AC lifespan

How long is an Air Conditioning unit actually supposed to work?

Well, cars...run for about 10 years without major problems, and so too do air conditioners. If your air system is well maintained, that lifespan can stretch to 15 years. Newer systems (those installed after 2006) should last around 15 years, maybe more with proper care and maintenance.

Why should you upgrade your unit if it is more than 10 years old?

1. There are MUCH more efficient systems on the market today! What does that mean? That if you upgrade, you will be (1)more comfortable (2) saving money on energy bills and (3) making less of a negative impact on your environment. For example, furnace (heating) units manufactured today have up to 95.5% efficiency. That means that there is only about 5% of the energy escaping as exhaust. Compared to a 60, or even 80 AFUE that is 5% waste compared to 40 or even 20% waste. That's a BIG difference! With air conditioning, it's measured in SEER - the current standard (set by the government is 13) but units are available up to 21. SEER is a little harder to understand, but the easiest ballpark way to understand it is to give each number over a SEER of 10, 10% more efficiency. So if you currently have a SEER 8 a 13 SEER would save you about 38$ off of every $100 you would previously been spending on cooling costs. That's bringing your theoretic bill down from 100$ to $60. I could think of somethings to spend that $40 on...
2. Repairs are costly! Like a car, at some point it becomes more expensive to repair the car than it does to replace the system. Especially if you already have ductwork, the change-out/upgrade process can take one afternoon. If your unit is constatnly breaking down or needing odds and ends replaced, you should really consider getting a new unit.
3. There are add-ons available with newer units. Not only are they more efficient, but they also take into consideration things like air quality and humidity control that older units don't. Humidity is what makes us feel "hot" and if your unit isn't doing a very good job of extracting humidity - you are still going to feel warm, and you are going to crank up your ac, run it for longer and spend more money in the long run. Also, if you have young children, or someone with a respiratory illness, improving the air quality in your home may make a DRASTIC difference in their comfort and medication needs.
4. TAX CREDITS & REBATES! Much of the stimulus package just passed has stipulations for increased energy efficiency. That means that if you upgrade your air system, there are a couple different places you can get money from! You can get a $1,500 tax credit for next year, Edison and the Gas company may also kick in some rebate money (depending on the SEER, small print etc. etc.) And your local city may also sponsor some upgrades that tie in with home values.
5. On that line of thinking, up to 92% of potential homebuyers are looking to buy a home with an upgraded, efficient air system. If your home has a quality system, that's one more point in your favor - and in this market, every little bit helps. It also helps to retain the value of your home if you plan on living in it for years to come.

These are just a few of the reasons...but I think saving money in energy costs is HUGE. Bringing your monthly bill downwards sounds like a great idea to me! If you are unsure of whether or not it will be worth it in your own situation, we can calculate a cost/benefit analysis for you showing how many years it will take to pay for your new unit in energy savings.