How old is the air conditioner in your home? If the answer is more than ten years, then you may benefit from having a replacement unit installed. You understandably want to save money any way you can, so it may seem contradictory to be told you can save money in the long run by purchasing a replacement right now. But, it’s true!

How could buying an AC replacement benefit me in the long run?

While it may seem like a substantial investment right now, having a new cooling system installed will provide many benefits for you and your family, including your wallet. Odds are likely that the old system you have installed has a low SEER (seasonal energy efficiency rating), which is essentially a measure of how efficiently your air conditioner cools your home. The higher the SEER, the more efficient your system is going to be and the less energy it will use to keep your family cool. A decade ago, the average SEER rating was 7 and today it is 13. It is recommended, however, that you choose a unit with a SEER of at least 15 to reap the most energy-saving benefits.

Additionally, your older system may require frequent repairs to keep it running as the old parts start to break down from years of wear and tear. These costs add up over the cooling season, and the amount you spend on your old clunker may cover the cost of a brand-new air conditioner.

Also, along with reaping the benefits of a more efficient air conditioning system, your family will breathe much cleaner, healthier air. A new unit will provide improved airflow and can better prevent contaminants from making their way into the living spaces of your home.

We also can’t forget to mention that a new air conditioning system will boost the value of your home. This is great news if your family may be placing your home on the market soon.

Warning signs that it’s time for AC replacement

• Skyrocketing energy bills.
• The air blowing from your home’s registers doesn’t feel cool.
• The air conditioner requires frequent repairs.
• You constantly are adjusting the thermostat to make your home more comfortable.
• Your air conditioner is over a decade old.
• Your AC has a low SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating.
• The air conditioner is very noisy when running.
• Your home’s humidity levels are excessively high. 

Choosing a new air conditioner

If you’ve made the decision to purchase a new unit for your home, be sure to work with an experienced cooling professional. He or she will be able to help you choose the right fit for your home. An air conditioner that’s too large will not be able to efficiently remove humidity from your home, and a unit that’s too small won’t be able to keep up with the cooling demands set by your thermostat. This means that the unit will be running nearly constantly to keep up, costing you a lot of money on your energy bills.

When choosing a new cooling system, you should also go with a unit that uses R-410A refrigerant. While a system using R-22 may be cheaper, this is a refrigerant that is no longer being produced. Maintenance and repair costs for this system will cost you much more in the long run.