With summer approaching soon, now might seem like a good time to upgrade your AC to prepare for the warm weather. However, it can be tough to decide whether you need a new AC or not, especially if you’re on a tight budget. There are a handful of things you should consider before calling an air conditioner installation company. If you’re thinking about upgrading to a new AC for your home this summer, here’s how you can decide if you’re ready for an upgrade.

Age

The easiest way to decide if it’s time to replace your AC is to look at the age of your AC vs. the average lifespan of a central air conditioner. If you had your AC installed a long time ago, it might be nearing the end of its expected life.

On average, you can expect to get about 15 to 25 years out of a central air conditioner. The tricky part about deciding if you’re ready for new air conditioner installation based on this information is the fact that the life of your AC depends on a lot of things. The more you use your AC, the quicker it’s going to wear down. The more you stick to seasonal maintenance, the longer your AC will last. Keep this in mind when you’re deciding whether or not it’s time to replace your AC based on its age.

Efficiency

Another reason you might want to upgrade your AC is to get improved efficiency. While some homeowners might not mind paying a little extra to keep their home at a comfortable temperature, saving money is important to most people. New air conditioner installation means you have a chance to upgrade to something more efficient, which saves you money and keeps your home more comfortable.

As far as air conditioner efficiency goes, it’s all about the SEER rating. The higher the SEER rating of an AC unit, the more efficient it is. The good news is, today’s AC units have a minimum SEER rating of 13, which is much higher than it used to be. As long as you’re having an AC installation performed by a reputable company, you can count on getting an air conditioner that’s significantly more efficient than your old unit.

Comfort

Comfort is also a key to good air conditioning, so you might want to upgrade if you’re having trouble keeping your home at a comfortable temperature. Older air conditioners lose their cooling power over time, and a lack of efficiency means they just don’t cool as well as newer models in general. A new air conditioner is a great way to make sure your air conditioner is powerful enough to cool your Garland, TX, home.

Keep in mind that you don’t want to go too far when it comes to comfort. Some homeowners assume that opting for the largest and most powerful AC is the best way to go when it comes to comfort, but that’s not the case. Properly sizing an AC for your home is important because it ensures you get the right amount of cooling power without paying a fortune or overworking your HVAC system.

Before springing for a new AC, make sure you ask your air conditioner installation technician about choosing the right size AC for your home. We can help you figure out which AC is best for your home based on size, insulation quality, and several other factors, so you get the perfect unit for your home.

Get an Inspection

If you’re not sure whether it’s time for new air conditioner installation or not, have your current air conditioner inspected to see if there are any looming problems. It could be that your AC is in good shape and has several more years left, or you could have a serious AC problem that you simply weren’t aware of.

It’s important to consider the cost of repairs when you’re deciding whether to repair or replace your AC. If an inspection reveals that you’ve got a major problem and your AC is 15 or 20 years old, it’s probably best to replace it. While some fixes may be worth it, you shouldn’t spend too much money fixing an old air conditioner when you could spend a little more to upgrade to something new. An air conditioner installation technician can help you decide if your old unit needs an upgrade now or if you can wait a bit.

Making the Right Upgrade

Making the right decision is important when it comes to air conditioner installation. You’re going to be stuck with the AC you purchase for another 15 or 20 years at least, and it could even be another 30 years. It’s important to talk with experts and review all your options to make sure you’re getting an AC that’s right for your home.

While SEER rating is an important factor, you should also look at some of the other features of air conditioners. Some models are designed to be extra quiet while others may be designed for additional cooling power. Ultimately, it may be best to talk with an air conditioner installation expert to figure out which model is best for your home.

Call K&S Today

Air conditioners are an important thing to have in Texas, especially in the middle of summer. If you’ve been having trouble with your AC the past few years, now is the perfect time to upgrade to something newer and more efficient. Even better, the air conditioner installation experts at K&S Heating & Air can help you find the best AC unit for your Garland, TX, home. We can even get your AC installed for you and help you keep up with seasonal maintenance over the years, so you get the most out of your AC. To find out more or schedule AC installation today, call K&S Heating & Air at 972-942-8078.