How has that air conditioner of yours been handling the heat of the summer? Are you pleased with its performance and efficiency? Or are you perhaps thinking that you’re going to need a new air conditioner sometime in the not-too-distant future?
Air conditioning replacement means planning to install a new system before your current one breaks down completely, and for many homeowners and property managers, the best time to do that is often during the milder spring or fall months rather than in the middle of extreme heat. If you’re weighing that decision, this guide looks at when to replace your AC, how weather affects the timing, which warning signs point to replacement instead of another repair, and why planning ahead can help you avoid a breakdown, stay comfortable, and benefit from a more reliable, efficient system. One of the biggest questions we get asked is when the best time for AC replacement is, and we’ll give you information so you can decide what’s best for you. Don’t wait to explore expert AC installation guidance to make an informed decision. Don’t put off AC replacement in Toms River, NJ any longer than necessary.
How Weather Affects AC Replacement Timing
The extremes of summer and winter weather might not be the most comfortable times for AC replacement. During summer, having to shut down your air conditioner, perhaps for up to eight hours, is not a pleasant prospect. During winter, having doors open and installation techs in and out can be a hassle and cause a chill.
It is definitely possible to have your air conditioner replaced at these times. You might decide that one sounds better than the other to you personally. Or, perhaps, the idea of a spring or fall AC installation is more appealing. During these seasons, the milder temperatures mean that you won’t be particularly inconvenienced by the lack of AC or by outdoor air coming in. For seasonal advice, check out when AC replacement is ideal.
Plan AC Replacement Before It’s Critical
Our most important advice when it comes to deciding on full air conditioning system replacement is not to wait until the unit has completely broken down, since complex HVAC work should be installed by a professional and often depends on skilled labor. This is most likely to happen during a high-use period of time like a heat wave, and you will quickly find yourself unpleasantly overheated or possibly even unsafe in those conditions.
To avoid ending up in this situation, you should plan your air conditioning replacement before you think it’s urgently necessary. This means assessing the state of your air conditioner regularly. A qualified HVAC contractor can help ensure the new system is installed properly and safely. Hiring a professional can also protect your warranty and flag any additional work needed for code compliance before installation starts. And right now, when you’ve been using it a great deal for the past few months, is the perfect time to make an assessment. In Toms River, the average cost for this kind of project is about $10,803, which is useful planning context.
Signs You Should Replace Your Air Conditioner
If your AC system has had routine maintenance done every year, it is likely to keep running well for 10 to 15 years. Without maintenance, it might only run for six or eight years. No matter how well you care for the system, at a certain point, routine maintenance just won’t quite do the trick anymore. Your system’s efficiency and effectiveness will drop. If you’ve missed a few tune-ups, learn what happens without AC maintenance.
Rising electric bills despite regular AC maintenance can point to declining efficiency in an aging unit, while uneven or insufficient cooling, increasingly frequent minor repair needs, or very costly major repair needs are also indicators that an old air conditioner has reached the end.
Start looking into your new AC options. There are some amazing new high-efficiency systems available now. Higher seer ratings mean better energy efficiency. Looking for ENERGY STAR air conditioning units with higher ratings can reduce utility bills and improve energy savings. Newer systems are often 30% to 50% more efficient than older equipment. Replacing an older unit with a higher-rated model can lower operating costs and cut energy bills by 30% to 50%, saving money over time.
Homeowners should also check for available rebates and the federal tax credit, which is 30% of equipment cost up to $600, to help protect the budget. Older systems may use R-22, while newer equipment with R-410A can improve efficiency and lower maintenance costs. Proper sizing is one of the key factors, since square footage affects the cooling system selection and an oversized system can hurt humidity control and comfort. Ductless mini-splits are a popular choice for small homes. As a general cost guide, air conditioning replacement for central air conditioning usually runs $5,200 to $12,000, while a central air unit is often $2,500 to $4,500, split systems are $2,000 to $3,000, window units are $150 to $1,000, and geothermal heat pumps are $4,200 to $12,000. We’d be delighted to discuss them with you and help you plan your AC replacement.
You’re More Comfortable With Atlantic Air Systems. Schedule your appointment with us today.