If the air conditioner unit in your Daytona Beach, FL home is more than ten years old, it is time for a replacement. While delaying an air conditioner replacement may buy you some time, it is likely not saving money. In fact, your old air conditioner could actually be costing you more in energy costs and repairs. The average lifespan of an air conditioning unit is between 10-15 years. Consequently, repairing a unit that is more than 10 years old will rarely be cost-effective.
In addition to the short remaining lifespan of your air conditioner, it is important to note that energy efficiency has come a long way over the past decade. As a result, your 10 year old air conditioner likely has a much lower SEER rating than the models on the market today. What this means is that you are paying considerably more to run your air conditioner than a replacement model.
For many years, Freon was the coolant of choice for all air conditioner sales in Daytona Beach. However, in recent years, the use of Freon was replaced by a new coolant known as R410A. Furthermore, the use of Freon is being phased out completely by the federal government in favor of this new, more efficient coolant. As a result, the cost of Freon has risen considerably over the past several years and will continue to do so until it is phased out entirely.
The need for frequent repairs can be an indicator that it is time for an AC replacement. The more often you find yourself repairing older models, the less likely it is that the repairs will have a lasting effect. Continuing to repair the unit will just end up costing you more money in the long run, money that could be better spent investing in a new unit.
While mechanical problems and old age may be the most common reasons for an air conditioner replacement, these are not the only reasons. You will also need to consider the overall effectiveness of the system. If your air conditioning unit is not keeping your home as cool as it should, this could be a sign that you have the wrong size unit for your home. This happens most commonly in homes that have been renovated since the unit was installed, however, it can happen in any home.