With adequate maintenance, your air conditioner can last 15 years or longer. But even the most well-maintained air conditioner will need to be removed down the road.

When you’re beginning to plan for air conditioning installation in Lake Worth, we are aware that the expense tops your list of questions. The good news is that installing a new air conditioner may be more affordable than you think it is, due to rebates, our special offers and financing for qualified customers. You’ll also receive enhanced energy efficiency, which will likely pay off over its life span through cheaper cooling bills.

Here’s what to expect when you’re replacing your air conditioner.

When You Should Schedule Air Conditioner Replacement

Knowing when to repair or replace your air conditioner may be difficult. Here’s what we recommend.

Replace

  • Your air conditioner is more than 10 years old. While some may work longer, many air conditioners last for around 15 years with routine maintenance. We recommend prepping for air conditioning replacement near the 10-year age. Even if you get a new one when it’s only a decade old, the U.S. Department of Energy says this tweak could save you 20-40% on cooling costs.
  • You’ve neglected regular maintenance for many years. Much like a car, your cooling system needs routine air conditioning maintenance. Skipping this crucial service can result in diminished efficiency, more frequent repairs and even a reduced life span.
  • Your air conditioner needs frequent or costly repairs. Needing air conditioning repair is usually the consequence of overlooking tune-ups But as your air conditioner gets older it’s more likely to experience a big breakdown. When repairs are more than half the cost of a new air conditioner, you should get a new one.
  • Your residence is uncomfortable. If your house feels too sticky or you’re dealing with hot and cold spots in specific spaces, your air conditioner could be having difficulty keeping up. This is a clue you need to replace it.
  • Your energy bills are expensive. Your air conditioner becomes less efficient as it becomes older. As a result, it could need to work more repeatedly or longer to keep your house at your desired temp. Newer air conditioners have the top energy-efficient technology to keep your home cool and utility bills low.
  • Your air conditioner uses R-22 refrigerant. If your air conditioner was purchased before 2010, there’s a good chance it uses Freon. Also referred to as R-22, this refrigerant is no longer being made as a result of its damaging effects on the environment. You can keep using your air conditioner, but if it were to have a refrigerant leak, fixing that would be extraordinarily expensive. This is because R-22 is only available in limited, recycled amounts.

Repair

  1. Your air conditioner is under 10 years old. If your air conditioner is newer, it’s ideal to repair it.
  2. Repairs are infrequent or reasonable. The wisest way to prevent emergency repairs is to have annual work done. But when repairs are only needed every so often or are inexpensive, repair your air conditioner.
  3. Your air conditioner has a valid warranty. Most air conditioners come with a 5- to 10-year limited warranty that typically covers the compressor. Your exact warranty length depends on your manufacturer, but it provides valuable protection in the event of a big failure. If your air conditioner is covered by warranty, we advise fixing it.

General Estimate of Air Conditioner Cost

Many homeowners spend around $4,631 on a new air conditioner, based on national averages compiled by HomeGuide. Air conditioner cost averages often range from $3,350 to $5,912, but your exact cost {might|could|may] vary.

There are a few aspects that impact your total cost, like:

  • The air conditioner model you choose, because more energy-efficient ones are pricier.
  • The size your space needs.
  • If you need to install new ductwork, which can happen if your ductwork is dated or inefficient.

We give free estimates at Smyth Air Conditioning so you can be confident you’re getting a good deal. And with our wide range of air conditioners, there’s an energy-efficient model that works with just about any budget.

Air Conditioner Size

Air conditioner size is essential. A system that’s undersized will have difficulty keeping your residence cool. And one that’s too big may turn on and off too frequently, or short cycle. This behavior can increase your cooling costs and wear your air conditioner out faster. This could also create temperature variability and make your house feel less cool.

At Smyth Air Conditioning, our professionals have many years of experience in properly sizing and installing the right air conditioner for your residence. The right size depends on how large your residence is, along with several other factors. Some of the most typical sizes include:

  • 2 ton, which cools up to 1,000 square feet
  • 3 ton, which cools up to 1,600 square feet
  • 4 ton, which cools up to 1,900 square feet
  • 5 ton, which cools more than 2,000 square feet

Other considerations that can influence air conditioner size are:

  • The temperatures in Lake Worth.
  • Ductwork quality and age.
  • How many windows your home has and the style, since big or picture windows can be less efficient.
  • If your residence gets more sun or shade.
  • Insulation quality and thickness.
  • How many people are in your household.

SEER Ratings

Your air conditioner’s efficiency is linked to its SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. This rating measures how proficiently it transforms electricity to create cooling. The higher the ranking, the more efficient the air conditioner is.

When you’re installing a new air conditioner, it’s important to realize:

  • Older air conditioners are classified around 8-9 SEER.
  • Modern air conditioners start at 13 SEER. Ones installed in the southwest and southeast must be at least 14 SEER due to U.S. Department of Energy requirements. As of 2017, these SEER rating requirements have saved homeowners trillions of dollars.
  • ENERGY STAR®-certified air conditioners begin at 14.5 SEER.
  • Higher SEER-rated air conditioners come with more features to help you save more. These features may include variable-speed cooling. Instead of operating at 100% continuously, these air conditioners can adjust blower speeds based on your cooling requirements. This creates quieter and more energy-efficient cooling. While an air conditioner with a better SEER rating is usually pricier, it may be eligible for more rebates. And the energy savings over its lifetime may help it pay for itself.

Start Your Air Conditioning Installation with Smyth Air Conditioning Right Away

When you’re researching air conditioning replacement, the company who puts it in is just as important as the model you go with. Smyth Air Conditioning is one of the most trusted names for air conditioning installation in Lake Worth. From helping you find the right solution for your residence to going over financing options to professional installation, collaborating with us is a breeze. Reach us at 561-533-6066 to begin today!