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Is it Time for a New Air Conditioner? Here are Some Warning Signs
Don’t get caught in summer’s heat without a properly working Air Conditioner! Today’s air conditioning units are 30 percent more efficient than old units, so upgrading an old air conditioner to a new unit will save you money in operations and maintenance. Here are signs that your existing unit may not make it through another Denver summer.
Signs it’s Time for a New Air Conditioner
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Age
Age is a prime indicator of unit efficiency, although not the only indicator that an old unit may need to be replaced. Generally speaking, an Air Conditioner’s lifespan is 13-18 years at most. If your Air Conditioner is older than 10 years, it may make more sense to replace it early than to continue to pay for operating and maintenance for 5 more years. There are utility company rebates available to help with the cost of replacing and upgrading the system to a more efficient model.
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Efficiency
The less efficient an air conditioner, the more you pay to operate the unit. Today’s air conditioners from Rheem and other top manufacturers have a minimum SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating of 13, where a higher number indicates greater efficiency. If your Air Conditioner’s SEER rating is lower than 13, you’ll see cost savings (and environmental benefits) by replacing the unit.
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Frequent Breakdowns and Regular Repairs
It’s a best practice to have any Air Conditioner cleaned and conditioned once a year, so it can operate at its maximum efficiency during the summer months. However, if you’re having a technician come out on a regular basis and fix an ailing unit, that’s money better spent on a reliable and more efficient cooling unit.
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Your House Feels Warm
If your Air Conditioner cannot cool your home properly, it could be too small for the space or too old/ailing to do the job. If you’re sure the unit is sized properly for your home and that it isn’t clogged with debris that’s impacting system performance, you will likely be better off with a newer unit that can effectively cool the space. Likewise, if your summer utility bills seem significantly higher than in past years, and you’re not using the Air Conditioner more than you were then, your unit is operating inefficiently and you would do well to replace it.
The best time to get a new air conditioner is before peak season, not during high season when demand is at its highest and some stores may be low on inventory.
