If you’re considering investing in a new air conditioner for your home, it’s natural to do some research. The basis of your research should be understanding the subtle differences between new and old air conditioners. This way, you can ensure that your new air conditioner has the features that you desire before you choose to invest your money in it.
Refrigerant
Probably one of the biggest differences between new and old AC units is the type of refrigerant that they use. Old air conditioners used R-22 refrigerant, which has now been discovered to be harmful to the environment. More specifically, it depletes the ozone layer and contributes to global warming.
The government has taken action to ban the future use of R-22 refrigerant, which is forcing many homeowners to upgrade their existing air conditioning systems. This harmful refrigerant has since been replaced with R-410A refrigerant, which is better for the environment and runs more efficiently than R-22.
Size
A major benefit of newer air conditioners compared to older ones is that new systems are much smaller in size. No longer do you need to deal with a massive outdoor AC unit that takes up your space and detracts from the overall aesthetic look of your home. Newer units are relatively small and sleek-looking, which makes them more visually appealing than many older AC models. Additionally, a smaller-sized unit helps to keep installation costs cheaper, as HVAC professionals aren’t having to deal with moving large equipment to your home.
Quieter Operation
When most people invest in modern air conditioning systems for their houses, the first thing they notice is that their newer systems are much quieter than their older units. Newer cooling systems have been proven to run up to 20% quieter than older air conditioners. A combination of a quieter compression pump and fan rotation technology has resulted in some of the quietest air conditioning models on the market today. Just imagine enjoying an outdoor dinner or a day in the sun without having to shout over the sound of your AC unit.
Energy Consumption
Another notable difference between old and new air conditioner models is their energy consumption. Most older AC systems use around 6,000 watts of energy per hour to effectively cool a single-family home. When you compare that energy consumption level with only around 1,700 watts per hour for newer systems, it becomes overly clear just how energy-efficient newer cooling systems truly are. Any homeowner knows that a difference of 4,300 watts per hour can add up to real money savings on their home energy bills.
More Options
If you take just one look at the new air conditioners offered on the market, you’ll notice right away that there are many more options than there used to be. Homeowners can choose between mini-split units, ducted units, and even heat pumps. There are a ton of customization options ranging from system designs to functionality. If you have problem spots in your house that your current air conditioner just isn’t adequately cooling down, you can find newer air conditioning options that can fix that issue.
Smart Thermostat Compatibility
If you really want to cash in on the energy savings that are possible with today’s HVAC technology, then you need an air conditioning system that’s compatible with a smart thermostat. These newer thermostats allow you to customize how your cooling system runs throughout the week and allows you to change your settings from the convenience of your smartphone. Additionally, many new smart thermostats will even provide you with setting recommendations to enlighten you on how to save even more money on your energy bills by running your AC unit in a more energy-efficient manner.
Higher SEER Ratings
One of the most used indicators to determine the efficiency of an air conditioning system is its SEER rating. SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency rating, and it showcases how energy-efficient an AC unit is based on its total season operation. An air conditioner’s SEER rating is calculated by dividing the system’s total cooling output for the season by its total energy consumption for the season.
The higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient a system will be. Most older home cooling systems have a SEER rating of eight or nine. Modern air conditioners are required by industry standards to have a SEER rating of 13 or higher. Some of the most efficient options on the market today have a SEER rating between 20 and 23. That’s more than double the efficiency of older air conditioning systems!
Better Designed Compressors
At the heart of any great running air conditioner is its compressor. In older cooling systems, the compressor was one of the hot items on the failure list. This is attributed to the fact that older compressors had many moving parts that were exposed to dirt, moisture, and other outdoor contaminants. Modern compressors have fewer moving parts and are designed in an efficient manner that’s less susceptible to failure due to moisture and dirt.
Larger Coils
Any functional air conditioning system will have two main coils. These are comprised of the evaporator coil, which is typically housed inside, and the condenser coil, which is housed in the outdoor unit. The evaporator coil is responsible for taking the heat out of the air inside of your home and transferring it to the condenser coil outside. The condenser coil then releases that heat into the air outdoors.
Newer air conditioning systems have larger evaporator and condenser coils than older units. This essentially allows them to transfer more heat outdoors in the same amount of time. This translates to a much cooler home in a quick amount of time when you invest in new air conditioning system technology.
Motor Technology
If you have an older air conditioner, then you likely know that you must add oil to your system to keep it working properly. This can be a real pain and costly for those who have a certified HVAC professional do the maintenance for them. Fortunately, newer air conditioning systems utilize sealed bearings that don’t require you to add any oil. This means less maintenance for you to worry about paying for.
Additionally, blower motors have been designed with more efficient housing. This allows air to flow more evenly through the blower, which allows the motor to work more easily than ever before. Even the fan blades for the condenser are specifically engineered to work more thoroughly so that less stress is placed on the motor. This results in the motors on new cooling systems lasting much longer than motors on older air conditioners.
Professional AC Services
HB Home Service Team offers professional AC services for the entire Randallstown, MD area. We’re also here for all of your heating, plumbing, electrical, and well pump services. Be sure to give us a call today to get the professional help that you need! Our team can answer any questions that you may have.
