When you need to upgrade your air conditioning unit, but don’t have the spare cash, financing a new unit is possible — but is it a good idea?
When the high humidity and 97 degrees temperatures in the Florida summer days with a high above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, properly functioning air conditioning is vital each and every day. Heat-related illness is a seriousbusiness that can result in hospitalization or death if you can’t escape the brutal heat. For that reason alone, financing a replacement air conditioner should be seen as an investmentin your future.
Air conditioning financing is common, in areas where AC is more of o than a necessity is a must.
A recent study by the non-profit group NeighborWorks America found that 29 percent of American adults lack any amount of emergency savings, and an additional 21 percent only have enough savings to cover theirbasic expenses for one month.
Can a New Central Air Conditioners Save Money With Lease To Own?
If you’re upgrading from an air conditioner that was manufactured before 2007, The unit probably has a SEER rating of less than 11. Today’s air conditioners are generally rated at 15 SEER or higher, so thepotential savings could actually pay for your new financed system. Upgrading from a 10 SEER to a 15 SEER unit represents an average of 28% savings each month in your energy bill.
Modern AC units also use a much less expensive refrigerant, which has replaced R-22 (also known as Freon) as the industry standard. As your new unit ages, it will be cheaper to repair and recharge than your out-modeled R-22-based air conditioner. Because Freon is being phased out of production, the cost to work on outdated units will increase steadily, making them not only expensive to operate, but also expensive to maintain Being a homeowner comes with hard decisions, investing in a home increases its value, deciding how to do that can be a difficult choice. Should you update your central ac? Replace your ducts? The answer isn’t clear.
When it comes to your HVAC system, the decision-making process gets hard. Unless you’re an ac technician, it can be tough to tell whether a malfunctioning A/C oryou need a new central air. For homeowners, the decision is often is whether to repair or replace. Choosing to replace your old A/C is a new higher efficiency air conditioner so important you choose the correct unit for your home. It’s not a decision if, it’s when. But if your older A/C breaks down on a 100-degree day, you might not have a choice. You’ll have to make a quick decision. Much like an old car, air conditioners. By paying attention to the performance and your Electric bill you can start preparing for the purchase a new unit before you need it.
Here are the top four signs your A/C is nearing the end of its life.
Your Air Conditioner is More Than Ten Years Old
This may sound obvious, but if your A/C is getting older, you should start preparing for the purchase of a new unit. Modern air conditioners can last between 15 years. The health and efficiency of your A/C depend on a number of factors, including whether or not you properly maintained the unit throughout its lifetime. If you skipped changing the air filter and flushing or bleaching the drain line the A/C’s lifespan may be shorter than it was meant to be. The lifespan can also be affected by how often you use the unit, how hot and humid it gets in the area you live in, and whether or not the unit was sized correctly when it was purchased for your home. If you kept your central air conditioner maintained, expect to need a replacement in about 10-15 years. Keep in mind that as your A/C grows older, its mechanical parts can become unavailable or obsolete over time. If you aren’t able to replace a broken part, you will need to purchase a new unit.
Your Air Conditioner Frequently Breaks Down
If you’re experiencing breakdowns during the summer. Many common A/C issues are caused by a lack of maintenance, and getting your unit maintained will prevent them. HVAC technicians are also able to preemptively spot and correct any issues your A/C might be experiencing before the summer season begins.
Central Air Conditioner replacement
With this in mind, it’s a cause for concern if your A/C has multiple breakdowns despite regular maintenance. You might need to start thinking about replacement, Frequent breakdowns also mean frequent repairs, and the cost of those repairs can add up. It might be more economical to purchase a new unit rather than sinking money into expensive repairs—especially if your warranty has expired.
Your Energy Bills Have Skyrocketed
Unless there are any sudden changes in your home’s energy use, your energy bill should stay around the same amount every month, fluctuating a bit depending on the season. If yourenergy use habits have stayed the same but your monthly bill has noticeably increased, it might be time for a new air conditioner.
Your A/C Uses R-22 Freon
R22 Freon is no longer being produced in the U.S. This may not sound like a big deal, but it could affect your home more than you think! If you own an air conditioner that is over ten years old, it probably uses R-22 Freon. R-22 was found to have negative effects on the environment, and the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA) is phasing it out of use.
If your central air uses r22 Freon you can still use your A/C, We recommend you should start preparing for a central air conditioner change out. doesn’t use the R-22 refrigerant.