Now that summer is right around the corner, you may notice that your air conditioning system is not cooling as well as it has in the past. Energy efficiency plays a huge role in both your comfort and the cost of maintaining and repairing your unit. If your air conditioning system was installed prior to 2000, it was not subject to any minimum efficiency standards. You could be wasting hundreds of dollars a year on utility costs and repairs that wouldn’t be necessary with a newer unit. Now may be the time to consider an upgrade.
Is Now the Right Time to Upgrade Your Air Conditioner?
The age and energy efficiency of your current unit are the two most important factors to consider when you are thinking about an upgrade. One good way to determine the efficiency of your air conditioning system is to look at your utility bills for the past 12 months. As long as the utility company didn’t raise the rates, you should see a consistent pattern for your monthly bills. Gradually increasing costs indicate that your system has to work harder to produce the same result. Another sign of inefficiency is unequal distribution of cool air throughout your home. If your comfort level changes dramatically from room to room, it could be a sign of system inefficiency.
Look for a High Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)
The easiest way to predict how long your new air conditioning unit will last is by choosing one with a high SEER rating. In 2000, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) instituted mandatory rating systems on air conditioners, heat pumps and gas furnaces in order to protect consumers and the environment. The minimum acceptable SEER rating in the Brazos County is 14, but Malek offers units with SEER ratings as high as 19.
You can determine the approximate cost to operate the air conditioning unit through the cooling season by understanding how the SEER is calculated. The air output of the unit is measured in British Thermal Units (BTU) and is divided by the total energy use of a home or business as measured in watt-hours. Each unit is then assigned a rating based on how efficiently it kept a dwelling cool over a period of several days.
Benefits of Upgrading to a New Air Conditioning System
Any of our trained technicians at Malek can show you how to find your SEER rating and do a cost-benefit analysis to see how long it would take to recoup your investment for a new unit. You should notice an immediate decrease in your monthly utility bills (as much as 50%!) and you won’t need to schedule repairs as often. Additionally, you can expect even levels of comfort throughout your home or business. A new system produces cleaner forced air, which is good news for anyone who suffers from respiratory ailments.
Call Malek today to speak to one of our highly experienced Comfort Advisors about system replacement options! 979-446-0296