Finding an A/C replacement that can handle the hot McKinney and Frisco area summers affordably takes a little research. There’s more to it than comparing purchase and installation prices, though. You’ll also need to consider how much the system will cost you over its lifetime.
Assessing Lifetime Costs of an A/C Replacement
The lifetime costs of an air conditioner include every cost the system will incur over the course of its life, including initial cost and installation, yearly maintenance, component replacement and electricity used. As with many appliances, a higher-quality product may cost more to buy upfront but cost less to operate and maintain. That means over a 10-year period, a higher-quality system could cost less overall. There are several factors that influence this.
- Unplanned maintenance calls – Higher-quality systems typically contain components that operate in ways that minimize wear. A variable-speed motor can maintain a comfortably cool, stable temperature in your home while running at low speeds most of the time. These low speeds place less stress on the motor, so it’s less likely to break down. A variable-speed compressor starts up gently and cycles on and off less often, so it’s also less susceptible to breakdowns.
- Component failures – Motors and compressors that aren’t designed to handle our area’s cooling demands can succumb to strain and burn out entirely. For example, poorly designed copper evaporator coils are prone to pinhole leaks. Most leaky evaporator coils have to be replaced. In more advanced systems, coils are often made from aluminum or other metals that are less vulnerable to the corrosion that causes leaks.
- Electricity bills – Technologically advanced components help a cooling system use less energy for equal or better performance compared to older systems.Variable-speed motors and compressors use less energy because they don’t often have to run at high speeds. A thermal expansion valve (TXV) controls refrigerant flow more precisely than older types of expansion valves, increasing the A/C’s energy efficiency.
Learn more about choosing an A/C replacement, as well as Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating efficient cooling solutions, or give us a call today at 888-414-4655.
