Think back to last summer: Did your air conditioner work like you expected? Did it give you more problems than you would like? It may be tempting to try to get one more summer’s worth of performance out of your ailing cooling system, but the disadvantages may be more trouble (and expense) than they’re worth. Here are some signs that it’s time to replace your air conditioner with a newer, more efficient and reliable model.
- Poor cooling quality: An air conditioner that’s about to fail will work much less effectively. The air coming from the system will not be as cool as it should be, even if you have the unit on its highest setting. You may see uneven cooling that leaves some areas of your home warmer or clammier than others. Possibly the unit will stop producing cooling altogether. Call your trusted HVAC provider for a maintenance visit; if that doesn’t improve your air conditioner’s performance, start looking for a new one.
- High cooling bills: Older air conditioners are less efficient than their newer counterparts, which means they cost more to operate. If your system’s Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) is 10 or lower, consider investing in a new high-efficiency model. Current air conditioners must have a SEER of at least 13, with 16 and above usually denoting high efficiency. With a high SEER rating, you’ll save money and energy while enjoying dramatically improved indoor comfort levels.
- Age and condition: You should be able to get 10 or 15 years of service out of your air conditioner, and maybe more if it’s been well maintained. However, if you’re having consistent breakdowns, or the total cost of repairs exceeds half the cost of a new unit, it’s time to get a replacement.
Since we were founded in 1956, Climate Control Company has been providing professional heating and air conditioning services to customers in western Colorado, including Aspen, Vail and Glenwood Springs. Please contact us today for expert help deciding if you need an air conditioner replacement, or to see a full line of new high-efficiency air conditioners that will meet your home cooling needs for years to come.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Aspen, Vail and the surrounding Western slope communities in Colorado about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air conditioner replacement and other HVAC topics, please visit our website.
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