If it seems that your air conditioner isn’t working as well as it should, then the time might be coming for a well-needed replacement. No matter whether you have central A/C or a window-mounted unit, it has to remain energy efficient and able to take care of your cooling needs throughout its life. Any system that’s not able to perform after years of service is more than likely due for a replacement.
When deciding whether it’s time to replace your current air conditioner with a new, energy efficient unit, you may want to ask yourself three important questions:
- Is the unit more than 10 years old? If so, you may want to consider replacing it with a newer, more efficient unit. Although the average lifespan for an A/C system is roughly between 15 and 20 years, advances in technology can make buying a new A/C system worth your while.
- Does your A/C require frequent repairs? If you find yourself constantly spending money on parts and service, especially on the same repair issues, it might be time for a replacement.
- Do you want to maximize your energy savings? Thanks to new standards enacted in early 2006, residential A/C units now have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio of 13 or higher. Higher SEER ratings equal more efficient A/C units and lower yearly energy costs.
Figuring out when is the right time to replace your home’s A/C can be a tough task, especially when many symptoms of a suffering A/C are often cleared up with a small fix. It’s best to make sure that it isn’t a minor problem like a broken blower fan or a clogged air filter that’s giving your unit any trouble. After you’ve ruled out any minor issues, don’t hesitate to have a skilled technician replace your current air conditioning system with an energy efficient model.
Valley Heating, Cooling and Electrical offers quality heating and cooling service and repair throughout the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz. Visit our website for in-depth information on most HVAC topics, or just give us a call at 408-294-6290.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas of California about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about replacing your air conditioner and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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