The average central air conditioner will last you around 15 to 20 years. As your system gets older, it’s vital to understand the key signs that’ll let you know a replacement is likely necessary in the near future. This will give you adequate time to prepare for an AC replacement at a time that’s convenient for you and when it best fits into your budget.
Excessively High Energy Bills
It’s very common for your energy bills to go up during the summer as you’re running your air conditioning system. However, if you notice a stark difference in your energy bills without a major increase in energy costs from your utility company, it’s a sign that your system is no longer functioning optimally.
As your AC’s internal components wear out, they will start to function less and less efficiently. This will lead to higher operating costs to produce the same amount of cold air as they once did. Instead of paying excessively high energy bills throughout the entire summer, it can be highly advantageous to upgrade to a more energy-efficient system.
Requires Frequent Repairs
As with any appliance that gets older, components will start to fail and require replacement. It’s pretty common for homeowners to need air conditioner repair from time to time. However, if you’re calling our service professionals every year or multiple times a year to repair issues with your system, it’s likely time to think about upgrading. It simply doesn’t make sense to keep putting your money towards repairing a system that’s nearing the end of its life.
Another thing to think about is the total cost of repairs. If you have a major unit malfunction and the cost to repair it is equal to one-half or more of the total cost of a new system, it’s typically best to purchase a new air conditioner for your home.
Home Additions
As your family grows, you may find you need to put on a home addition or two to accommodate your need for more space. Every time you increase the size of your home, you need to think about your HVAC. Each system has a specific rating, referred to as a cooling capacity, which describes how much cold air it can produce for a given space. If you keep trying to run your existing system that was designed for your initial home size, it may not be capable of adequately cooling your now larger home.
Inconsistent Cooling
Just as your air conditioner can get less efficient as it ages, its ability to provide consistent cooling can also be affected. You may find that rooms furthest away from your air conditioner aren’t staying as cold as they once did. This can be the result of your system not producing enough power to adequately cool your space.
You’ll likely notice a large inconsistency in the temperature throughout your different rooms as your appliance ages. Upgrading to a new system is a great way to help restore a consistent, comfortable temperature throughout your entire home.
Uses Outdated Refrigerant
Beginning in January 2025, the production of air conditioners that use R410A refrigerant is banned. This refrigerant has been shown to have a high global warming potential that’s very damaging to the environment. One reason you may want to upgrade your existing air conditioner is that it uses this outdated refrigerant. Opting for a system that uses one of the new A2L refrigerants is a great way to be more environmentally friendly.
You Want Smart Features
With the integration of smart technology into the HVAC industry, there are many awesome products out there for homeowners to use that make life more convenient and can lower your energy bills. Not all smart technology can integrate seamlessly with outdated air conditioners. For example, if you want to use a smart thermostat or have a zoned system, your existing AC unit may not have technology capable of controlling these features. In this event, upgrading to a new air conditioning system is necessary to enjoy all the convenience of smart technologies.
Benefits of Upgrading
If you’re still on the fence about investing in a new air conditioner for your home, there are many great reasons to consider doing so. One of the most obvious is you can likely enjoy a more energy-efficient system. Systems produced just 10 years ago are much less efficient than modern-day standard AC units.
You even have the option of purchasing high-efficiency units if you’re okay with paying more upfront to enjoy long-term energy savings over the lifespan of your new appliance. The more energy-efficient your AC is, the lower your energy bills will be during the summer months.
One helpful technology many new air conditioners have is variable-speed blower fans. These allow your system to modulate its energy usage based on your specific needs. If you’re trying to cool down your home significantly, your air conditioner can operate at full capacity.
However, if you’re only trying to turn the temperature down a degree or two, your system can operate at say 40% capacity. This will allow it to use less energy while still providing you with a comfortable home environment. These variable-speed systems can be a great benefit for any homeowner.
A new home cooling system can be a wonderful way to boost the overall resale value of your home and can even come along with some tax incentives and local rebates. Many new ENERGY STAR-certified air conditioners make you eligible to receive a federal tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. You’ll likely even find that you’re eligible to receive credits from your local utility companies and local municipalities when you purchase a new system.
One benefit of getting a new air conditioner for your home that you can’t overlook is the peace of mind it can bring you. Your risk of experiencing a breakdown during the hot summer season is very minimal with a new system. Even if you do, you can rest assured that you have a warranty that will take care of the cost of repairs. Even better, you won’t have to worry about when your system is going to fail and require a replacement like you do with your existing system.
Reliable AC Replacement Service
Gunthers Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing provides reliable AC replacement service to the American Fork, UT area. Our helpful technicians can also assist with all your AC installation, repair, and maintenance needs. Call us today to schedule your next service consultation.
