Air conditioning is a necessity for hot summers in Austin, if your current cooling system isn’t do that great of a job of keeping your home cool and comfortable it may be time for AC replacement or upgrading to a completely new system. Here are a few things to think about when considering an upgrade and some reasons why it is a good investment.
Reasons to Upgrade
A central air conditioning system is meant to last for about 20 years, after that things can start to degrade making it necessary for frequent repairs and eventually, replacement. Although your current system may be in good working order, it may not be operating as efficiently as it should which may be why your utility bills are higher than they have been in the past.
Higher energy usage is a sign that your system is not operating at its full potential. If your system is not that old but you are wondering about upgrading, contact your AC contractor in Austin and have them evaluate your system and make a recommendation for upgrading.
Get the Right Size

One aspect of choosing a new central air conditioner is making sure to get the right size to efficiently cool your home. If you are upgrading from a room air conditioner it will also depend on how much available space you have for ductwork. Your AC repair contractor in Austin can advise you on the size requirements for the size of your home and even install it for you.

If you have not purchased new appliances in recent years you may not be aware of the new rating system as it applies to energy-efficiency. Energy Star appliances, including heating and cooling systems, are rated with the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) system which gives a more accurate description of its efficiency. Older systems may have had a rating of 6, but the new minimum rating for any appliance is 13 so you can see you will have a more efficient system with higher ratings.
Additional Options:
• Variable-Speed Air Handler
• Fan-Only switch
• Operates quietly
• Filter-Check Light
Newer energy-efficient models have built-in features that make it even more efficient such as a Fan-Only switch that can be used on cooler instead of running the AC and a variable speed handler that adjusts its speed to handle the home’s cooling load instead of operating at full speed continuously when it may not be necessary. Some even have an indicator light that reminds you to check the air filter.
Upgrading to a new central air conditioner is well worth the cost because the new system will work more efficiently and save you more money on utility expenses. Newer heating and cooling systems use 30 to 50% less energy than models constructed before the 1970s. Even if your old system is only 10 years old, you’ll still get a considerable savings by upgrading to a new system.