My take

Simple rough calculation. Assume $250 of the $350 is for AC. Compare your
electric bill to April or October when you aren't doing much heating or
cooling. Assume new system is SEER of 16.

Cost of new AC in worst month is $250*12/16 = $188, so you would save $62.
So maybe about $200 to $250 over the year. You may wish to compare this to
interest you could earn by putting the cost of replacing the AC in the bank.
Something like 4% these days. This also assumes you are staying in your
house for more than 10 years.

That being said with all the financial problems in this country there is
going to be a lot of inflation. Both electric rates and the cost of a new
AC will be rapidly increasing. So it probably is a good investment. This
time of the year is probably a good time to shop around as folks aren't
using their AC as much and installers/repairers are less busy.


"trailer" wrote in message
...
Our air conditioner unit is almost 20 years old now. It is a Trane unit
and
still works fine-SEER is 12.

The attic furnace, also a Trane, is natural gas and is about 13 years old.
It still works OK.

We haven't had problems with any of the equipment since installation. I
live in northern Texas-the summers can get pretty hot and humid.

I hear a lot of commercials recommending that I change out the old units
with new, higher efficiency air conditioners and furnaces. Many of the
commercials claim that the newer units will pay for themselves with
savings
in utility costs.

My house was built in 70s and I have added insulation in the attic. It
has
about 2200 sq ft living area. My highest electric bill this summer was
$350 (electric only).

Is it worth replacing the AC and/or the furnace with new units? Depending
on the costs, I would strongly consider upgrading the SEER.

Thanks.