Plano Air Conditioning and Heating

Buying a New AC Unit vs Having Your Unit Repaired

When you experience problems with your Air Conditioning and heating unit you are often faced with a decision to repair or replace your AC units. Buying a new Air Conditioner can be a big decision and choosing to repair an older AC unit may not always be the best one. Many times older systems that require repair may be more costly in the long run than newer systems that consume less energy and normally pay for themselves over time. However, there are also times where simple repairs and maintenance is all that is need to prolong the life of any system and a new install is not necessary. It is always our recommendation that you do your research and consult with a certified Heating, Ventilation, and Air Condition expert before making an informed decision.

Efficiency Ratings and How They Effect You

The efficiency of air conditioners is often rated by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) which is defined by the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute in its standard ARI 210=240, Performance Rating of Unitary Air-Conditioning and Air-Source Heat Pump Equipment. The higher the SEER rating of a unit, the more energy efficient it is. The SEER rating is the BTU of cooling output during a typical cooling-season divided by the total electric energy input in watt-hours during the same period. For example, a 5000 Btu/h air-conditioning unit, with a SEER of 10, operating for a total of 1000 hours during an annual cooling season (e.g., 8 hours per day for 125 days) would provide an annual total cooling output of:

5000 BTU/h × 1000 h = 5,000,000 Btu

With a SEER of 10, the annual electrical energy usage would be about:

5,000,000 BTU / 10 BTU/W·h = 500,000 W·h

The average power usage may also be calculated more simply by:

Average power = (Btu/h) / (SEER, Btu/W·h) = 5000 ÷ 10 = 500 W

If your electricity cost is 20¢/kWh, then your operating cost is:

0.5 kW × 20¢/kWh = 10¢/h

On average the higher the SEER rating of an Air Condition Unit the more it will cost you initially. As the years go by however, the energy savings you will incur will generally always outweigh the cost difference in the beginning. For more on how much you can save over time please visit the CPS energy web site.