Is It Time to Replace Your Air Conditioning Unit? 

When summer arrives, it means that the weather is going to be hot again. This is particularly true if you live in an area with a hot climate. However, is your current AC unit ready for the task? If your answer is no, you’re probably wondering if you should fix or replace your AC.   

Before you hire a professional HVAC contractor Nampa Idaho, here are a couple of things you should know to determine if you need to replace your current AC system:  

Your AC is Using Old Refrigerant 

There are a lot of countries out there that are phasing out R22 refrigerant since it is risky and depletes the ozone layer. For those who don’t know, Canada has already banned the sale of R22 Refrigerant products as of January 2020. It will eventually be illegal to use existing R22. Thus, what does this mean?   

If you’ve got an old unit, chances are it is still using Freon. If the refrigerant leaks, it will be dangerous for the environment. Thus, it’s best to replace your unit.  

Old AC Units Are Not Energy-Efficient 

The energy usage of your AC unit is measured in terms of the ratio of the watt-hour of electrical consumption to the BTUs of cooling energy. Before, the old ratings for SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) were a minimum of 10. However, today, it has now increased to 13 or more.   

A modern energy-efficient system will lower your carbon footprint. Aside from that, it can also save money on your utility bills. You need to look for Energy Star Certification if you choose to replace your AC unit, whether you are looking for central air or ductless AC.   

How much you are spending on repairs is another factor. This is pretty common for old AC units. It can be time to replace your unit if it costs you a lot of money in repairs. Think about an enormous repair bill for an old system that might be 50% of the cost of a new replacement system.   

But, if you’ve got to make another expensive repair in a couple of years, that short-term cost-saving repair will cost you more than if you had bought a new unit in the first place. In addition to that, the new unit will come with a warranty. Of course, this warranty will give you trouble-free operation for a couple of years.   

Finally, you have to think about the comfort factor of your house. It may be time to replace your old unit with a new one if it is extremely noisy, cools unevenly, or leaves your indoor air sticky and humid.   

Replace or Repair AC Unit?  

The age of the unit plays a vital role when you’ve got to choose whether to replace or fix your AC system. Of course, it does not mean you’ve got to get rid of an old system immediately. However, when you’ve got an old air conditioning unit, make sure you keep in mind the things that are mentioned above. You might want to consider installing a new AC.