How a New AC Can Save You Money

Air conditioners, by design, can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years. If your current AC has passed its 10th birthday, you may be wondering whether you should replace your AC now or wait until it finally bites the dust.

Our recommendation? It’s better to replace your old AC sooner rather than later for the following reasons:

1. A new AC has a lower risk of expensive repairs
2. A new AC can reduce your monthly energy bills
3. A new AC may come with special rebates/promotions

We’ll explore each of these reasons in more detail below.

Interested in a new air conditioner? Our replacement specialists can help you find the right system for your home and budget. Call us at (248) 644-7810 or schedule an appointment online for a complimentary estimate.

The older your AC is, the more likely it will need expensive repairs. Like we mentioned above, air conditioners are really only made to last 15 years, max. After that, components start to wear out, and the frequency of repairs increases significantly.

Sure, you can keep an ancient system alive by repairing it each time it breaks down. But each repair adds up, and you could put all of that repair money towards a brand new system instead. Since brand new air conditioners have pristine parts, it’s unlikely they will require major repairs for years (as long as the AC is properly maintained, of course).

In the rare event that your new AC needs a significant repair before its 10th birthday, your parts warranty may cover the repair. A parts warranty typically lasts anywhere from 5 to 10 years, beginning at your installation date. If the warranty covers the repair, you will not have to pay much—or anything at all—to fix the problem or replace the faulty part.

Compared to your old AC, a new system will likely be much more efficient, which means it will use less energy to provide the same amount of cooling. As a result, a new system will lower your monthly energy bills.

New air conditioners are more efficient because they use state-of-the-art technology, such as inverter-driven compressors and variable-speed motors. These advanced components lower the system’s energy consumption.

As you shop for a new system, you will likely come across the acronym “SEER,” which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. An air conditioner’s SEER rating will tell you how efficient the unit is: The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the unit.

Learn more about SEER by reading our article, “What SEER Rating Should I Buy for My Michigan Home?”

A certified AC professional can help you compare the potential long-term energy savings of different SEER ratings. You can also use this handy calculator to get a rough estimate of how much a new AC will reduce your long-term energy costs.

Another reason to replace your old AC soon is to take advantage of limited-time promotions or rebates. These promotions and/or rebates can significantly reduce the upfront cost of your installation. If you wait to replace your AC, they may expire, so it is better to act now.

For example, customers of DTE Energy can currently receive a $500 rebate for replacing an old AC with a high-efficiency (18+ SEER) system. Additionally, if you replace your old AC before the end of 2021, you may qualify for the EnergyStar equipment tax credit.

As well as rebates and tax credits, you’ll also want to investigate seasonal promotions or special offers from HVAC companies. Taking advantage of these promotions could significantly reduce the overall cost of your AC replacement.

Every year, Thornton & Grooms offers a limited-time promotion, “Cash for Clunkers,” where we pay you for your old equipment. You can get up to $1,500 for your old AC. We’re also offering a cash incentive for furnaces or replacing both systems.

Just want a new AC system? Schedule a free, in-home estimate with our team. You’ll have peace of mind that we back up our work with 14 real guarantees that you won’t find anywhere else.