When to Invest in a New Air Conditioner in Lake Placid, FL

Deciding whether to repair or replace your air conditioner can prove a challenging task. If you live in Lake Placid, FL, we’ll help you determine the point at which you need to purchase a new AC system. Here are four factors you should consider to ensure you’ll get maximum efficiency when you invest in a new air conditioner:

Examine the Air Conditioner’s Efficiency

Old central air conditioning systems use a lot of power, which keeps increasing your electricity bills. That’s because most systems over 10 years old function below 10 Season Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), representing the energy required to produce a specific cooling effect. The federal law requires a minimum of 13 SEER, which translates to a 30% reduction in energy consumption.

Assess the Condition of the Ductwork

Upgrading to a high-efficiency system doesn’t guarantee the desired cooling effect. It would help if you had your senior service technician check duct leakage. If they realize the duct is inefficient but finds it hard to seal the gaps, you should replace the entire ductwork.

Examine the Building Envelop

A poorly insulated house puts a strain on an aging air conditioner. After resolving the house flaws, you may choose to let the old system operate for a few more years. However, with proper insulation, a smaller system may be enough and can lower your energy costs. As a result, it can save you some money each month.

Ensure the Air Conditioner is the Right Size

When you buy a new system, ensure your contractor shows you a load calculation. That will help you understand the size of the system you require and why. Oversized systems cost a lot more money, and their ability to perform their cooling work too quickly may lead to irregular wearing out and high power consumption. Therefore, getting the right size will save you from replacing your system in the next few years.

Contact Miller’s Central Air, Inc. today for a new air conditioner installation and to learn more about your options and our services. We can answer any questions you have about a problem you’re having keeping your home cool and provide possible solutions.

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