Hey everyone! I'm curious about the efficiency of central air conditioning units as they age. My AC is about 18 years old, and with the rising electricity costs in NJ, I'm wondering if it's still working as efficiently as it should. It's been running fine, and I have a service contract with PSEG, but I've been thinking about whether I should replace it now or wait until it's completely dead. Any insights on how much efficiency I might be losing with an older unit?
1 Answer
All machines tend to perform worse as they age, and that includes HVAC systems. An 18-year-old unit likely has a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating of around 10-12, whereas new systems can boast SEER ratings as high as 20-22. This means that upgrading can save you almost half the energy usage, even if your old unit still runs.
I replaced an old system with a 16 SEER model back in 2017, and I didn't really notice a difference in my electric bill. I think the issue is more about the house's insulation than the AC itself. I'd recommend checking your attic insulation.