You rely on your heating and air conditioning year-round to maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home. It is an essential piece of equipment that can easily be taken for granted. To ensure your unit continuously operates efficiently and effectively, you must be proactive about routine maintenance and you need to know when is the best time to upgrade to a new unit.
Old Heating and Cooling Equipment Costs More
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, air conditioners are responsible for approximately 6 percent of all electricity usage in the United States. And replacing an old, outdated unit with a modern energy efficient unit could save you up to 40 percent on your home’s cooling costs. If your A/C unit is more than 10 years old or your furnace is older than 15 years, you would likely see lower energy costs immediately by installing a new unit.
Signs You Need a New A/C
If your unit needs frequent repairs, it is most likely reaching the end of its useful life. The older a unit is the more difficult it is to get replacement parts and repair costs are typically higher. Some signs that you may need a new A/C unit include:
- If you notice temperature variations in some rooms of your home, your ductwork or HVAC unit may need attention from a professional technician. Improper equipment operation can cause the unit to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature, leading to equipment failure and costly repairs.
- When your unit cycles on and off frequently it is not working efficiently and is costing you more money than it should. Frequent cycling on and off is wasting energy and causing excess wear on your A/C components. With a programmable thermostat and a new, efficient A/C unit, you can save money by adjusting the temperature during times no one is home for long periods of time.
- Dampness around windows or condensation on the windows means your home has humidity problems. Older equipment and faulty ductwork do not remove excess humidity from the air the way a new unit does. High indoor humidity makes it more difficult for your body to cool down and results in the inside temperature of your home feeling warmer than it actually is.
How a New A/C Can Help You Save
- You will notice significant reductions on your energy bills.
- You won’t have to call for repairs as frequently, nor should you have to call for major or emergency repairs
- You will likely have a manufacturer’s warranty on the new unit, meaning that repairs that do take place within a certain window of time after purchase will be covered by the manufacturer.
If you notice your A/C unit getting louder or making a noise that you have not heard before, it is definitely time to contact a professional and consult with them on the cost of a new A/C unit, the ongoing costs of keeping your old unit.
If you have questions about how a new A/C unit could save on your energy costs, contact Snyder Heating & Air Conditioning.
