Planning when to replace an air conditioner is a major decision, so you shouldn’t take it lightly—especially since it can be a significant investment. Here are five questions you need to ask yourself before you decide to replace your air conditioner.
1. Is your air conditioner over 15 years old?
The average lifespan of an air conditioner is 10-15 years. For every year after that, you’re looking at a significant loss of efficiency and performance. Plus, older air conditioners tend to break more often, leading to more frequent and potentially expensive repairs. Rather than investing money in fixing your aging system, at a certain point it just makes financial sense to replace the entire system instead.
While purchasing a new air conditioner is a significant expense, it can pay off in the long run. Many newer air conditioning systems are exceptionally energy efficient, which can help decrease your monthly utility bills. Rebates, incentives, and savings opportunities are also available from manufacturers and energy companies to help cut down the costs of upgrading to a new air conditioner. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy better cooling and home comfort, which proves to be priceless in the end.
2. Are your monthly utility bills increasing?
While it’s normal for your bills to get higher during the peak of the summer, a sudden skyrocket is cause for alarm. If you find yourself cringing when you see your monthly bill, make sure your air conditioner isn’t behind it. Aging components and failing parts can compromise efficiency, leading to higher utility bills. An older air conditioner also likely has to work harder in order to cool your home, using more energy in the process. To put it in perspective, think of how hard it would be be for an older car with a failing engine to keep up with a new sports car. The newer car would easily (and quickly) run laps around the older one. The same logic applies to your air conditioner. By upgrading to a newer, more powerful system, you can lower your energy usage and bring your utility bills back to normal. Your home (and your wallet) will thank you.
3. When is the last time you scheduled air conditioner maintenance?
You go to the doctor for regular checkups, and take your car in for regular oil changes. Your air conditioner needs that same level of preventative care, but sometimes annual maintenance can get lost in the shuffle. An air conditioner that hasn’t been maintained for years is more prone to breakdowns and will likely need to be replaced sooner than a system that’s well maintained.
Larson’s Cool Club maintenance program includes two maintenance visits each year. Our 34-Point tune up also comes with VIP discounts on repairs and new equipment.
4. Is your home experiencing uneven cooling?
Is your master bedroom always too cold, while your living room is too hot? When hot and cold spots pop up around the house, an aging or failing air conditioner may be to blame. Rather than changing your wardrobe according to what room you’re in, you can solve uneven cooling problems for good with a new air conditioner.
5. Is your air conditioner keeping up with demand?
It’s no secret that Arizona summers are brutal, and warm temperatures endure long after summer officially ends. If your air conditioner isn’t able to keep up with the challenging conditions, it’s time to replace it. After all, it’s frustrating to continually come home to a house that’s too warm, or spend countless hours tinkering with the thermostat, trying in vain to lower the temperature. End the frustrations once and for all with a new air conditioner.
Tips for the best air conditioner replacement experience
So you’ve decided to replace your air conditioner. Great! Now, it’s time to make sure the process goes smoothly. As we say here at Larson, the most important day in the life of your air conditioner is the day of installation. A proper installation can be the difference between an efficient, long-lasting air conditioner and one that ends up riddled with problems down the line. With so many air conditioner companies out there, it can be difficult to know who to trust with the important task of installing your new air conditioner. Keep the following factors in mind before you sign on the dotted line and schedule an installation appointment.
Proper equipment sizing
“Bigger is better” may be true for things like televisions, houses, and fancy cars, but it’s certainly not true for air conditioners. Some companies may try and take advantage of you by upselling a bigger system—but don’t fall for their dishonest sales pitch. An air conditioner that’s too big will cycle on and off frequently, driving up your utility bills and wasting energy in the process. On the other hand, a system that’s too small won’t be able to handle the high Arizona heat. It’s important to work with a company that uses Manual J Load Calculation to ensure properly sized equipment.
Proper ductwork
A properly designed and installed duct system is a critical part of an efficient and effective air conditioner. Think of how the pipes in your home transport water to your shower and other appliances. If there are holes or leaks in the pipes, you won’t get the water you need. Same goes for your ductwork. Leaky ducts can compromise comfort by decreasing cooling efficiency, showing how important it is for your home to have a properly designed, sealed, and installed duct system.
Correct refrigerant charge
Refrigerant is like the blood of your air conditioner. It plays a vital role in heat exchange, and without it your air conditioner won’t be able to produce cool air. Incorrect refrigerant levels lower the efficiency of your air conditioning system by 5-20%, and can cause costly secondary damage to components like the compressor.
Airflow configuration
When it comes to airflow, it’s important that it’s not too high, or too low, but just right. Ductwork and vents play a crucial role in proper airflow. If one of those components isn’t pulling its weight, the efficiency of the whole system goes down.
Trust the experts at Larson
When it’s time to purchase and install a new air conditioner, there’s only one name you need to know—Larson Air Conditioning. Our team of experts are technicians, not salespeople, so you don’t need to worry about dishonest sales pitches or slimy upselling tactics. We take pride in our work and go the extra mile to ensure your new air conditioner is installed right, according to our high-quality standards. Call (480) 428-0600 or schedule online to get started and join the thousands of Arizona families who have experienced the Larson Air Conditioning difference.