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Air Conditioner Installation: How Often Should You Replace Your AC? | Garland, TX

Air Conditioner Installation: How Often Should You Replace Your AC? | Garland, TX

Photo By tbabasade at istock

When the summer rolls around, there’s nothing better than being able to crank up the AC and keep your Garland, TX, home cool. If you really want to keep your home comfortable during the sweltering heat of the summer, it’s important to make sure your AC is in good shape. That doesn’t just mean maintaining your air conditioner over the years, it also means replacing it when it’s time for a new unit. If you’re considering investing in a new unit and paying for air conditioner installation this spring, here’s how you can tell if it’s time to make an upgrade or not.

Age

If you’re not sure whether or not it’s time to get a new AC, the first thing you need to consider is how old yours is. No matter how hard you try to maintain your AC and keep it in good shape year after year, there comes a time when certain components fail and it’s time for a new air conditioner installation.

In most cases, you can expect an AC unit to last about 10 to 15 years, although that depends on how well you take care of the unit. If you don’t have your air conditioner maintained and repaired regularly, it might not last nearly that long. On the other hand, an AC that’s well-maintained may last a bit longer than that.

One thing you have to consider with age is the fact that old air conditioners simply aren’t as good as the new models. While the price of a new AC and installation may seem like a lot, it’s well worth it when you consider all the benefits you’ll get from upgrading your old AC unit to a newer model.

Problems

Whenever you’re trying to decide whether to repair or replace an AC unit, you have to think about what problems the existing unit has. A lot of AC problems don’t require an expensive fix or a lot of time, but there are other problems that could cost you nearly as much as a new AC unit would. In these cases, it’s generally better to shell out for a new AC and air conditioner installation costs.

There are numerous problems that can cost you a lot of money when it comes to air conditioner repair. While many refrigerant leaks are fairly easy to fix, there are some that involve crucial components of the unit which cost a fortune to fix. New motors are often fairly expensive as well, especially if you’ve got a model that’s hard to find parts for.

As long as you’ve got a simple AC problem, you probably don’t have to worry about investing in new air conditioner installation. If you have a problem with your AC and you’re wondering whether or not you should replace it, the best thing you can do is get in touch with an HVAC technician and have them take a look at your AC unit.

Efficiency

If you’ve got an older air conditioner, you have to consider how much money you’re spending on your monthly cooling bill. While it might seem expensive to pay for a brand new AC and air conditioner installation, you might be saving money if your current AC unit isn’t very efficient.

When you look at some of the older air conditioners, you’ll notice that they have a much lower SEER rating than newer models. SEER, or season energy efficiency ratio, describes how efficient an AC unit is. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the AC is. If you haven’t paid for air conditioner installation in a long time, your unit might have been manufactured at a time when SEER rating requirements were significantly lower.

Another thing you’ll want to keep an eye out for when you’re looking for shopping for an AC is whether or not the unit is ENERGY STAR certified. ENERGY STAR is a government organization that certifies certain electronics that are designed for high efficiency. If you get an ENERGY STAR-certified unit that’s also got a high SEER rating, you can count on spending less money and putting less stress on your air conditioner.

Power

When you pay an expert for air conditioner installation you’re also paying them to help you pick out an AC unit that’s powerful enough to cool your home. This means figuring out the right air conditioner for your needs based on how big your home is, the average outdoor temperature and how well your home is insulated. If you expand your home or change something significant, you might find that your old AC unit isn’t quite powerful enough for the job.

While having a powerful AC unit might seem like a luxury, it’s a necessity in a lot of cases. If you’re spending the money for a new AC unit and air conditioner installation, you should make sure you’re getting a unit that’s powerful enough for your needs. Having an AC that’s the right size will help you keep your home cool without overworking the unit or wasting money on your power bill.

Keep in mind that it’s also a bad idea to have an overpowered AC unit. As tempting as it might be to spend some extra money to get a more powerful AC, you’re going to end up spending a lot more on your monthly power bill if your AC is too powerful.

A Little Help

At the end of the day, there’s nothing more important than taking care of your home. When it comes to your heating and cooling systems, the best thing you can do is have a trusted professional you can call when things go wrong.

If you think it might be time for new air conditioner installation, K&S Heating and Air can help. When you need help finding the perfect AC for your Garland, TX, home, all you have to do is call K&S Heating and Air at (972) 942-8078.