Breathe Easy & Make Sure Your Utility Bills Are Comfortable Too
Your older air conditioner is ailing and your employees have been finding themselves less than comfortable lately. You may find yourself wondering whether you should make the call to your local JD Heating & Cooling for repairs, or if it's time to start considering an upgrade. It’s not just your employees who need comfort—your utility bills should be comfortable too.
How Will I Know When It's Time For Commercial Air Conditioner Replacement?
Here are a few factors to consider:
- Age – The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ENERGY STAR Program recommends commercial air conditioner replacement when your system is more than 10 years old.
- Frequent breakdowns / the 50% rule – If you are constantly repairing your AC, or repair costs are adding up to more than half the value of your system, a professional JD Heating & Cooling technician can help you determine if commercial air conditioner replacement makes the best financial sense.
- Comfort issues – Poorly operating air conditioners result in uneven temperatures throughout your business in addition to humidity problems, which can lead to mold, mildew growth, and air quality issues.
- Noise – Systems that are ailing and unable to keep up with cooling demands tend to make excessive noise or turn off randomly. If this describes the system at your business, commercial air conditioner replacement may be in order.
Our licensed AC experts can help you determine if it’s time for an upgrade or simple repairs.
What Are the Benefits of Replacing My Commercial AC?
There are many benefits to upgrading to a newer, energy efficient air conditioner:
- Lower energy bills – Depending on the age of your current system and its Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio or “SEER” rating, upgrading to a newer system could save you 20% to 40% on cooling costs. While older systems typically have a SEER rating of 6 or less, today's systems have a minimum SEER rating of 13.
- Improved comfort – Newer systems do a better job of controlling temperature and humidity, improving air quality.
- Environmentally friendly – Less energy consumption reduces your carbon footprint, and newer systems utilize R-410A, a more environmentally friendly refrigerant.
Other Factors to Consider When Replacing a Commercial AC United
Other factors that may influence your decision on commercial air conditioner replacement:
- Warranty – Newer units come with a warranty, which can help you save if repairs become necessary.
- R-22 refrigerant phase out – Consider the phase out and resulting high cost of R-22 refrigerant. The United States government and EPA have mandated the phase-out of R-22 refrigerant by 2020 in order to protect the ozone. Because R-22 supplies are further limited each year, the cost of R-22 needed to refill the refrigerant on your older system will continue to rise every year.
- Geographic location – If your business is located in a colder climate, it may not make as much financial sense to replace your old system as a business located in a warm climate.
- Your existing system – If you choose a different type of system than the one you are currently using, there may be additional costs associated with commercial air conditioner replacement.
- Rebates and tax incentives – In addition to monthly energy savings that add up over the lifetime of your new commercial air conditioner replacement, tax credits and incentives are available to help you save up to 30% of the cost of newer, high-efficiency systems. In addition, your local utility company may offer rebates and incentives as well.
What Type of Air Conditioner System Do You Have?
It’s important to know what type of existing system you have:
- Split system – This is the most common air conditioner system utilizing ductwork and consisting of an indoor condensing unit, and an outdoor evaporator system.
- Packaged system – These use ductwork to distribute air like a split system, however both the condensing and evaporator system are "packaged" or housed outside within a single unit.
- Ductless mini-splits – These systems do not utilize ducts, but instead use an indoor unit mounted to the wall and an outdoor component that sits next to your business.
- Portable air conditioner – Smaller window and wall units are designed to cool a single room or area of your business.
- Evaporative coolers – Also known as “swamp coolers,” these systems are used in dry climates and remove heat, using evaporation. They are typically located on the roof and resemble split systems.