How To Know If It's Time To Replace Your Air Conditioner
by Greg Leisgang on June 27, 2012
Posted in: Air Conditioners
Owning a home in Greater Cincinnati occasionally involves making tough decisions, such as when to replace your air conditioner. All mechanical equipment has a service life, but you can use these tips to help you decide if it's time to upgrade your air conditioner.
- Its age -- New air conditioners are much more efficient than air conditioners older than 10 years. The cost of a new system can be quickly recovered because a highly efficient one will use less electricity to cool your home. The minimum efficiency for an air conditioner currently stands at 13 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), which uses up to 30 percent less electricity than a 10 SEER.
- Higher humidity -- When your air conditioner loses some of its ability to perform, you might notice that the humidity indoors becomes higher. Humid indoor air promotes the growth of mold and bacteria, along with making you feel less comfortable. If mold gets out of hand, it can lead to expensive home repairs.
- Frequent repairs -- Not only is it expensive to have your air conditioner repaired frequently, it also means that you probably spend hours or days in an uncomfortable environment. When you replace your air conditioner, you'll receive a warranty, giving you peace of mind along with lower electric bills.
- Its refrigerant -- If your air conditioner uses R-22, also known as Freon, it may be a more cost-effective move to replace it instead of recharging it. Over time, the connections for the coils can loosen or dirt can corrode the coil, causing leaks. The Environmental Protection Agency has mandated that R-22 be phased out in stages until 2020, when none will be manufactured, in favor of the environmentally friendly R-410A refrigerant. The price of R-22 has already begun to escalate and as it becomes scarcer, its cost will continue to increase. Now may be the best time to replace your air conditioner, especially if your system meets several of the other criteria described above
If you would like an evaluation to help you decide when to replace your air conditioner, contact Tri-County Heating & Cooling. We've been providing HVAC services for Butler County and the Greater Cincinnati area since 1969.