The intensely hot summers in Tucson, AZ and the surrounding area mean you need an effective and energy-efficient air conditioner. An air conditioner’s life span is about 12 years, and after this duration, your cooling system will likely experience a drop in efficiency. You may also notice an increase in malfunctions and breakdowns, which disrupts your comfort. Investing in a new air conditioner is a considerable expense, so it’s important to know the best time for an air conditioner installation. Let’s take a look at when is the best time to install an air conditioner so that you can avoid any interruptions to your comfort and unnecessary expenses.
Plan an Autumn Air Conditioner Purchase
The best time of the year to get a great deal on a new air conditioner is autumn. Few people are thinking about air conditioner installations, and installation teams don’t have as many work orders. You’ll have a wide range of options for installation dates and times. Many air conditioner manufacturers discount their products in autumn in order to make room for new models. By choosing an autumn date for the installation of your new cooling system, you could save on the labor costs as well as the price of the system.
Consider a Wintertime Air Conditioner Installation
Another good time for an air conditioner installation is the winter season. During the wintertime in Tucson, there are plenty of mild days when customers don’t need as many heating repairs. This means crews may be free to perform air conditioner installations. If you’re flexible about scheduling, you could arrange for one of those days. Manufacturers may have discounted the previous year’s models of air conditioning systems, so you could also get a good deal on the air conditioner and air handler. By installing your new air conditioner in the autumn or winter, you’re avoiding the peak demand times. We have plenty of air conditioners in stock during the autumn and winter seasons, so you won’t have to wait for equipment to be delivered to us from the manufacturer.
Evaluate Your Air Conditioner’s Capacity
Evaluate your comfort level with your current air conditioner. If you’ve recently made an addition to your home or finished a space that you didn’t previously use as a living area, your air conditioner might not have enough capacity to cool all of the space in your home. Insufficient cooling system capacity will cause the air conditioner to cycle more frequently, which will lead to extra wear and tear and a shorter system life span. Our technicians can calculate your home’s cooling requirements and help you select a new air conditioner with the right cooling capacity for your home’s livable square footage.
Decide on a Repair Versus a Replacement
If your air conditioner hasn’t reached its full life expectancy but it needs a major repair, you’ll need to decide on a repair versus a replacement. A rule of thumb is to replace the system if it is 10 years old or more and needs a repair that costs one-third the price of a new system. For example, if your 10-year-old air conditioner’s compressor fails, you’re better off purchasing a new cooling system. As air conditioners approach their life expectancy, they will need more frequent and pricey repairs. You might have a refrigerant leak one month and a motor blowout the next month. Replacing a worn-out air conditioner with a new, energy-efficient system helps you avoid unexpected repair costs. You’ll also benefit from the lower operating costs of a new cooling system.
Analyze Your Electricity Bills
If your home has a smart meter, you can track energy use by the minute. Take note of when your air conditioner turns on and how frequently it cycles. Pair this information with your utility bills. If you notice that your power use spikes every time the air conditioner turns on, it might be time to invest in a new cooling system. Aging air conditioners often draw excessive amounts of voltage. This happens when contactors and capacitors start to fail. A refrigerant leak or failing blower can also lead to excessive energy use. Choosing an ENERGY STAR-certified air conditioner could decrease your home’s cooling costs by 15% or more, which could amount to hundreds of dollars per year.
Think About How You Use Your Home
If there are rooms in your home that you rarely use, your current air conditioner might not be serving your needs. A new air conditioner with zoned climate control could be the answer to your comfort concerns. Zoned air conditioning systems allow you to set up four zones within your home. Each zone has a thermostat that can be set independently from the others. For example, your primary bedroom suite could be a zone, the secondary bedrooms could be another zone, the family room could be a zone, and the kitchen and dining room could be the final zone. Dampers control airflow from the air conditioner to each zone. You don’t have to cool the zones you’re not using, which could decrease your electricity bills.
Plan to Upgrade Your Thermostat
Along with your new air conditioner, consider upgrading your thermostat. Most new air conditioners require the use of a smart thermostat, so you may have to upgrade the unit in order to use the air conditioner. Smart thermostats include an app for making temperature and humidity adjustments with your smartphone. The thermostat connects to your home’s Wi-Fi, so you can raise or lower the temperature or humidity from anywhere. Many smart thermostats also offer geofencing features. The geofencing allows the thermostat to track your phone’s location and direction of movement. When you’re driving home, it uses this information to update the timing of cooling cycles. This allows the system to reach your desired temperature by the time you enter your house. When you’re away from home for several hours, the thermostat automatically increases the temperature in order to decrease energy use. By pairing a smart thermostat with your new air conditioner, you’ll save money without sacrificing your comfort.
Determine Availability of Tax Incentives and Rebates
Look into whether or not you could benefit from available tax incentives or rebates for installing a new air conditioner. Many of these programs have a limited duration and have deadlines for applications. These incentive programs typically require that you purchase an air conditioner with a minimum seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of 15 or higher as these units have higher energy efficiency and lower energy requirements. Some utility providers also offer incentives for customers who install a new air conditioner. These programs could defray some of the cost of your new cooling system. We can provide you with the documentation and paperwork for your purchase.
Not in need of a new air conditioner today? We also offer heating installation and heating and air conditioning maintenance and repair in Tucson. Our plumbing, indoor air quality, duct cleaning and repair, and energy audits promote comfort, convenience, and energy savings. We also install, repair, and maintain mini-split heating and cooling systems for zoned climate control. To learn more about the best time for a new air conditioner installation or to schedule an appointment with our qualified service technicians in Tucson or a surrounding area, contact Rite Way Heating, Cooling & Plumbing today.
