Air conditioning technology has been through many advances over the past few years, most of which are geared towards energy conservation. As such, home owners might want to consider whether or not their current system is worth a major repair if it breaks down. New systems use half of the electricity that older models consume, and their cooling performance is noticeably better. Generally, major repairs for systems that are over eight-years-old are not worth the cost.
Systems that are a decade old or more, use double the electricity that even the cheapest new units use. Performance is measured in Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), and old units are rated less than 10 SEER. Today’s models range from 13-16 SEER. The government or local utilities may also offer incentives to buy these higher rated systems.
A poorly insulated home will make an aging central cooling system work much harder than it should, and this will put extra strain on its mechanical parts. Adding proper insulation may help homeowners to get more life out an older system. If this isn’t possible, then a smaller system could replace it. The equipment cost would be cheaper and so would the energy use.
Any AC replacement Dallas area specialist should inspect a home to determine how well it is sealed against air leakage. Any deficiencies such as gaps, cracks, and holes in a wall or floor should be fixed. Extra insulation blown into walls could decrease electricity bills almost 30 percent. The federal government offers energy tax credits up to $500 for efficiency upgrades in the home. Certainly, this makes holding onto a slightly older system more attractive.
When AC replacement is inevitable, it’s important to obtain a load calculation, which is a method that will determine how big of a unit is needed in order to effectively cool a given space. This involves software that takes various variables into account, such as insulation thickness, the number of windows, and how the home faces the sun. Homeowners should receive several bids-at least 3-from contractors who offer a summary of the load calculation. This is evidence of the correctly-sized system to meet a customer’s exact needs, ensuring that he or she will not be charged for an unnecessary and more expensive AC unit.
