Buying a new air conditioner when your old one still works may seem like a pointless indulgence, and it often is. If your unit is less than five years old and it shows no signs of mechanical issues, there is probably no reason to replace it yet.
However, if your unit is older, or if you’ve been looking to lower your electric bill, then replacing your AC before it breaks may be a good idea. Here are some of the advantages of investing in a new AC unit today.
1. Lower your bills
One of the selling points of modern air conditioners is that they are more efficient than the old ones. And depending on how much you use your air conditioner, even a 10% reduction in energy consumption could be enough for your new AC to pay for itself within a decade.
If you are not sure how much power your unit is using, there are a few ways to find out. Information about average power consumption is often found in owner’s manuals, and you may be able to find the results of third-party power consumption tests online. Running your own electrical consumption tests is also not too difficult.
2. Cool down your house faster
If you often find yourself having to wait on your AC unit, the easiest solution is to get a smart thermostat so you can turn the AC on before you get home. However, if that is not an option, then it may be a good idea to invest in a stronger unit.
Having your AC struggle to cool down your home may mean that it was undersized to begin with. The capacity of the AC needs to match the size of the space it needs to cool down.
If the unit is too small or too powerful, it can cause problems. And a unit of the wrong size will often also need more power to run, which impacts your electrical bill.
3. Get more convenience
You don’t need a smart thermostat if you invest in a smart AC unit. It should be no surprise that many modern air conditioners are wi-fi enabled and come with a variety of bells and whistles that can be controlled through an app.
Common modern conveniences include not only being able to control the unit through your phone but also being able to monitor its health and power usage remotely.
4. Deal with less maintenance
The older an AC gets, the more often it’ll need maintenance to function properly. And as this AC repair services Denver CO page shows, there are plenty of HVAC professionals out there that provide round-the-clock service for homeowners in need.
However, repairs are still costly and time-consuming. On top of that, having an AC unit break down can be incredibly frustrating. If you’re tired of dealing with repairs, buying a new unit is usually the best solution.
If you’re considering a replacement for this reason, make sure to choose the new unit carefully. Brand new air conditioners can still break down often if they are poorly manufactured. And while the warranty may cover the repairs, dealing with manufacturers can be a frustrating and time-consuming process.
5. Leverage resale value
One way to fund the purchase of a new air conditioner is to sell your old one. The problem is that the longer you wait, the less your old unit will be worth, and its chances of dying altogether increase. There is a sweet spot where a unit is old enough to replace but not so old that it can’t be sold, and it’s easy to miss that window if you’re not careful.
6. Snatch a good deal
The problem with waiting until you need a new air conditioner to get one is that by that point, you can’t wait. If your old unit is dead or too expensive to run, you’ll need to get a new one in weeks, if not days. Which means you’ll be stuck with whatever prices are available at the time.
If you purchase it earlier, however, it’s much easier to do some careful research and use price monitoring tools to get yourself a good deal. Prices go up and down all the time, after all, and excellent models often go on sale because manufacturers need to get rid of old stock.
You can save a lot of money if you know which unit you want and you are willing to wait a few months to get it. Or if you build a short list of options and keep tabs on their prices.
7. Keep a backup
If your old AC still works and you’re not looking to sell it, you can keep it in storage. Should there be any issues with the new unit, you can just plug in the old one for a while. It’s a great way to make sure your family won’t be caught unprepared in the summer.
Of course, this is not a long-term solution. An old AC in storage will stop working eventually. But manufacturing defects typically present themselves within a few weeks of a new unit being installed, and having your old one around can work as insurance during that period.
