So, do old AC units use more electricity? In most cases, yes. As air conditioners age, their efficiency tends to drop, requiring more energy to maintain your home's indoor climate. Although most will keep your home's interior comfortable, they need more energy to keep up with your cooling demands than a newer model.
Your old air conditioner actually costs more to run, because it has a lower SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). How much more? It can cost you 50 percent more and higher.
How old is your air conditioner? Newer models are designed using Energy Star requirements, so they use less power. Older models aren't, so they might use up more electricity in order to run. Plus, these older models are more prone to damage, leaks, and coolant issues, making them more costly to run overall.
Newer AC systems tend to be more energy efficient than older models, which translates to lower energy bills and reduced environmental impact. As of 2023, air conditioners are required to have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating of at least 14 in the northern states, and 15 in the southern states.
Air conditioners have definitely come a long way in the last 10-20 years. They're more efficient and can save you money on your energy bill, so if your current air conditioner is over 10 years old it's definitely worth considering an upgrade.
On average, you can only expect about 15 years of reliable service from a central AC system. And that's only if you maintain your system well. So, if your home has an AC that's 20 years old or older, it's likely living on borrowed time. Here are all the reasons to replace your home's 20-year-old air conditioner.
So, do old AC units use more electricity? In most cases, yes. As air conditioners age, their efficiency tends to drop, requiring more energy to maintain your home's indoor climate. Although most will keep your home's interior comfortable, they need more energy to keep up with your cooling demands than a newer model.
While running your air conditioner will cool your home, it consumes a lot of energy, leading to higher electricity bills. Yet not using the air conditioner isn't practical.
It's important to be aware of how long air conditioners last, so you don't get the unwelcome surprise of a broken air conditioner in the peak of the summer heat. In general, air conditioners that are properly maintained can last 15 to 20 years.
How much will a new AC unit save me? How much you can save with a new AC unit will depend on your old unit, the replacement model, how much you use your air conditioning, and the cost of electricity where you live. Estimates vary from 10% to 50% savings on your air conditioning costs per year.
So, is it better to leave your AC on all day? Well, it depends. After all, turning the AC on and off costs more initially. However, leaving your AC on all day consumes more energy and adds wear and tear to your system, which may cost you more money for repairs in the long run.
14 to 20 years old: This is the average life span of well-maintained HVAC equipment. A breakdown at this age may warrant a replacement.
Repair: Older AC units typically have lower energy efficiency ratings (SEER), which means higher electricity costs. For instance, a 20-year-old unit may have a 10- or lower SEER. Replacement: New AC units are significantly more energy-efficient, with SEER ratings ranging from 14 to 25.
The benefits of upgrading your central AC.
The first thing any upgrade will do is lower your energy usage. A 20-year-old air conditioning system might use 6 kWh of electricity to cool an average-sized house. A modern AC system could cool that same house using as little as 1.71 kWh of electricity.
When your ducts are blocked or dirty, you get less airflow through vents. This means it takes longer to cool your house, which runs the AC longer, using more overall energy. You're also more likely to walk over to the thermostat and set it a few degrees lower to get the airflow you need to be comfortable.
Today, the bare minimum is 9.7 for single-package AC systems and 10 for mini-split air conditioning systems. The AC SEER rating of a 20-year old air conditioner is therefore likely to be quite low, meaning it struggles to cool your home in an efficient manner and will use more energy than a newer model.
The refrigerant that new AC units use works better and are less likely to damage our atmosphere. On top of this major change, modern AC units are generally built to be more energy efficient than their older counterparts. This saves you money on energy bills and keeps CO2 out of the air.