The decision to replace your air conditioner is not an easy one. The air conditioner replacement cost for a basic two-ton model is around $3,000, and a mid-grade model is around $5,000. So it’s not a purchase you take lightly.
But the cost to keep an old AC unit could be more than purchasing a new one in the long run. So how do you know if it’s time for air conditioning replacement or not? Here are 3 signs you can look for!
Sign 1: Your AC has Reached the End of Its Lifespan
Everything has its usable lifespan. For air conditioners, the average lifespan is about 15 years, according to consumer reports. But it would even make sense to get it replaced before that. According to Energy.gov, if an air conditioner is 10 years old, you can “save 20% to 40% of your cooling energy costs by replacing it with a newer, more efficient model.”
Key takeaway: If your air conditioner is 10-15 years old (or older), plan how you can finance for a new A/C.
Sign 2: Your AC Requires Frequent & Expensive Repairs
The fact that your air conditioner is old may not be too much incentive to replace it. A much bigger (and immediate) problem is when your air conditioner needs to be repaired frequently or the repairs it gets are expensive.
Have you ever had an old car that needed constant repairing? Your thought might have been “This hunk of junk isn’t worth repairing!” It’s the same with an air conditioner, which shouldn’t need to be repaired often anyway. There’s not much point in repairing an air conditioner that is both old and needs to be repaired every year.
Key takeaway: Next time your air conditioner gets a tune-up from a professional air conditioner contractor, ask for an honest assessment about the overall health of your unit. If it turns out that many of the parts could require expensive repairs in the near future, it would make economical sense to go ahead and get a new air conditioner.
Sign 3: Your AC Shows Signs of Running Inefficiently
When your air conditioner is ready to bite the dust, it wastes energy and becomes inefficient in how it uses electricity to run. Look for these signs of air conditioner energy inefficiency:
- Higher utility bills over time (cooling makes up about makes up about 17% of the average household’s annual utility bills, so an increase in your monthly bills will be noticeable)
- Air conditioner needs to run longer than normal to cool your home
Key takeaway: If your air conditioner isn’t running the way it used to, it could be time for AC replacement.
AC Replacement is Easier than You Think!
We understand that getting a new air conditioner is costly. But it’s best to do it before it costs you hundreds more in the long run from expensive repairs and high utility bills. And besides, money-saving rebates make replacing your AC easier than ever. By selecting more energy efficient systems, you can get rebates of up to $500! You can also reach out to us and ask about our current promotions and to see if we have any air conditioning coupons.
Contact the experts at Nicholson Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning to get a free estimate on installing a new air conditioner in your home!