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when should you replace your old central a/c unit?
- Thread starter JEDI
- Start date
Most wait until it stops working, but that may not be the best.
Ask yourself this.
How long do you plan to stay there?
How much will you save over that time frame with a new 13+ seer unit?
Do you have enough to replace the FULL system and get the tax credit?
and so forth.
but if it is as bad as you say then your seer rating may be half what it was when it was new, let alone the age of duict work, air handler, etc...
Ask yourself this.
How long do you plan to stay there?
How much will you save over that time frame with a new 13+ seer unit?
Do you have enough to replace the FULL system and get the tax credit?
and so forth.
but if it is as bad as you say then your seer rating may be half what it was when it was new, let alone the age of duict work, air handler, etc...
rivan
Diamond Member
Are you trying to save the planet or your wallet?
Save the planet = replace now.
Save your wallet = replace when it dies. Higher efficiency units will save you some, but the cost of replacement will take quite some time to make up. How long depends on many personal factors - the cost/model of replacement, number of cooling days per year, home efficiency, just how bad your current one is. It's not as if going from 8-->13 will use 40% less electricity.
We replaced our main unit year before last when it died, went from a non-SEER rated unit (installers guessed it at about a 6) to a SEER 16 and we saw perhaps 15-20% lower impact from AC use on the electric bill (not 20% lower total bill). Hard numbers are difficult as we also switched from electric to gas dryer.
Save the planet = replace now.
Save your wallet = replace when it dies. Higher efficiency units will save you some, but the cost of replacement will take quite some time to make up. How long depends on many personal factors - the cost/model of replacement, number of cooling days per year, home efficiency, just how bad your current one is. It's not as if going from 8-->13 will use 40% less electricity.
We replaced our main unit year before last when it died, went from a non-SEER rated unit (installers guessed it at about a 6) to a SEER 16 and we saw perhaps 15-20% lower impact from AC use on the electric bill (not 20% lower total bill). Hard numbers are difficult as we also switched from electric to gas dryer.
SarcasticDwarf
Diamond Member
True, but I would also wait until the winter when you should be able to get a better deal on one. Also talk to the installers beforehand about doing something to either raise, move, or otherwise protect the outside unit from damage.
BoomerD
No Lifer
Pay an HVAC company to come out and do a "tune-up."
Have them evaluate the efficiency of the system and explain and compare the costs vs. savings of both options.
The better companies here charge $59 to $99 for the service...and most will check and recharge the system if it needs it.
(recharging may mean a leak somewhere though...added cost IF it's repairable)
Have them evaluate the efficiency of the system and explain and compare the costs vs. savings of both options.
The better companies here charge $59 to $99 for the service...and most will check and recharge the system if it needs it.
(recharging may mean a leak somewhere though...added cost IF it's repairable)
Maybe a better price during off-season but then he's stuck paying the extra $$ that his current unit will use during peak summer months. Here in FL you usually get 10-12 yrs. max out of one and they always seem to croak during a hot august afternoon. As for the lawnmower strikes I just stop a good '1 from mine and use the weed wacker to finish it to avoid damage.
mugs
Lifer
I'm not entirely clear on the math for calculating your savings with a higher SEER, but going from an 8 to anything above 13 should yield substantial savings unless you live in Canada or something. How much are your summer electric bills? We had a new SEER 16 A/C and high efficiency furnace installed last year for ~$5600. If the A/C was half of that, it probably wouldn't take more than a few years for it to pay for itself vs a SEER 8.
If you replace the whole system and its SEER rating is high enough then you can claim up to $1500 back.
http://www.energystar.gov/inde...ucts.pr_tax_credits#c3
Drekce
Golden Member
I just replaced my entire system (original, house was built in 1991, there were no SEER ratings back then) with a 15 SEER heat pump for $5200. After the tax credit it will only be $3700. I live in Central Florida, and am expecting to save about $80/month on my electrical bill for about 6 months out of the year.
My old system was still cooling fine, but I wanted to get it out of there before it decided to die on me, likely in the middle of August.
My old system was still cooling fine, but I wanted to get it out of there before it decided to die on me, likely in the middle of August.
Born2bwire
Diamond Member
The worse part was that it was 79F outside at the time too right? 😉
Sea Moose
Diamond Member
Hey OP
I am a HVAC+R Mechanic.
As someone previously mentioned, you need to determine your short term and long term goals.
If you only plan on living where you are short term, then have somone come out and service your equipment.
When i service somones ducted system, I basically do the following (This is my basic domestic routine for a ducted system)
Wash Filters <-- this is very very important, you should ask the local HVAC guy how to do this, and wash regulary. I try to educate my clients and get them to clean as often as possible because the efficiency of the unit can depend on having clean filters.
Checker damper moters plus air flow
get into ceiling and check duct material and clean the drains out, check drain pans etc.
then outside i check the refrigerant pressures plus other things and wash the outdoor unit.
There really is no such thing as a "tune up". Air cons are a "sealed system" The major thing is to keep your air filter clean and replace once every couple of years. Depending on how often you use the unit. (replace yearly if you use it heaps)
If you decide to replace, you will have to replace both the indoor and outdoor units, as well as the interconnecting pipes. They may be seperated by copper pipe but you need to think of them as one machine.
If you find that you do need to replace than have the unit fitted on wall brackets about 300 to 400mm off the ground. That way you can clean underneith easily.
I would highly highly highly recommend getting a Daikin and having it fitted by the daikin dealer. I have worked on most brands and can give you an unbiased opinion on what to get and what to avoid.
If you get me some pictures of the damage on the outdoor unit, i can try and tell you if the rust is worth worrying about. PLus i can tell you a few basic things you can check to do a kinda self diagnosis. Shame i dont live round the corner, i would have a look at it for you.
I have not had experience with furnace systems (australia is too hot for furnaces, we basically live in one 😛)
Any other questions, let me know
I am a HVAC+R Mechanic.
As someone previously mentioned, you need to determine your short term and long term goals.
If you only plan on living where you are short term, then have somone come out and service your equipment.
When i service somones ducted system, I basically do the following (This is my basic domestic routine for a ducted system)
Wash Filters <-- this is very very important, you should ask the local HVAC guy how to do this, and wash regulary. I try to educate my clients and get them to clean as often as possible because the efficiency of the unit can depend on having clean filters.
Checker damper moters plus air flow
get into ceiling and check duct material and clean the drains out, check drain pans etc.
then outside i check the refrigerant pressures plus other things and wash the outdoor unit.
There really is no such thing as a "tune up". Air cons are a "sealed system" The major thing is to keep your air filter clean and replace once every couple of years. Depending on how often you use the unit. (replace yearly if you use it heaps)
If you decide to replace, you will have to replace both the indoor and outdoor units, as well as the interconnecting pipes. They may be seperated by copper pipe but you need to think of them as one machine.
If you find that you do need to replace than have the unit fitted on wall brackets about 300 to 400mm off the ground. That way you can clean underneith easily.
I would highly highly highly recommend getting a Daikin and having it fitted by the daikin dealer. I have worked on most brands and can give you an unbiased opinion on what to get and what to avoid.
If you get me some pictures of the damage on the outdoor unit, i can try and tell you if the rust is worth worrying about. PLus i can tell you a few basic things you can check to do a kinda self diagnosis. Shame i dont live round the corner, i would have a look at it for you.
I have not had experience with furnace systems (australia is too hot for furnaces, we basically live in one 😛)
Any other questions, let me know
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