New laws in air conditioning rarely make the front page news, but since the early 1990s, there have been a number of new mandates rolled out to reduce the negative effects that greenhouse gases and refrigerant have had from an environmental standpoint. As mandates continue, there is one in specific of which you should be aware: the full phase-out of Freon, also known as R-22. Significant rollbacks have already occurred. For instance, if you have an air conditioning system that uses Freon, you may have been made aware that R-22 is only manufactured to repair existing ACs; in other words, air conditioners can no longer be produced with R-22. The result has been that Freon recharges for systems that have a refrigerant leak will be far more expensive than they were previously because of the limited amount of Freon being made. So the question is: is it worth it to keep your Freon-based air conditioning system in Pittsburgh, PA?
Boehmer Heating & Cooling Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning Replacement’
How Will the Freon Phase-Out Affect You?
Monday, June 15th, 2015Is It Time for AC Replacement?
Monday, April 20th, 2015Spring is a great time to assess your home’s needs, and if it’s time to replace an outdated air conditioner, now is the perfect time to do it. It isn’t always obvious when it’s time to replace an air conditioner, especially when your system is still running, so our experts have listed a few factors to consider. One thing that never changes is that it’s imperative to hire an expert for your AC work, especially for a system replacement. Our specialists can help you size and install a new replacement for your Pittsburgh, PA, home, so just give us a call today!
Can I Wait for Air Conditioning Replacement?
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014Replacing an air conditioner is a big decision, and shouldn’t be rushed into. But at the height of summer, it can be difficult to overcome the daily heat and humidity with an aging system. When faced with the question to replace now or later, one of the best choices you can make is to consult with a professional. Boehmer Heating & Cooling has helped Baldwin residents with their cooling needs for over 80 years. Below are some questions that may help with your decision about when to replace your current AC:
- How often do you need repairs?
Have you found yourself calling frequently for air conditioning repair work over the last 2 years? At some point, the inconvenience and cost of multiple, frequent repairs may indicate you’d be better off with a new system.
- How well is your current system cooling?
One of the telltale signs that an aging air conditioner is ready for replacement is an inability to cool your home. Whether you are experiencing uneven cooling, or your system struggles to reach the set temperature, if you aren’t getting the cooling you need, your indoor comfort is compromised.
- How old is your system?
The average lifespan of an air conditioner is about 12 years, but if your system is 8 years old or older, you may be missing out on savings in the form of energy efficiency. This is because in 2006, federal regulations changed, requiring that all air conditioners be manufactured with a minimum SEER of 13; the previous law mandated it be 10.
- How efficient is your system?
Even if your AC meets the minimum SEER regulation, an older system can still have problems being energy efficient. The best way to asses this is to review your monthly energy costs with a specialist.
Work With a Professional
If the answers to the questions above have pointed you in the direction of needing replacement for your AC sooner rather than later, the best way to ensure you install an air conditioning system that fits your home is to work with an AC installation expert. Many factors go into determining what air conditioner will work best for you, and some of these factors can be complex or even overlooked.
Since 1933, Boehmer Heating and Cooling experts have helped Baldwin customers with their cooling needs. Call us today and schedule an appointment.
When Should I Replace My Air Conditioner?
Friday, May 2nd, 2014Many homeowners with air conditioning systems have to face replacing or upgrading their air conditioner at some point. This can be a good thing for your air conditioner, as technological advancements have made air conditioning systems very effective and energy efficient, and they add great value to your home. So when should you take a good look at possibly replacing your system? Here are some tips from Boehmer Heating & Cooling to help you determine if this is the right time for an air conditioning replacement in Pittsburgh.
Assess the Overall Picture
There are multiple factors that need to be considered when looking to either replace or upgrade your air conditioning system. The first three are:
- How old is the system?
- How much does it cost to repair it?
- What is the life expectancy of the system?
Age of Your System
When looking at an air conditioning replacement or upgrade, the first item to consider is the age of your current system. With the latest HVAC technological advancements, combined with new federal regulations, recommended that if your system should be upgraded or replaced if it is 10+ years old.. While there may be a significant cost to the initial replacement, the efficiency of a new system will show itself immediately in your electrical bills.
Cost of Repairs
If you spend a lot of money on repairs, or are looking at expensive repairs in the not-too-distant-future, you may want to start pricing out better options with an expert at Boehmer Heating & Cooling. At some point, paying for repairs simply isn’t as economically feasible as moving ahead with a new air conditioning system. In fact, it may cost you less money to replace a system rather than continue to repair it.
Life Expectancy of Your System
How much time does your current system realistically have left? This will depend in large part on its age; it’s safe to say that if your system is 8 years or older, you are looking at a replacement sooner rather than later.
Other Questions to Consider
In addition to the main 3 questions above, you may also want to ask the following:
- Are my energy bills going up?
- Do I have hot and cold spots inside my property?
- Am I experiencing humidity problems?
- Is my system excessively noisy?
Consult a Boehmer Heating and Cooling Expert
Replacing or upgrading and entire air conditioning system is a very important purchase for your property. Let a Boehmer Heating and Cooling specialist help you with any and all questions you may have about upgrading or replacing your air conditioning system. For great air conditioning services in Pittsburgh, ours is the number to dial. Give us a call today!
Try Something New with Your Air Conditioning Replacement in Pittsburgh
Wednesday, August 14th, 2013As much as the AC experts here at Boehmer Heating & Cooling would like to tell you that you will never have to worry about problems with your air conditioner, it simply is not true. All air conditioners will need to be replaced at some point. Mechanical systems just cannot run forever. When you decide to invest in a replacement air conditioning system, give us a call. We have a great selection of home cooling systems for you to choose from, and we’ll make sure that you find the right one for your home and personal cooling preferences. Here are a few to consider.
While split central air conditioners are the most common air conditioning systems, many homeowners find that the energy efficiency problems they have with their ductwork, or the indoor air quality issues that may arise with such systems, leave them wanting something new and different. If you are interested in eliminating the use of ductwork in your home altogether, contact us today. With a ductless mini split system, individual blowers are connected to an outdoor unit via a simple conduit. No ductwork is used, and there is no way for energy to go to waste or for pollutants to make their way into that ductwork.
You may find that your air conditioning costs are too high. For a truly efficient air conditioning system, consider the installation of a heat pump in your home, which can provide both heating and cooling. These systems do no rely on the consumption of fuel in order to heat your home. Instead, they utilize the heat transfer process in order to move heat from one area to another. Only a small amount of electricity is required to do so. This allows you to heat and cool your home more affordably and in a very environmentally friendly manner.
There is no reason that you have to stick with what you know when scheduling your air conditioning replacement in Pittsburgh. Let us help you get the most from your AC. When you work with the professional air conditioning technicians at Boehmer Heating & Cooling, you can be confident in the quality of the services you’ll receive.
Pittsburgh Air Conditioning Replacement Tip: Why Upgrade My Thermostat?
Tuesday, June 18th, 2013If you’re not yet ready for or don’t yet need a new system replacement, an air conditioning upgrade is a great way to breathe new life into your existing system without making any major modifications. One particularly effective upgrade is a new thermostat. Today’s thermostats are much different from their conventional predecessors. They are accurate, easy to read and adjust, and can significantly improve your AC. There are various makes and models on the market today, so it’s best to consult with a professional technician about any changes to your existing system so that you can take full advantage of the benefits of your thermostat upgrade.
In order to understand why upgrading might be right for you, let’s take a look at some of the benefits of a thermostat upgrade.
- Better control: A digital, programmable, or even wifi-enabled device gives you better control over the temperature of your home. It allows you to fully customize a schedule of cooling that works around your schedule. By giving you more accurate temperature readings and better control over actualizing those temperatures, a thermostat upgrade can help you take control of your AC system.
- Energy efficiency: One of the great benefits of a thermostat upgrade is that it leads to energy savings. There’s simply no better way to control your energy costs than by having your programmable thermostat turn off your AC when you’re not there and turn it on just before you walk in the door. Because your AC takes up such a major portion of your home energy budget during the cooling season, any improvements you can make help to alleviate the cost.
There are a number of different thermostats available for use in your home, and the technology keeps advancing. Whether you go with a simple digital, programmable, or wifi-enabled model, make sure it is able to integrate well with your existing AC. Call a Pittsburgh air conditioning replacement technician at Boehmer Heating & Cooling today to learn more about what you can do to improve your AC.
Pittsburgh Air Conditioning Question: When Is It Time to Replace My AC?
Monday, April 22nd, 2013There are numerous factors affecting the decision to replace your air conditioning system. You may be impelled by necessity: your old AC may have simply stopped working one day, and no amount of tinkering would make it turn on. Whatever your reason for considering replacement, you need to receive a professional diagnosis in order to evaluate your unique situation appropriately. That said, there are some common signs that may indicate you need to replace your air conditioner, rather than to continue repairing it. We’d like to look at a few such reasons. For more information about our Pittsburgh air conditioning replacement services, contact a professional at Boehmer Heating & Cooling today!
- Frequent repairs: This is the most common reason to pursue replacement. When your AC needs professional repair on a regular basis, then it may be time to consider upgrading to a new model. We rely on our air conditioners throughout the hot and humid summer, and a major breakdown in the middle of the summer may be an irritating disruption you want to avoid. Pre-emptively replacing your unit puts you in control of your home comfort.
- Old AC: If your AC has seen better days, it’s probably a good time to upgrade. Over time, whether due to neglect or general wear and tear, your AC components will start to break down. Your old AC may take a long time to cool your home, or it may fail to cool your home at all. These are all issues when you need reliable and effective cooling during the hot months.
- Energy efficiency: Today’s air conditioning systems are much more energy efficient than those of even just 10 years ago. This is an important factor when considering whether to repair or replace. Consult with your local professional to see how much you might save in the long-term by upgrading to a new central air system, or by taking advantage of geothermal technology.
When you need air conditioning replacement service in Pittsburgh, call the experts at Boehmer Heating & Cooling today!