Does the sight of the electric bill in the mailbox send a chill down your spine? Do you find yourself debating whether it’s really hot enough to turn on the air conditioner? If so, you could have an efficiency issue, and investing in a new AC unit could help you stay cool and save money.
When SM Mechanical Services, LLC, technicians recommend replacement air conditioners to our customers, their first question is often, “How much will a new AC unit save me?” The answer depends on a variety of factors, but as the source for the ultimate HVAC services in Glastonbury, CT, we’re happy to share some points to consider when deciding whether to upgrade.
Is it Time to Get a New Air Conditioner for My Glastonbury Home?
If you have an older air conditioner, meaning ten years or older, then investing in a modern AC will definitely save money. Replacing a poorly performing air conditioner with a new, energy-efficient one can slash your monthly utility bill, but how do you know it’s time for an upgrade?
A few signs to watch for include:
- Steadily increasing electric bills
- Frequent repairs
- Inadequate cooling
- Excessive noise
- Excessive humidity
- A low seasonal energy efficiency rating (SEER)
Ultimately, an old, inefficient air conditioner will cost you more to run than a new one.
Understanding SEER and How It Relates to Costs
When shopping for a new air conditioner for your Glastonbury home, one way to answer, “How much will a new AC unit save me?” is to look at each unit’s SEER, which is a numerical indication of how efficiently the unit will cool your home. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the unit.
This is one reason older units are not nearly as efficient as new ones. The U.S. Department of Energy establishes the minimum SEER ratings for HVAC equipment and continually updates them. Up until 2013, the minimum SEER was 13; in 2014, the minimum increased to 14. If you purchased an air conditioner any time between 2006 and 2014, it’s automatically less efficient than a newer one, even without accounting for wear and tear.
The U.S. Department of Energy introduced SEER2 ratings as the standard in 2023; the new ratings use a different procedure to determine the unit’s efficiency. Efficiency is measured by dividing the heat the unit removes, measured in BTUs, by the total amount of energy it requires to do so in the typical cooling season.
Keep in mind that a SEER of 14 is only the minimum for Glastonbury, which is in the North region. Advanced units can have efficiency ratings of up to 20 or higher.
Therefore, the question of how much a new air conditioner saves depends on how much it costs to run your current air conditioner and the savings that a higher SEER2 can provide.
Calculating Your Savings
Determining how a new air conditioner will save money starts by figuring out how much your current unit costs to run. One way to do this is by looking at your utility bills and comparing the costs during the summer to the months when you’re not running the air conditioning. This can provide a rough estimate of how much you’re spending each month.
Every point increase in SEER represents a 7% increase in efficiency. Upgrading from an older 12 SEER air conditioner to a new 15 SEER unit, for example, will cut the operational costs by about 20%. If your current air conditioner has an even lower SEER, or is in poor condition due to wear and tear, the savings can be even more substantial.
Efficiency ratings are a useful tool for figuring out a ballpark answer to “How much will a new AC unit save me?” but it’s not an exact science. In fact, HVAC technicians are typically reluctant to provide exact numbers because there are so many factors that go into determining the overall cost to run an air conditioner. You may spend more or less to cool your home due to:
- Changes in Glastonbury utility rates
- Usage pattern changes (for example, working from home vs. returning to the office)
- Inflation
- Weather conditions
These factors vary among customers, so an exact calculation is impossible.
Consider Savings Over the Life of the Unit
If you have an older air conditioner with a low SEER, there’s no doubt you’ll spend less to run a new AC unit. However, you should consider the potential savings over the life of the unit, not just each individual year. Considering that the typical modern AC lasts about 15 years, you should multiply your estimated cost savings by 15 to get an estimate of how much money you can save over the life of the unit.
This calculation is especially useful when trying to determine whether to invest in a unit that only offers a slight SEER increase or to replace an air conditioner that’s less than ten years old or still working reliably. The closer you can get to achieving enough savings to cover the cost of the upgrade, the more financial sense it makes to get a new air conditioner now. If you will only save a minimal amount of money compared to the cost of the upgrade, you may be better off waiting.
Talk to SM Mechanical Services, LLC in Glastonbury About How a New Air Conditioner Will Affect Your Budget
Figuring out a realistic and accurate answer to “How much will a new AC unit save me?” can be complex, but the professionals from SM Mechanical Services, LLC can help. Let us show you different options and how they can keep your home more comfortable without driving up the utility bills. We’re happy to provide a detailed estimate for the AC installation cost, too, so you know exactly how much you’ll spend for an energy-efficient and cost-effective modern AC.
To learn more about calculating energy savings and options for air conditioner replacement, call SM Mechanical Services in Glastonbury, CT, at (860) 530-2792.