when it’s time to make that call to an Air conditioning and heating service. If your older AC unit uses freon you will eventually need to replace it with a unit that uses the newer R410A refrigerant. You can even use a Heat Pump to go even greener. Despite the name Heat Pump, it actually will cool your home. Basically, if your unit still uses Freon it is time to consider making that call to an air conditioning and heating service for a new unit replacement.
Your Air Conditioner Is Energy Inefficient
If your air conditioner has a low SEER Rating it will cost you a lot of money to operate every year. The SEER rating, also known as the seasonal energy efficiency ratio, has a minimum standard SEER rating of 13 for AC units. The maximum efficiency for AC units is a SEER of 21 SEER. The size of your AC unit along with the size of your home will also determine the efficiency of your system. Your ductwork even comes into play for the efficiency of your system. If your air conditioner’s SEER rating is below 14 you are paying a lot of extra money to the utility company every year just running your AC unit. We recommend that our customers seek out SEER 20 or 21 models for maximum energy efficiency. If your AC unit has a SEER of 13 or below it is not an energy-efficient model and should be replaced with a newer model. You can always call your local Air conditioning and heating service if you are unsure of your unit’s SEER rating.
Extensive and Expensive Repairs
If your air conditioner is facing a rather expensive repair, you might consider making that call to an Air conditioning and heating service such as Carney & Son 72 Degrees Air Conditioning and Heating. Simply weigh the costs of the heavy repairs against the cost of a new unit. Also factor in the current unit cost per year to operate based on its maximum efficiency. Keep in mind its maximum efficiency will only be at its maximum if you provide yearly maintenance such as an AC tune-up every year. Now weigh the two costs together and determine what the best path forward for you is. If you have multiple signs on this list of tell-tale signs then it is definitely time to make that call to an air conditioning and heating service.
Frequent Breakdowns
Is your air conditioner breaking down often? Are you constantly calling up an Air conditioning and heating service to make expensive air conditioner repairs? Are you calling Carney & Son 72 Degrees Air Conditioning and Heating to often address ever-mounting problems with your air conditioner? Repair costs will quickly add up, so if you are experiencing frequent AC repairs, it might be more worth your money to invest in a new air conditioner. You might save money in the long run by simply replacing the old unit with a high-energy efficient unit.
Your Home Is No Longer Comfortable
Does it seem as if you can never keep your home cool anymore? Your AC may be failing and only a matter of time before it breaks down completely. There is also the chance that your air conditioner size is the wrong size for your home and ductwork. You need your AC unit to do its job and cool down the house. If your air conditioner is no longer cooling the home it may be time to make the call to an Air conditioning and heating service in Charleston, SC such as Carney & Son 72 Degrees Air Conditioning and Heating service.
If you have any of the signs on this list you may want to consider investing in a new AC system. Carney & Son 72 Degrees Air Conditioning and Heating can replace your aging AC unit with ease. Call us today for a quote.
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