As we prepare to enter another hot summer season, consider the age of your air conditioner. If your system is over 20 years old, you may want to consider a system replacement for many reasons.
AC System Lifespans
Before we dive into the reasons you should consider an upgrade, it can be helpful to understand how long air conditioning systems are meant to last. Traditional central air conditioning systems that use ductwork to deliver cold air to the various rooms in your home have a typical lifespan of around 20 to 25 years. On the other hand, heat pumps that provide heating and air conditioning for your home only have a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years. When you see these typical lifespan estimates, it becomes overly clear that a 20-year-old system will likely need replacement soon.
More Energy Savings
One of the most obvious reasons to upgrade your old air conditioning system is that newer systems tend to have a much higher efficiency rating. The more efficient your air conditioning system is, the less energy it will use. This translates to lower cooling costs throughout the entire summer season. You may be blown away at how much more efficient newer air conditioning systems are compared to those 20 to 25 years old. This means that a new system can pay for itself and more.
Lower Breakdown Risk
No one likes thinking about dealing with their air conditioning system breaking down in the middle of a hot summer day or night. Unfortunately, if you have an air conditioning system that’s 20 years old, it’s more prone to breaking down than a newer one. This is just the natural process of an outdated system with internal components nearing the end of their lifespan. Upgrading to a new system is a great way to drastically reduce your risk of experiencing a breakdown and give you more peace of mind about your system’s performance.
With lower breakdown risk comes peace of mind. While this cannot be calculated in dollars, a reliable system means that you have the time and bandwidth to enjoy the home you worked so hard for. You get to focus on yourself, your loved ones and your passions instead of finding the people and money to constantly fix a finicky system.
New Warranty Coverage
Air conditioners typically have a warranty range between 5 and 10 years. If your system is over 20 years old, it’s very unlikely that it is still covered under warranty if you haven’t purchased some form of extended home warranty. If you end up having your system break down on you, you’ll likely be paying out of pocket for the repair bills. When you invest in a new cooling system for your home, it comes with a brand-new warranty. This will help protect your financial interests if you do experience a breakdown anytime in the near future. When you purchase a new system, the parts and timespan that are covered by the new warranty is a good thing to consider as you shop around for the best deal for your home.
Newer Refrigerant
There’s no doubt that refrigerant is one of the most important components in any air conditioning system. It’s responsible for absorbing and transporting heat from inside your home to the outdoors. Unfortunately, many different types of refrigerants have been used in air conditioning systems over the years. Some of them are not very eco-friendly. The federal government has put a damper on using certain refrigerants in air conditioning and heat pump systems.
If you have an older air conditioning system, it likely uses one of these no-longer-permitted refrigerants. While you’re still legally running your system, finding a refrigerant to recharge it will be very costly and more challenging than having a system that uses one of the newer refrigerants. Even more so, when you upgrade to a new air conditioning system, you can have peace of mind knowing that your system is no longer contributing to environmental issues.
Variable-Speed Systems
One new technology that makes HVAC systems more efficient and provides better indoor comfort for homeowners is the variable-speed compressor. Traditional cooling systems can only operate at two different levels: off or 100% capacity. Your home doesn’t always need its air conditioning system to be blowing at 100%.
This is where the variable-speed compressor found in many newer air conditioning systems comes into play. It can operate at different capacity levels, like 50% or 60%, using less energy while still providing adequate comfort for your home. This translates into a lower overall cost for heating and cooling.
Higher Home Value
Another reason to consider upgrading that outdated air conditioning system is if you plan on selling your home in the future. Homes with an updated air conditioning system are going to have a higher value than homes that don’t. This can be especially helpful if you want to boost the resale value of your home for things like refinancing.
Tax Incentives and Local Rebates
One less-thought-about reason to upgrade that 20-year-old air conditioning system is that there are many tax incentives and local rebates that can help you recoup some of the cost. It seems that now, more than ever, governments, utility providers, and even HVAC manufacturers are rewarding homeowners for switching to more energy-efficient products.
By upgrading your old cooling system to a much more energy-efficient one, you can take advantage of a federal tax incentive under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. This can allow you to receive up to $3,200 as a tax credit on your federal tax returns. It’s common for local utility companies to provide rebate incentives as a credit on your energy bill. You may even find that the HVAC system manufacturer will give you a cash rebate for purchasing a new system.
Higher Cooling Capacity
Over the years, it isn’t uncommon for homeowners to add on to their existing home’s structure to add more living space. It could be through a major addition or just putting in a simple sunroom. When you add living space to your home, your cooling needs will increase. If you still rely on a 20-year-old system, its cooling capacity may not meet your current demands. Getting a replacement for your air conditioning system that’s sized to your new square footage can provide you with a more comfortable indoor environment.
Enjoy Smart System Features
Another reason to consider upgrading your existing system is that newer systems come with more advanced smart features that can make your system more convenient. These include Wi-Fi connectivity, learning capabilities, and even integration with smart home devices like smart fans and occupancy sensors.
Expert AC Replacement Service
Fox Heating, Cooling & Plumbing offers expert AC replacement service for the Wheat Ridge, CO area. We can also assist with all your heating and cooling repair, installation, and maintenance needs. Call us today to book an appointment.
