Blog

Is Your Air Conditioner Due for a Replacement?

Spring is the right time to arrange for new, energy-efficient HVAC equipment.

central air company Rockaway, NJ You could be forgiven for not thinking about your home’s air conditioning during the winter. It probably hasn’t clicked on in many weeks.

But now that spring is upon us in New Jersey, it’s worth thinking back to how your A/C equipment was fairing last summer. Did it struggle on the hottest days? Did you notice warm air from your vents or leaking liquid? What about grinding or clanging noises from your equipment?

If so, now is the best time to contact Dixon Energy’s expert technicians for A/C service. We’ll see if you need a cooling system repair or if it might be time for an A/C replacement. In the early spring, we’ll have plenty of time to secure equipment for you and get it installed before temperatures really start to rise.

What’s the lifespan of air conditioning equipment?

Different cooling systems have different lifespans. Generally speaking, central A/C systems last between 10 and 20 years. Ductless mini-split equipment lasts between 15 to 20 years.

When is it best to replace your A/C equipment?

Deciding between repairing and replacing your home’s cooling equipment can be frustrating, especially because new A/C systems are significant investments. Here’s a cheat sheet to help you weigh crucial factors in making a decision:

Factor to consider Repair if… Replace if…
System age It’s less than 10 years old since the warranty is still in place and may cover much of the cost. It’s over 10 years old, especially if it uses outdated and expensive R-22 refrigerant. 
Efficiency rating It’s 14-SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) or higher, which is the new federal minimum rating. It’s lower than 13-SEER. Lower efficiency systems are more expensive to run and don’t keep you as reliably comfortable.
Cost of repairs The necessary repairs are less than 50 percent of the price of new equipment. The necessary repairs are more than 50 percent of the price of new equipment.

These are pretty good metrics for determining if you should repair or replace your home’s A/C system. However, we know that some borderline circumstances are harder to assess. You can always contact the team at Dixon Energy to look at your equipment and make recommendations.

Let Dixon Energy help upgrade your air conditioning this spring

In Elizabeth, Morristown, Rockaway and other communities in northern New Jersey, Dixon Energy is the most trusted team for A/C installations.

Whether you are interested in an industry-leading central air system from Amana or curious about an efficient heating and cooling solution with a Fujitsu ductless mini-split, we have you covered. Don’t let installation and equipment costs stop you from taking advantage of the energy (and expense) saving technologies of today’s state-of-the-art cooling equipment. We can help you get competitive financing through the National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF).

Your journey to a more comfortable home this summer begins by contacting Dixon Energy. We’re ready to help you right away!