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Is Your Old Air Conditioner Saving Or Costing You Money?

Is Your Old Air Conditioner Saving Or Costing You Money?

Is Your Old Air Conditioner Saving Or Costing You Money?Replacing an air conditioner is a big investment, and one that you shouldn’t have to worry about very often. In lots of cases, a homeowner thinks they are saving money when they decide to put off an air conditioner installation. Is that actually true though? 

I’ve been replacing air conditioners and heat pumps around Southwest Virginia for 15 years now, and I’ve seen systems in all sorts of different conditions. In some cases, the system is well-maintained and running efficiently. In lots of other instances, we are going to replace an old HVAC system that doesn’t work well, and runs the energy bills through the roof. 

In this article, I’ll discuss the cost-effectiveness of an old cooling system versus a new one. If you want to speak to someone about a new cooling system for your home, whether that be an air conditioner or a heat pump, give Complete Comfort a call at (276) 690-9222, or reach out to us online. 

How Your Old AC May Be Costing You Money

If you have an old air conditioner, it may be costing you more money than you realize. Your AC should last anywhere between 10-20 years, depending on how well you take care of it. Once it gets above 10 years, you may start to see some problems with your cooling system. 

There are a few obvious ways it may be costing you money, and there are also some more subtle ways you may not realize. Here are a few ways your old AC is costing you more money than it should: 

High Energy Bills

If your old HVAC system is inefficient, it could be running your energy bills up higher than it should. You may think you are saving money because you are putting off the cost of a new HVAC system, but in reality, you are simply delaying the inevitable, while paying more in energy costs in the meantime. 

Older HVAC systems are less energy efficient than newer ones. Also, over the years, the efficiency of the system has likely decreased, and it costs more now to run than ever before. It may not always be obvious if the costs have slowly risen over time. We recommend inspecting your energy bill, and also comparing it to your energy-efficient neighbors. Most energy companies will allow you to look at a comparison to your old energy costs, as well as your neighbors. If you see that your costs are higher than they should be, it may be costing you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars in the long run. 

Repairs Needed

If your AC system is older, it may run into breakdowns and repairs being needed. Some of these are cheap and easy, but others can become costly. If you find that your system has needed more than 1 repair in the past 2 years, you may want to start considering a new HVAC system. If you had a car thaat broke down over and over, you wouldn’t want to keep pouring money into it. The same applies to your HVAC system. Instead of putting a band aid on a failing system replacing it will likely end up saving you money in the long run. 

Lower SEER Ratings

If you have an older AC, it could have a lower SEER Rating. This means a lower efficiency rating. As of January 2023, SEER rating requirements were updated, meaning that new AC systems had to be built with more energy-efficient ratings. This also means that older systems are likely less efficient. 

New AC systems with better SEER ratings are going to lower your energy bills, and likely improve your home comfort as well. 

How Replacing Your AC May Save You Money

When you install a new heat pump or air conditioner, it’s going to improve the comfort of your home, and it’s also likely going to help you save money in the long run. 

Energy Savings

With a brand new HVAC system, it’s likely to be far more energy efficient than your old system. With this new energy-efficient unit comes energy savings. You should see your utility bills go down, saving you money over the lifespan of your new system. 

No Repairs Needed

With a new HVAC system, fewer repairs are going to be needed. If you used to have an older system, it may break down or require some replacement parts. No longer is this a concern, at least for the first few years. With regular maintenance, you should have a smoothly running AC system for years to come. 

The Best Way To Make Your System Run Efficiently

The best way to get the most out of your cooling system is to schedule routine maintenance. This is going to help your system maintain energy efficiency and avoid costly breakdowns and repairs. When you schedule AC service, it comes along with a list of benefits: 

  • Improved energy efficiency
  • Lower energy bills
  • Longer system lifespan
  • Better indoor air quality
  • Better cooling

We recommend you have your cooling system serviced at least once a year. Call us at (276) 690-9222, or contact us online to schedule your AC service! 

Using Rebates and Tax Credits To Save Money

Lots of newer, energy-efficient HVAC systems qualify for rebates or tax credits that will help you save money on your new HVAC installation. These are put in place by government programs, HVAC manufacturers, and utility companies. They are aimed at reducing the initial cost of an HVAC system, and reducing the amount of energy we consume. These rebates and tax credits often aim to make our society greener and more eco-friendly, while also helping residents with their costs and comfort! 

Installing A New Cooling System In Southwest Virginia

If you think your old air conditioning system is costing you money after reading this article, give us a call at (276) 690-9222, or contact us online. One of our comfort specialists will be able to inspect your HVAC system, and let you know how it’s running. They can help you either with routine service, or give you a free estimate for a new HVAC system. No matter what your cooling system needs, we have you covered! At Complete Comfort, we care! 

Is It Cheaper To Run An Old AC Or Install A New One?

Is It Cheaper To Run An Old AC Or Install A New One?

Is It Cheaper To Run An Old AC Or Install A New One?Air conditioning is one of the essential systems of your home that help you stay comfortable in the Summer. Almost everyone loves to have that AC blasting when they walk in the door from a hot day. The thing people hate about their air conditioners are the costs associated with them. I know when I was growing up, my dad waited until the very last second to turn the AC on, so he could avoid those large energy bills that come along with running the AC. It leads us to the question: Is it cheaper to run an old AC or install a new one? 

I have been installing and repairing air conditioners in the area for years, from Emory to Marion, and have seen it all. From systems that haven’t had service in countless Summers, to beautiful well kept ACs that last for 20 years. In some cases, it makes sense to run the old AC, while in others, it could have actually been costing the homeowners more in the long run. 

In this article, I’ll go over a little more about how an old AC could be costing you money, and what you should look for to make a decision about installing a new system. If you want to speak to an air conditioning expert right away, give us a call at (276) 690-9222, or contact us online! 

How Is Your Old AC Costing You Money? 

There are certain cases where an air conditioning system works, but is subtly costing you money. In some situations, it’s obvious that the old AC is putting a dent in your wallet, and in others it may not be so evident. 

Frequent Repairs 

This is one of the obvious reasons. If your air conditioner is in need of repairs, it is clearly costing you money. It is inevitable that your AC is going to run into some issue over the decade plus lifespan it has, but if it’s happening often, it’s a clear sign this AC is costing you more than it should, and it needs to be replaced. 

If the repair is inexpensive, go for it. As long as the system is running well after the repair is performed, you should be in good shape. If the repair is very expensive, it’s a good time to consider an AC replacement. 

Your Energy Bills Are Very High

If your energy bills are soaring through the roof, it’s a sign your AC may not be running as efficiently as it should be. Every summer when you turn the air conditioning on, the energy bills are going to rise. But, if they are rising more than in the past, it could be an issue with your system. 

We recommend comparing your energy bills to last year’s, and to your energy efficient neighbors’. Lots of energy providers will give you data and statistics about your energy use compared to others, and to your own usage in the past. If you notice that you are using more than you think you should be, it could mean problems with your AC. 

We recommend asking a professional to assess the air conditioner, and let you know if this is what is causing the increased energy consumption. This is a clear case of the old AC costing you more than it should. 

Your AC Uses Freon

If your air conditioner uses Freon (R-22), it could mean that this older AC is going to cost you a few extra dollars. Freon is a refrigerant used in older AC systems. This gas is harmful to the environment, and in 2020, the U.S. halted production and importation of the substance. Now, if you have an older AC that needs a Freon recharge, it’s going to be VERY expensive. 

 

Today, no AC systems installed are going to use Freon. Most of them use cleaner, more efficient material, notably Puron. This does less damage to the ozone, and also does a better job of providing cooling. 

Should You Replace Your Air Conditioner? 

So if you are experiencing issues with your AC, or you feel that the old system is costing you more than it should, the question of replacing your AC arises. A few things I would consider: 

Is Your AC 10+ Years Old?

If your AC is having issues, and it’s 10+ years old, you are close to having to replace it anyway. Sinking money into repairs, especially expensive ones, is just putting off the inevitable replacement. 

Is Your AC Cooling The Home? 

If your AC isn’t cooling the home properly, have an HVAC technician come out and take a look at your system. You may be in need of service, or an adjustment to your ductwork. You could also just be at the end of the system’s life and need to find a replacement. 

Benefits Of A New AC

An Old AC Could Be Costing You MoneyIf you notice these issues with your cooling system, and decide it’s time to make the upgrade to a new air conditioner, it comes along with more than just a cooler home. 

  • Lower energy bills
  • 10+ year long lifespan
  • Increased comfort
  • WAY fewer repairs needed
  • A new warranty 
  • Rebates and tax credits to curb the costs 
  • Better indoor air quality 

If you factor in the savings on energy bills, potential rebates and tax credits available for high efficiency HVAC equipment, and the savings from no repairs being needed, sometimes a new AC is the more cost effective option. Especially if you are going to have to replace your air conditioner in the next few years anyway. If you run the old AC into the ground, it could cost you hundreds, even thousands of dollars more than it would if you made the switch now. 

If you are looking for help with a new air conditioner, just let us know! Complete Comfort has been working in the area for years, servicing, repairing, and installing air conditioners. We can assess your system, and let you know what the best options are to keep your home comfortable all year long!