6 Signs It’s Time To Upgrade Your Air Conditioner
An efficient air conditioner is an important feature in your Raleigh home. If you’re not enjoying peak home comfort and a reasonable energy bill, it’s time to evaluate your air conditioner and consider a new model. Look for these signs that a new system is on the horizon.
Your Home Isn’t Cool Enough
If your home isn’t cool enough for your comfort needs, there are two likely causes. The first is a dirty or poorly maintained HVAC system that needs more care and attention. You should receive air conditioning maintenance once a year for optimum performance.
If you haven’t kept up with the proper maintenance tasks, your HVAC system will accumulate dust and dirt and may run into other problems like loose parts or lack of proper lubrication. If this is the case, scheduling a maintenance visit may resolve your problem without needing a new system.
If a tune-up doesn’t solve your problem, you may find that your AC isn’t properly sized. If your unit is too small for your square footage, it won’t keep your home cool no matter how well-maintained. An HVAC professional can help you determine the appropriate size.
Upgrading to a properly sized unit can dramatically improve your home comfort.
You’re Seeing Your HVAC Technician Regularly
You should see an HVAC professional for regular maintenance and infrequent repairs. If they’re visiting regularly, your repairs can quickly add up to the price of a new unit.
Compare the cost of repairing the unit with the cost of a replacement, factoring in the energy savings you’ll probably enjoy. You may find that a new air conditioner actually puts you ahead.
You Want To Shrink Your Carbon Footprint
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average home uses over 2,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity every year, releasing 3,500 pounds of carbon dioxide and 31 pounds of sulfur dioxide into the air. The more efficient your system, the less you’ll contribute to these emissions.
Your system’s SEER rating indicates how much energy it uses to achieve a particular cooling output. Older systems can have a SEER as low as 6 or less, but the minimum allowed for new systems today is 13. The higher your SEER, the more environmentally friendly your air conditioner is.
Your Utility Bills Make You Cringe
Over time, your air conditioner’s efficiency may gradually decline. You’ll also find that today’s standard units use far less energy than their past counterparts. The best air conditioners on the market use 30% to 50 % less energy than those manufactured in the mid-1970s.
Replacing an air conditioner that’s just 10 years old can reduce your energy costs by 20% to 40%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
You’ve Had the Same System for Over a Decade
Around the 10-year mark, you should consider upgrading your air conditioner. A central AC typically lasts between 15 and 20 years, but planning ahead will help you save up for an energy-saving model.
An air conditioner that’s a decade old is already greatly outdated in terms of technology and energy efficiency. The sooner you can afford an upgrade, the sooner you’ll start cashing in on energy savings.
You Want More Control
If you’re struggling to keep your home comfortable, a new system can give you the control that your current unit lacks. A ductless system lets you place heat pumps for heating and cooling in various rooms of the house. With this system, you turn on only the heat pumps you need, leaving them off in unused parts of the home.
A programmable thermostat will also give you greater control, allowing you to choose the ideal settings for each time of the day and day of the week.
An HVAC professional can help you choose the right system for your needs. Taking your budget, square footage, and comfort preferences into consideration, we can help you select the best air conditioner for your home.
If you’re ready to install a new air conditioner, call Air Experts at 919-480-2727.
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