A new air conditioner isn’t just a costly equipment purchase, it’s an investment in home comfort you’ll live with for the next 15 to 20 years. To help you choose wisely, it’s crucial to understand both first time and lifetime A/C replacement costs.
First Time Cost
First time cost is essentially an air conditioner’s sticker price, minus any discounts and equipment rebates. An A/C’s upfront cost is directly tied to its seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating. The higher the SEER rating, the bigger the price tag.
Lifetime Costs
Buying the least expensive air conditioner available doesn’t mean you’re getting the best deal. An A/C’s operation-related costs over its expected service life, or lifetime costs, are equally important. A number of factors impact these costs, including equipment quality, durability, energy savings, maintenance and even installation.
Key Factors to Consider When Determining A/C Replacement Costs
When shopping for cooling equipment that fits within your budget, be sure to consider these factors to accurately calculate lifetime costs:
- Quality – More expensive air conditioners are typically built to higher quality standards, and they often include components not found in more basic models. One example is a two-speed compressor that lowers energy consumption and extends equipment life span by reducing on-off cycling.
- Durability – It’s logical that pricier, high-quality equipment is built more durably. You may not notice that enhanced durability when you’re comparing price tags, but it can mean fewer repair costs over the life of the unit.
- Energy savings – A/Cs with higher SEER ratings employ advanced technologies to boost efficiency. The energy savings provided by features like better coil designs and variable speed air handlers can help offset their higher first time costs.
- Maintenance – Air conditioners built with high-quality, durable parts are less vulnerable to strain and wear during normal operation. This translates into lower maintenance costs over the long term.
- Installation – Regardless of sticker price, quality installation by a knowledgeable HVAC contractor plays a critical role in cooling system performance, longevity and energy consumption.
For expert help in determining A/C replacement costs for your Lorain home, contact the pros at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about A/C replacement costs and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area