Summers in Shreveport mean average daily temperatures of 90 degrees or higher. Living comfortably requires an air conditioning system that is up to the task of cooling down your home on a hot summer day. If your current air conditioning system is not up to that challenge, it might be time for an upgrade. The following are eight great reasons to consider an air conditioning upgrade for your home.
1. Your Cooling System Is Showing Its Age
Sadly, nothing lasts forever. That holds true for central heating and air systems. Eventually, they are going to wear down and need to be upgraded. A decent air conditioning system lasts 15 to 20 years if properly maintained.
Among the many signs of an air conditioning system that is nearing the end of its useful lifetime are strange noises coming from the unit, foul odors, and warm air instead of cool air coming from your vents. These symptoms indicate a pressing need for repair to prevent an expensive emergency breakdown.
Unfortunately, even a prompt repair does not guarantee that an older air conditioner will not break down again. Additionally, experts suggest that if a repair is going to cost half a new cooling system, it makes financial sense to consider an upgrade.
A new air conditioning system offers peace of mind because you don’t have to worry about it breaking down when you need it most. It will also keep you and your family more comfortable, even during the hottest days of summer.
2. Your Energy Bills Have Shot Up
Running the air conditioning is a significant expense for any home. When a unit is no longer running effectively, it strains the system, which triggers higher utility bills. For instance, a cooling system with a worn-out compressor must run longer to keep your home at the temperature you have set. Poor energy efficiency also results when other components, such as fan motors, coils, and refrigerant lines, degrade due to years of wear and tear.
Another consideration is that older units’ Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is typically lower than that of modern units. Higher SEER ratings indicate more efficient systems, which consume less energy for the same cooling output. Air conditioners made 15 or 20 years ago might have a SEER rating of 10. A new air conditioner can have a SEER rating of 18 and above, which is the recommended rating. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests that modern air conditioners can be up to 40% more efficient than those manufactured just a decade ago. Higher SEER ratings translate to lower energy bills.
In addition, newer systems offer integration with smart thermostats. Many of these devices have algorithms that learn your family’s daily routine over time. By running in an energy-saving mode, they will reduce cooling when no one is home. However, they also ensure that your home’s temperature is ideal when you arrive home after work or your children return from school. Smart thermostat apps produce monthly energy use reports as well. You can use these to understand if your energy-saving efforts are effective and make adjustments if necessary. They can also help you pinpoint problematic areas of your home that may need an upgrade to their insulation or windows.
3. Your Home Will Be More Comfortable
The main reason for having a working air conditioning system is to provide comfort in the home. That cooling comfort from an AC also promotes quality sleep, which is important for overall health.
A new air conditioning system uses the latest technological advances to ensure precision temperature control. For example, modern units use variable-speed technology to maintain your home’s comfort level. Older systems rely on single-speed motors, which blast cold air when your thermostat calls for cooling. New systems solve this issue by bringing your home to the correct temperature and then maintaining it by running much slower. Along with better comfort control, this technology reduces the amount of wear and tear a central air conditioner will experience over its lifetime.
4. A Quiet Experience
If you have been running your older air conditioning system for a while, you may not notice how loud it is. An upgrade will surprise you with its quiet operation, making you wonder how you used to put up with the noise of your cooling system.
5. A New Warranty
Most air conditioning system warranties typically last 10 years. Of course, the moment the warranty expires is often when the troubles start. With a new air conditioning system, you’ll benefit from the start of a new warranty. You can rest assured that if it has an issue or breaks down, you will be covered and will not have an out-of-pocket expense to deal with. This allows you to budget money for a vacation or something else you want without hesitating because you may have to pay for air conditioner repair services.
6. A New Air Conditioner Is More Eco-Friendly
The older the air conditioner, the more likely it will harm the environment. Fifteen years ago, the majority of air conditioners used R-22. That is a refrigerant integral to producing cold air. R-22 is one of the many chemicals that contribute to the breakdown of the ozone layer. Additionally, if that chemical leaks from the unit, it can present a hazard to the surrounding soil.
Recently, air conditioning manufacturers have developed safer refrigerants. When shopping for a new air conditioner, look for systems that use the newest coolants, R-32 or R-45b. Units using this greener coolant will deliver the desired cooling comfort without compromising the environment, which is a win for everyone.
7. A New Air Conditioner Boosts Your Home’s Value
Prospective homebuyers want to know how effective the AC is in a home they are thinking about buying. An upgrade to your current air conditioning system can boost your home’s value by as much as 10%. Of course, you don’t have to sell your house to benefit from that boost. That added value helps if you want to refinance your home loan or set up a home equity line of credit.
8. You Can Purchase the Right Size
If you inherited your air conditioner from the previous owner, there is no guarantee they installed the correct size. Your air conditioner could be working overtime to cool a home it wasn’t designed for.
A new air conditioner installed by a reputable HVAC professional will match the cooling needs of your home. It will be just the right size to provide superior cooling without wasting energy.
Contact the Professionals
At Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co., we have worked hard to gain and maintain a good reputation in the Shreveport, LA area for over 65 years. We install, repair, and maintain all kinds of heating and cooling systems. In addition, we provide indoor air quality and water heater services. You can also count on us for your plumbing needs including leak detection, drain cleaning, and backflow testing and prevention. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced professionals.
