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.