Has your air conditioner kicked the bucket? Is it on its last legs? Whether it has completely stopped functioning or it groans like an old truck whenever it gets going, you might find that it is best to look for a new one. It’s important to do this ahead of time–you don’t want to be searching for air conditioning on one of those hot or cold days when you need it most. By then, everyone else has the same idea and air conditioning contractors are booked up.
Before replacing your air conditioner, there are several things that you should consider. These will help you to make sure you are making the right decision.
Does Your Air Conditioner Really Need to Be Replaced?
What exactly is wrong with your current system? Has it completely stopped working? Is it no longer cooling or heating effectively? Are your air conditioning bills too high? Is it just old and you think a new one will be better?
The reason why you want to replace it is important. Sometimes air conditioners have completely had it, but at other times simple repairs or even maintenance can have them running like new again. If it is functioning poorly, the first thing that you should do is clean the filters.
If that doesn’t improve things, we recommend contacting your air conditioning installer to conduct some servicing and maintenance on your system. They will do things like clean out both the condenser and the evaporator, change the filters, clean the fan blades, and even clean the coils if they have become dirty. If these methods don’t improve the performance of the system, they will be able to give you confirmation that it is time for a replacement.
Will a New One Be More Efficient?
If your air conditioner is old or a low quality model, it might not be very efficient. Whether it struggles to cool your home or it causes your power bill to skyrocket, you may find that a newer model is much more effective.
Before you commit to purchasing a new air conditioner, you should make sure that you are using your current system properly. There are several steps you can take to significantly reduce the strain on your air conditioner and your power bills. One of the most important is to make sure that your home is properly insulated. This includes wall and roof insulation, double glazed windows, sealing up any gaps and using draught excluders – all will assist the efficient operation of your air conditioner.
It is also recommended that you set your thermostat to a minimum of 24°C in summer & maximum of 21°C in winter. For every degree lower or higher, it uses a significant amount more energy. A well maintained unit is also important to ensure that it is operating efficiently.
These techniques should help to make your air conditioner run more effectively and bring down your electricity bills. If you find that they are still high, you can consider upgrading your air conditioner to a more efficient model. If you do, make sure that you get one that is adequately sized for your home, with a high energy rating. For energy efficiency, ducted systems and wall-splits are usually best.
Make Sure It’s the Right Size
When replacing your air conditioner, you need to make sure that it is the right size for your home. Don’t automatically get one with the same output as the last. There is a chance that your home may have been measured incorrectly.
It may be worth getting your home audited once again, because the wrong sized air conditioner can end up costing you more in the long run. This is because air conditioners that are too big don’t cycle properly. They cool down the place quickly, then shut off, only to turn on again when needed. This process ends up being very inefficient. An air conditioner that is too small will be forced to go into overdrive as it struggles to keep up. This also uses more energy.
Look Out for Rebates
Air conditioners come at a significant cost, so it is good to look for rebates where possible. Often, the government provides rebates to encourage you to buy air conditioners with a higher energy efficiency rating. If you were going to get an air conditioner anyway, they are essentially free money. Being encouraged to purchase a more efficient model will also work out better for you in the long run.
Find a Reliable Contractor
Like any industry, there can be good and bad contractors in air conditioning. Air conditioners can be expensive, so it is important that your find a trustworthy company that can replace your old one for you. You can do this by looking at reviews, or by asking for recommendations from your community.
Replacing Your Air Conditioner Without the Worry
As with any big purchase, you should consider your air conditioner replacement carefully before making any decisions. If you think about each of these aspects beforehand, you can be more confident that your new air conditioner will be right for your situation. You will be surprised at how much money you can save by choosing your new air conditioner carefully.
