If your air conditioner is newer, you may be able to replace only the outdoor unit. The Department of Energy strongly recommends that you replace your HVAC system every 10 to 15 years. However, if you have a high-quality, well-maintained system, your unit can last more than 15 years. If you want your air conditioner to last a long time, it's best to schedule maintenance and set-up by a professional at least once every six months.
It is also best to do this before the summer and winter seasons, since these are the months in which the air conditioning system has to work the most. However, in most cases, you may have to replace the entire HVAC unit once it is damaged. But when it comes to replacing the air conditioner, homeowners tend to wonder: “Can only the outdoor air conditioning unit be replaced? , probably as a way to save money by completely replacing the air conditioner. Let's start by answering the question. The simplest answer to this would be NO.
Aside from that, here are other reasons why you should replace both units at the same time. The first reason you have to replace both units at the same time is that they must match. According to the Institute of Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration (AHRI), outdoor air conditioner units (condensers) can only operate with specific indoor units (air controllers)). This means that the two must match to ensure maximum efficiency.
In other words, if you replace only the outdoor unit of your air conditioner, you'll end up with a system that doesn't match. The downside of mismatched systems is that they can't meet your cooling needs like compatible systems would. Mismatched systems are known to be very inefficient, causing a lot of problems with air conditioning. Some problems that can arise if you have a mismatched system are reduced interior comfort, premature system failure, and high operating costs.
The next reason is that the SEER classifications may be different. The seasonal energy efficiency rating or SEER rating refers to the cooling power of an air conditioner during a cooling season compared to annual energy consumption. This classification is what determines the efficiency of an HVAC system. That said, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has stated that HVAC systems must have at least a SEER rating of 13 to be considered efficient.
However, regardless of how high an air conditioner's SEER rating is, it won't work efficiently if you simply replace the outdoor unit of your air conditioner. To ensure optimal efficiency, outdoor and indoor air conditioning units must always match, which also means that they must have the same SEER rating. If you don't, you'll run into a lot of problems stemming from the lack of system compatibility. R-22 is a refrigerant commonly found in older HVAC models. These chemicals were found to be harmful and contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer, as reported by the U.S.
UU. For this reason, manufacturers of air conditioning systems have adapted to greener designs and materials to preserve the environment. At the same time, federal energy laws now require manufacturers to use alternative refrigerants, such as R-410A, since it's safer. In other words, if your HVAC system is still using R-22 refrigerant, upgrading your unit to be more efficient and safer is highly recommended.
However, upgrading only the outdoor unit will make it incompatible with the indoor unit and you will not be able to use it. All new HVAC systems come with a manufacturer's or factory warranty. This warranty generally covers any failure of the unit due to defects or faults. However, if you have made updates and your system doesn't match, the manufacturer may void the warranty and deny you any repairs.
Replacing just one unit of the air conditioner can cause the entire system to operate inefficiently. This causes premature system failure and frequent repairs to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. To avoid this, it is best to replace both outdoor and indoor units at the same time. Systems that don't match usually make it to ten years old because they tend to overwork to compensate for their efficiency.
Whereas well-maintained and adapted HVAC systems can continue to perform well for more than 10 to 15 years. Here are some of the main benefits you can get if you replace the indoor and outdoor units of your air conditioner at the same time. Maintaining the cooling unit should not be that difficult. Here are some great tips for avoiding premature air conditioning system failure and premature air conditioner replacement. Keep in mind that these actions won't necessarily prevent your system from crashing.
However, these are excellent measures to increase the lifespan of your HVAC unit, increase its efficiency, and reduce cooling costs. To perform proper HVAC maintenance and repairs, be sure to contact a qualified HVAC contractor who knows and understands all the details related to maintaining air conditioning units. Another thing to keep in mind is that, even if the units have the same SEER rating, they may be a system that doesn't match if they come from different manufacturers. To ensure that your HVAC system is adequate, always hire a qualified HVAC contractor to replace your air conditioning unit.
PFO Heating & Air Conditioning provides superior heating and cooling services in the Princeton, New Jersey metropolitan area. We make sure to hire certified HVAC technicians who can provide you with excellent heating and air conditioning services, including adjustments, repairs, installations, replacements and more. Each technician has outstanding knowledge and experience to properly address the needs of your HVAC system. PFO Heating & Air Conditioning guarantees to offer the most competitive heating and cooling service costs in the area.
Our maintenance services ensure that your comfort is improved, your system's energy efficiency is increased and your home heating and cooling costs are reduced. Do you need to repair or replace your system? We'll recommend the best one for your home that fits your budget. The best part is that all of our work is backed with a warranty to ensure your satisfaction. When replacing your home's outdoor air conditioning unit, HVAC experts recommend that you also replace the indoor unit. While this is your decision alone, not replacing both can lead to problems such as reduced efficiency, regular failures, and increased cooling costs.
These are other reasons why you should replace both units at the same time. For your HVAC system to fit properly, you must hire a qualified HVAC contractor to replace your outdoor and indoor units. To perform proper HVAC maintenance and repairs, contact a qualified HVAC contractor who knows all the details related to maintaining air conditioning units. If you want to replace the outdoor air conditioning unit, experts would strongly recommend that you also replace the indoor unit. Replacing one unit will cause the entire system to be inefficient, leading to premature system failures and frequent HVAC repairs.
