If you don’t keep up on HVAC industry news–and most homeowners don’t–you’ve likely missed a pretty big update.

As of January 1, 2023, lower SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) AC systems will begin to be phased out in favor of more efficient, and more expensive, air conditioning systems. This update is called the M 1 SEER2 update, and it will result in price increases for installation, and likely to result in further equipment shortages too.

So, how does this answer the question posed in our blog title? When should you replace your air conditioner?

If you’ve already been considering it, then the answer is… now. Of course, if you have a newer air conditioner, then replacing now might not make much sense. But if your air conditioner has any of the following symptoms, it’s time to give us a call!

Age is typically the number one indicator of an air conditioner that’s probably ready for replacement. But what makes an air conditioner “old”?

The typical useful lifespan of a well-maintained and properly installed coloring or heating system is about 10-15 years. Beyond this point, your HVAC system is going to start to struggle to keep up. Efficiency levels will drop, no matter how high the original SEER was of the system, and you’ll need repairs more often, which we’ll touch on below.

If your system is over a decade old or nearing that age, then now is definitely a good time to consider replacement and get ahead of the price increases that are going to happen in just a few months.

If your system is on the newer side, and well-maintained and having this problem, then it could be a manufacturer defect, and you should check the warranty to see if it’s current. If it is, we can help you check how you can get repairs or a replacement via the manufacturer.

If, however, your system is 10-15 years old, like we mentioned above it’s nearing the end of its useful service life anyway. It’s pretty standard for a new air conditioner to need a repair every couple of years. After all, just like any other important piece of equipment, your AC suffers from natural wear and tear.

But if your system needs repairs a couple of times a year, and it’s an aging system, then it’s more than likely that you should replace it.

Let’s face it, some repairs are going to be more costly than others. But if you are keeping up on scheduling professional maintenance each year, then you can keep those repair costs down. In fact, it’s estimated that maintenance can help you avoid up to 85% of your repair costs.

If, however, your next repair or set of repairs is going to cost you close to half of what your system is worth, it makes more financial sense to replace, in almost all cases.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today for professional air conditioning services and more.