Although it may sound counterproductive to make a purchase to save money, this is often the case with an older air conditioning unit. Using old AC equipment in your Beckley, WV, home can cost you significant money that adds up without you even realizing it. Even though there is an initial cost when getting a new air conditioning system, this piece will explore the numerous ways that making that purchase will end up saving you money.
Energy Efficient
The primary benefit of upgrading your old air conditioning to a new system is that newer models are designed to be much more efficient with their energy consumption. They can provide you with more cooling comfort while using less electricity. This saves you money on your monthly energy bills. This is especially useful in the hot summer months when energy bills are usually at their highest. The US Department of Energy states that choosing a new, energy-efficient air conditioning unit to replace your old model can cut the cool costs on your energy bill by nearly 50%.
Less Frequent Repairs
Old air conditioning units require more frequent repairs to keep them running. Even after they are fixed, they usually aren’t running at peak performance, like when they were new. They continue to work harder to do the same amount of work. This puts extra stress on the different components of an old air conditioning unit, resulting in another repair needed sooner than later. With a new air conditioning unit, you likely won’t need anything but a bit of maintenance for many years.
Less Costly Repairs
Newer AC models are designed to be much more efficient and have longer lifespans. When a problem does arise that requires professional repair, the cost can be drastically reduced compared to the repair cost of older models. Depending on the model of the old air conditioning unit in your home, parts may be hard to come by. This may slow down the process of having an issue repaired.
Modern Choices
There are several different options available if you’re looking for a new installation. Newer AC units, like ductless mini-split HVAC systems, are becoming increasingly popular. These units can cost slightly more upfront but can be even more energy-efficient than traditional models. They have the added benefit of not requiring any sort of ductwork in your home. The lack of ductwork for these HVAC systems saves space, lowers maintenance requirements, and improves indoor air quality.
Humidity Reduction
Modern air conditioning units are a lot better at managing humidity when compared to older AC units. Humidity makes the air feel even hotter and more uncomfortable. If you’re running an old air conditioner that leaves your home humid, you’ll likely crank it up to make up for the humidity, further increasing your energy bill. If you have a new AC that better manages the humidity, you won’t need to turn the cool air up so high.
Increased Home Value
If you are looking to sell or refinance your home, installing a new air conditioning system can increase your home’s value. If someone were looking at your house and noticed your AC is 15 or more years old, you can expect a much lower offer. They know there will be the upcoming expense of repairs and replacement once they have purchased the home.
Freon Avoidance
Many older air conditioning units use Freon as their refrigerant. Due to the environmental issues associated with Freon, it is in the process of being phased out. The repair or maintenance of your old system will cost even more if Freon is being used. You can get ahead of this problem by upgrading to a newer AC unit that uses a new, environmentally friendly refrigerant. The most common products include R-410A and R-134A, which are non-ozone-depleting.
Zone Control
With modern air conditioning units, you can opt for equipment that allows you to set your home into different zones. This allows you to adjust the comfort in different rooms of the home according to the preferences of the people occupying them. It can further save money by allowing you to turn off the air in zones that aren’t being used.
Smart Technology
When upgrading your air conditioning unit, you can choose to have a smart thermostat installed. Some smart thermostats have the ability to learn your cooling preferences and schedules to automatically adjust for increased efficiency. As a bonus, many of them allow you to control the temperature from an app on your tablet or smartphone.
Improved Air Quality
Modern AC units can improve the air quality of your home. While this is a great advantage for your health, it can also save you money. With old air conditioners that result in poorer quality of air, this can affect allergies, asthma, or other respiratory issues in people living in your house. This can lead to pricy visits to a doctor or slow productivity for anyone who works from home.
Easier Maintenance
Cleaning and maintenance for newer air conditioning units tend to be much easier and faster. This can lead to a reduced cost of scheduled maintenance from a technician. Older units may require more work, which may affect the price of the work that’s being done.
Homeowner’s Insurance Cost
Depending on your insurance company, you may find that you can secure a lower homeowner’s insurance price when you replace an older air conditioner with a newer, more efficient model. This is because it can lower the insurance risk of your home by the provider’s standards. You can check with your insurance company to see if they offer a price incentive. There may also be rebates available when you purchase a new unit.
Outer Unit Inverter
With many new air conditioning models, the outdoor unit has an inverter that helps regulate the speed of the condenser to better match cooling needs. This adds an extra layer of efficiency that helps save money on energy bills and puts less stress on your entire system.
Extended Warranty
If you have had the same air conditioner for a long time, chances are that it is no longer under warranty. When you purchase a new air conditioning unit, it will come with a new warranty from the manufacturer of the equipment. You may even be provided with the option to get an extended warranty put into place. This means that you won’t have a big surprise repair cost if something happens while your new unit is under warranty that isn’t normally covered.
Delaying an upgrade is potentially delaying your potential savings. It’s essential that you contact an HVAC company about your different HVAC options. If you live in the Beckley area and need a new air conditioner or other HVAC services, Childers Air Plumbing & Electric can help. We offer maintenance, repairs, and installation of HVAC systems. In addition to HVAC services, we can help you with any plumbing or electrical needs. If you’d like information about any of their services, contact Childers Air Plumbing & Electric today.
