Why Does the Age of Your Central Air Conditioner Matter?

The older your central air conditioner is, the less money it will cost to repair or replace it. If you live in an older home and have been contemplating a new air conditioner installation, waiting until you can afford a new one will save you money down the road.

Budgeting

When budgeting for a new central air conditioning system, knowing the age of your current unit is crucial. It’s common for homeowners to replace their old system due to high repair costs or want more energy efficiency from their new unit. If your system is working fine, keeping it might be more economical than buying a new one. It depends on age and condition and how much energy it uses compared to recent models.

Energy Efficiency

The EPA conducts annual tests on all types of HVAC units — including central air conditioners — to determine their energy efficiency ratings (EER). A higher EER rating indicates that the unit uses less energy than lower-rated models. In addition to determining how efficient an air conditioner is at heating and cooling your home, knowing its EER rating can also help you decide whether or not you should replace it with something newer.

Should You Repair or Replace?

If your air conditioner is over 15 years old, it may be time for replacement rather than repair. Living in an area with extreme temperatures and humidity could shorten its lifespan even further.

Determine the Cost of Preventive Maintenance

Regular maintenance should be part of your routine if you want to keep your central air conditioner running smoothly and efficiently for as long as possible. Preventive maintenance will help eliminate potential problems before they happen — saving you time and money on costly repairs or replacements down the line.

Locate the Condenser Name Plate

The nameplate on top of your condenser unit should contain information about when it was manufactured. This includes model number, serial number, date code (month/year), factory location, and part number.

Check the Product Label On the Blower Compartment

Check the product label on the blower compartment if you have access to your HVAC system. You can find it by opening up a panel on your HVAC unit and looking for it on one of the metal fins. You may need an inspection mirror or flashlight to shine into this area. The label will list information such as:

• Manufacturer name and model number (i.e., Lennox XC21)
• Year of manufacture (i.e., 2014)
• Serial number
• Date of Installation

The installation date is typically printed on an identification tag attached to the outside doorframe, but some manufacturers print it directly onto their products as well. This can help homeowners determine whether or not their system needs repairs or replacement due to its age or if they're just experiencing issues because of normal wear-and-tear.

Call Rooter Hero Plumbing

Now you have everything you need to know about your central air conditioner. It's time to put that information to good use. You can use this information for an air conditioner unit replacement or if you feel like having an AC repair will be a better option. Rooter Hero Plumbing can help you determine which solution meets your needs.