6 Signs That Indicate You need an Air Conditioner Upgrade

Tori Klein • September 8, 2022

If you aren't getting the most out of your air conditioner in terms of comfort and energy efficiency, it might be time to upgrade.

Picture of a remote control for an AC unit

Your home in Oregon wouldn't be complete without an effective air conditioner. If you aren't getting the most out of your air conditioner in terms of comfort and energy efficiency, it might be time to upgrade. These harbingers herald the arrival of a brand-new order.


1. Your House isn’t cool enough


There are two possible reasons why your home isn't cool enough. The first is an HVAC system that isn't being properly cared for since it is unclean or improperly maintained. If you want the most out of your air conditioner, you should have it serviced once a year.


Dust and grime will accumulate in your HVAC system, and you may experience additional issues, such as loose parts or a lack of lubrication if you haven't kept up with the appropriate maintenance activities. If that's the case, arranging for maintenance might fix the issue without buying a new system.


It's possible that your air conditioner is too small and a tune-up can't fix the problem. No matter how well kept your unit is, it will be ineffective if it is too tiny for the size of your home. An HVAC professional can advise you on the most suitable size. Comfort levels at home can be significantly enhanced by upgrading to a properly sized unit.


2. The HVAC Technician is a Familiar Face in Your Home

A professional HVAC technician should be consulted once in a while for maintenance and inspections. If they come often enough, the cost of fixing things can quickly exceed the cost of a new system. Consider the energy savings you can expect from a replacement and compare it to the cost of repairs. A new air conditioner could end up saving you money.


3. You Want to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint


The average American household generates 3,500 pounds of carbon dioxide and 31 pounds of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere each year due to their power consumption, as the United States Department of Energy reported. Your system's efficiency determines how much of a role you play in these emissions.


The SEER rating of your system describes the energy required to produce a certain amount of cooling by your system. An acceptable SEER for older systems is 6, but the current minimum for new systems is 13. The more efficient your SEER rating, the less impact your air conditioner has on the environment.


4. Your Utility Bills Give You the Willies


The effectiveness of your air conditioner may progressively decrease as time passes. Also, modern equivalents to older models consume far less energy. Compared to those made in the mid-1970s, today's most efficient air conditioners reduce energy consumption by 30% to 50%. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that replacing an air conditioner less than 10 years old will save energy bills by 20% to 40%.


5. You Are Using The Same System For More Than A Decade


It's recommended to replace an AC unit every 10 years. A central air conditioner will last anywhere from 15 to 20 years, depending on how well maintained it is. After ten years, the technology and efficiency of an air conditioner will have significantly deteriorated. You can save more energy costs if an improvement is made as soon as possible.


6. You Want More Control


If you find maintaining a pleasant temperature in your house challenging, upgrading your present system may be the solution. By using heat pumps for both heating and cooling, you can strategically arrange them in different rooms using a ductless system. Using this method, you can save money by just running the heat pumps in the rooms that require them.


A programmable thermostat can also give you great control, letting you select the ideal settings for each time of the day.


Consult an HVAC professional to advise on which system best suits your home. We can assist you in choosing an air conditioner that is appropriate for your home based on its square footage, budget, and personal preferences for coolness and warmth.


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