Does Upgrading Your AC Unit Save Money?
A new air conditioning system can be a hefty investment, so most people only think about the up-front cost. Believe it or not, it’s usually more cost effective to purchase a new, energy efficient system rather than continuing to drop money into your old system. These are a few ways you’ll save money by upgrading your AC unit!
Reduced Energy Consumption
The SEER rating of an air conditioner is its seasonal energy efficiency ratio. The higher the SEER, the more efficiently (and less expensively) it cools your home. Modern air conditioners have SEER ratings between 13 and 21 with 21 offering maximum efficiency. Older units may have SEER ratings of 6, 7, 8, 9, or even 10.
Improving from a SEER rating of 10 to 16 offers you the expected reduction of 42 percent of your electricity usage. Now, if you have one of the older models with a SEER rating of 6 and increase to one with a SEER rating of 16, you can save as much as 70 percent on your electricity usage. Over the course of the lifetime of your new system, the energy savings can pay for the cost of the system itself!
Lower Maintenance Costs
It costs more to keep older machines operating efficiently. Parts give out. Machinery wears down. No matter how efficiently your original AC was built, it wasn’t designed to last a lifetime. They do eventually need to be replaced. Newer AC units cost far less to maintain, and if you schedule preventative maintenance from the beginning, you system will maintain its efficiency better and need major repairs less often.
Improved Health
One of the biggest, unforeseen, benefits of upgrading your AC is the improved air filtration it provides. The filtration on modern air conditioners filters out various particles, such as:
- Pollen
- Dust
- Mold
- Mildew
These contaminants are more likely to linger in the air in homes have older, poorly maintained systems, causing allergies, asthma attacks, and upper respiratory infections. Modern systems do a better job keeping particulates out of the air, and if you are especially prone to respiratory problems, an air conditioning upgrade could potentially save you on the cost of fighting off symptoms.
How Can Furnasman Heating and Air Conditioning Help?
Furnasman Heating and Air Conditioning has invested in the comfort of Winnipeg homeowners for more than 80 years. We offer a variety of services for your air conditioning, heating, indoor air quality, and plumbing. Contact us today!
