If your AC is on the fritz, you might be wondering whether you should repair or replace it. Repair seems more straightforward but there is another question you need to consider: How much will I save by replacing my AC unit? Read on to learn more about the savings a new HVAC unit can bring.
Contact Southwest Heating & Cooling today to schedule professional HVAC repair in Littleton.
Will a New AC Unit Save Me Money?
According to our research, the average Colorado home spends about $132 per month on cooling costs — significantly below the national average. To determine HVAC unit savings, you need a way to estimate your current AC usage and how much a new unit would use.
You can take a look at your previous year’s heating bills and calculate an average or you can estimate your annual bills by determining the average energy usage of your system and multiplying it by your electricity company’s rate.
One way to estimate energy usage is to base it on the SEER rating of your unit. A higher SEER rating usually means a more energy-efficient system. If your home was built after 2013, your HVAC SEER is a minimum of 13. Once you know the SEER of your unit and the cost to run it, you can estimate the cost to run a new unit based on its SEER. As a general rule of thumb, you can calculate an average of 7% savings per SEER rating unit.
So for example, all other things being equal, a unit with a 14 SEER rating will cost about 7% less to run than a unit with a 13 SEER rating. How much you will save by replacing your AC unit will depend on your home’s layout, home insulation, and AC usage.
Two-Stage AC Unit and Energy Savings
You can also save money by switching from a single-stage AC unit to a double-stage AC unit. Single-stage AC units have one power level and are always working at 100%. Double-stage units, on the other hand, have low and high-energy settings you can switch between. For modern HVAC units, low-energy settings can use up to 40% less electricity than single-stage air conditioners.
Additionally, two-stage units have longer cooling cycles than single-stage units which means you spend less energy turning the unit on and off. Another way of thinking is that an AC that kicks on for 30 minutes per hour is more efficient than one that turns on every ten minutes per half hour. That means that a two-stage air conditioner will have a longer lifespan in the long run.
Variable-Stage Units
In addition to double-stage units, there are also variable-stage units. These units have many different power settings they cycle through continuously depending on cooling needs. Variable-stage AC units can provide even more savings, but they tend to be among the more expensive kinds of models to buy and install. If the choice is between a double-stage and variable-stage unit, double-stage units will probably give adequate performance at a better price point.
Benefits of Replacing Your AC Unit
Aside from the energy savings, replacing your AC unit carries several benefits.
Better Performance
If your air conditioner is more than ten years old, odds are its performance has started to suffer and it’s not as efficient as it used to be. Old air conditioners may suffer from a lack of cold air or uneven cooling. A new air conditioner will give you much better performance, making your home more comfortable.
Improved Air Quality
Old air conditioners can also negatively affect your indoor air quality. Poor air quality can contribute to allergies and respiratory irritation. If you notice that your home has larger amounts of dust around than normal, you should consider replacing your AC unit.
Fewer Repairs
Perhaps most importantly, a new air conditioner will require fewer repairs and will experience fewer breakdowns than an older unit. If the cost of repairing your air conditioner is at least 50% of the cost of replacing your system, we recommend you choose to replace your AC.
HVAC Replacement in Littleton, CO
A new AC unit can make your home more comfortable and improve indoor air quality. If you have any more questions like, “How much will I save by replacing my AC unit?” or would like to discuss an energy-efficient air conditioner, contact Southwest Heating and Cooling online or call today at (720) 613-9133 to schedule an appointment!