How old is your air conditioner? Is it time to replace your AC? We don’t mean to be nosy — we’re asking for a reason. You see, now’s the time to get ready for another blazing hot Ontario summer. Number One on your to-do list should be making sure your air conditioning will reliably cool your home.
Whether you’re already having issues or you’re just doing some seasonal air conditioner maintenance, the age of your AC is an essential predictor of its performance this year. And it’s one of the first questions you’ll be asked when you request a service call.
If the central air was already in place when you bought your home, you probably don’t know how old it is. It’s easy to find out, though, with some simple detective work.
Where Can I Find The Age Of My Central Air Conditioner?
1. Is There A Nameplate?
There should be a metal nameplate attached to your AC’s outdoor condenser unit. The exact location will vary, depending on the brand. For example, Trane air conditioners have their nameplate on top of the unit, toward the back right. With Goodman air conditioning, it’s on the back of the outside unit.
You’ll find all kinds of useful information on the nameplate, which usually includes the company’s name that made your system, the model number, and the date of manufacture (indicated as month and year).
2. Can You Research The Serial Number?
If the AC nameplate does not show the manufacture date for some odd reason, look for the serial number. The date your system was made should be encoded in this number.
Write down the serial number and the model — or better yet, snap a photo. Then a quick online search ought to turn up the age of your air conditioning. If you can’t find what you’re looking for or you want to save time, send us the photo with a description of any issues your air conditioner is having.
3. When Was It Installed?
Another piece of the puzzle is the air conditioning installation date; this is defined as either:
- The date that the unit was installed (applies to most homes) OR
- The date that the original owner purchased the home from the builder (for new construction).
To find this out, dig through the paperwork you received from the seller when you bought your house. You need the AC invoice, warranty, or registration, which will show the installation date. The installation date is generally within a few months of manufacture, so it’s a good rough guide to the age of your air conditioner.
When Is It Time To Replace My Air Conditioner?
How long do ACs last? The normal service life of a central air conditioner in Ontario is 10-15 years (although the oldest ACs we’ve heard of are still running after 30 years!).
If your system is within this age bracket, it probably already has one or more serious problems, namely:
- It is much less energy-efficient than current models, developed to new standards with up-to-date technology. Air conditioner replacement will help you reduce your carbon footprint while saving you money on electricity.
- Your AC unit might use R22 (“Freon”) as a refrigerant. The Canadian government is phasing out Freon due to its ozone-depleting properties. This will make the repair of problems like refrigerant leakage very difficult.
- It may break down frequently, leaving you and your family without cooling during summer heatwaves. You might also end up with huge Lennox air conditioning repair bills. Buying a top-quality central air conditioning could make better financial sense than patching up the old one.
Call Dr HVAC When Your AC Is Ready To Retire
If your central air conditioning’s no longer up to the job of cooling your home, contact Dr HVAC. We are experts at air conditioner repair and replacement in Brampton, Georgetown, and throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
I WANT A COOL COMFORTABLE SUMMER
Check out this Google Review from a GTA homeowner:
DR HVAC to the rescue! Our A/C quit last Friday. We called Appleby/DR HVAC, and their tech Steve was able to come earlier than expected, which was great! He was super pleasant, professional and thorough. He gave us our options and his recommendations.
We decided, given the age of the unit (20 years), it was time for an upgrade. He secured time for later that afternoon to meet with a sales rep.
Bruna was also fantastic. She was very friendly and knowledgeable about the different product options and was able to give us recommendations to improve the movement of air through our house with a small change to the ductwork.
We got a great price on both A/C and Furnace (it was also 20 years old). Bruna was thorough in gathering the information the service guys needed, so they came in with a plan and knew what they were dealing with.
Despite it being a busy time, we were able to get people in today (Friday) to complete the work. Eric and his partner also arrived on time. Both were super professional and did a fantastic job with the replacement and installation. They were polite, clean and focused on the job.
The whole process was done with as little person-to-person contact as possible. Documents were sent online for signature and everyone showed up with face masks and wore them while in the house.
I can’t say enough about how happy I am with the team. You all were amazing and made what could have been a miserable time very enjoyable! Thank you all so much! We now have peace of mind for any new heat waves and for colder temps in the fall.
Amy B
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