With proper upkeep, your air conditioner will deliver worry-free cooling for years. But, similar to any other appliance in your home, it will eventually need to be upgraded. Knowing when to install a new one is important to prevent pricey repairs, expensive electrical bills and comfort disruptions.

When it comes to being cool and your residence’s energy efficiency, our All Solutions Heating & Cooling specialists have your best interests at heart. There’s a lot that goes into deciding when your air conditioner requires replacement. Here are a couple of points you should consider when you’re thinking about updating your 15-year-old air conditioner.

Age

Typically, the Department of Energy says the majority of air conditioners run for 15–20 years. If yours is 15 years old, it’s well past the midpoint. It’s smart to get started preparing for air conditioning installation before it wears out so you aren’t roasting while you’re waiting for installation.

Reliability

How trustworthy is your air conditioner? Does it cool reliably, even on the hottest days? Or is it routinely malfunctioning? When your air conditioner starts becoming less trustworthy it’s time to begin thinking about getting an updated one.

Repair Costs

Over your air conditioner’s life cycle, it’s normal for it to need a few minor repairs. But if your air conditioner repair cost is more than half the price of a new air conditioner, it’s wiser to just replace it.

Energy Efficiency

Every air conditioner comes with a SEER rating, which ranks how efficiently it expends electricity to create cold air. If your air conditioner was installed in 2006, it will be at minimum 13 SEER according to federal guidelines. However, your air conditioner becomes inefficient as it ages.

As of now, 15–18 SEER is a popular range, but efficiency can go as high as the mid-20s. Air conditioners with higher SEER ratings are typically costlier but might pay for themselves over their life span through increased energy savings. And getting an energy-efficient air conditioner, especially one that’s an ENERGY STAR® air conditioner, can make you eligible for added rebates.

Comfort

Are you comfy when your air conditioner is running? Or are you constantly dialing down the temperature to stay cool? An older air conditioner may struggle to keep your residence comfy as a result of lower efficiency. A modern air conditioner, particularly a