Spring! Now that it’s time to think about cooling again, maybe you have a dim memory of wondering– way back last fall– whether it’s time to replace your air conditioning system.
The old recommendation was to replace the AC unit if it was more than 15 years old. But today, government and energy experts advise you to buy a new air conditioning system if the unit is more than 10 years old.
Of course, if you are convinced that your old Air Conditioner is still the most efficient appliance in the house, then bookmark this page and save it for next spring. But if you have doubts,here are some issues to include in your deliberations.
Checkpoint Charlie
Comfort
Whatever prompts you to invest in new Air Conditioning unit, comfort is probably at the top of the list.
If your home is too humid in the summer, if the unit is noisy, if certain corners of the house are less cool that you’d like . . . these are all factors that could indicate that you’re ready to upgrade.
Air conditioning has made great strides over the past decades– gotten quieter, more energy-efficient, and streamlined. You’ll probably be pleasantly surprised at how smoothly the new systems operate.
Cost
Air conditioners are graded according to their Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER). Older AC units might have a SEER as low as 6, but you can buy one now with a SEER as high as 28.
SEER ratings are the equivalent of miles per gallon for your car. A unit with a SEER rating of 20 is twice as efficient as one with a SEER rating of 10. If you swap out a SEER 10 for a SEER 20, you’ll get twice as much cooling power for the same amount of money.
When you consider the cost of a new AC, you should take into account the longterm savings. It’s kind of like an annual payback on your investment.
Convenience
International regulations banned certain types of coolants in an agreement known as the Montreal Protocol a few years ago. One banned substance, which had been used for more than 40 years, was the most common refrigerant in air conditioning systems.
You could be operating a system with an outlawed coolant at this moment. Since the refrigerant isn’t being manufactured anymore it may become harder to find and more expensive in the coming years. (By the way, this banned coolant is R-22; the trade name is Freon.)
Before you take the plunge, there are a few things to keep in mind as you start interviewing HVAC contractors.
First, the contractor should size your house, doing an analysis called a Manual J.
Improper sizing of the AC system for the specs of your home– including size, layout, climate, topography, and other factors– could result in a system that is too small (won’t cool; keeps shutting down and turning back on, AC won’t turn on) or too large (doesn’t remove humidity; expensive to operate).
Buy a new Air Conditioning unit with the highest SEER rating you can afford.
(See above on energy efficiency and saving money over the life of the system.)
Don’t let anyone try to convince you that you can replace either the outside compressor or the inside evaporator without replacing the other. Aside from the obvious dysfunction of cobbling together two separate systems, there may be discrepancies in the type of coolant used by each unit.
Consider adding insulation or new windows while you’re upgrading your AC.
If you make your house tighter, you may actually be able to switch to a smaller AC unit.
Ask your contractor about a thermal expansion valve if you live in a very hot area. If you live in a more moderate zone, ask about a switch that turns on just the fan. You might get away with turning off the AC most nights.
It’s costly to replace an AC, but at some point you will need to bite the bullet. Check out local hvac rebates and financing options on our web page.
And just keep reminding yourself: By the time summer comes, you’ll feel really comfortable with your decision. ')}