How to decide when to replace your air conditioner

No one wants to replace their aging air conditioner unless they have to, but sooner or later, for the sake of your sky-rocketing utility bills, it has to be done.

The most common reason that people replace their air conditioners is because the compressor in the air conditioning unit has failed. The compressor is the heart of any central air conditioner or heat pump. If the compressor fails, it can't be repaired. It must be replaced, usually at a cost that is equal to about 50% of the cost of a brand new air conditioner. If your air conditioner is 10 years old or more when the compressor goes, it is usually more economical to replace the whole air conditioner. At this stage, it is only a matter of time before other parts begin to wear out as well. Air conditioning technology is producing increasingly energy efficient and environmentally friendly units, so if you're not sure whether to replace your older unit, take a look at your utility bills.

 

Does size matter?

Air conditioners are like shoes: when they don't fit, people get uncomfortable. The key to an efficiently cooled home is an air conditioning system that is tailored to the house. When professional contractors size an air conditioner, they perform a heat-load calculation, which takes into account such factors as the size of the house, the number of occupants, the amount of window space, the insulation values of the house, and the amount of sunlight exposure the house receives.

Many people naturally assume that a bigger air conditioner means more cooling power. However, when an air conditioner is too big for a house, it cools the indoor air too quickly before it shuts off, that is, before all of the humidity can be removed from the air. As a result, the indoor air becomes cold and damp, which is the perfect breeding ground for molds and many bacteria. Often, an air conditioning unit that is slightly undersized for the home delivers the most efficient cooling job. The bottom line is that you need someone who has a thorough understanding of the factors involved (i.e., a good professional HVAC contractor) to determine the correct size of air conditioner for your home.

 

Shopping for energy efficiency

For anyone concerned about their utility bill, an air conditioner's SEER number is an important factor to consider. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which is a measure of how much cooling you get for a given amount of energy. An efficient air conditioner will have a SEER number above 12.