Cool Down with Carrier Hawaii

Our family invested in a split unit air conditioner in 2012, but the rising temperatures each year have us wondering if it’s time for an upgrade. How do we know if our unit is outdated and should we be shopping for a new unit to stay cool through the summer? — Homeowner, Kapolei

If you have an older air conditioner approaching 15 years, you should definitely start looking at newer units and make sure you have your current model regularly serviced. That includes not only vacuuming and cleaning the indoor filter, but also making sure the indoor coil is clean so you’re getting the maximum heat transfer. Additionally, you should also have a service contractor inspect the unit to make sure there are no leaks, wash down the outdoor coil, and make sure it is charging properly. Annual service appointments are ideal for most homeowners, but for those who live on the coastlines, outdoor coils should be washed down more often. You may start to notice rust on the cabinet of the unit itself, or signs of deterioration of the outdoor coil and fins due to salt accumulation.

The general life span of an air conditioner is between 10-15 years, so this is the perfect time to consider an upgrade as technology has vastly improved in recent years. The Department of Energy mandated new regulations that went into effect in 2023, increasing SEER2 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) levels by 15%. A higher SEER rating is not only better for the planet, it also saves energy — which saves you money, too. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency set new global warming potential limits for air conditioning, requiring refrigerant updates in 2025.

With regular maintenance by trained professionals, your air conditioning systems can last 10-15 years.

Carrier is leading the industry by releasing our new refrigerants a year early, so all of our 2024 models are already up to the 2025 efficiency standards. This includes a wide range of ductless units in all of our Infinity, Performance and Comfort systems. These models are each outfitted with variable speed compressors that ramp up and down, working to dehumidify and filter air, as well as maintain a steady stream at the desired indoor temperature. This also results in lower costs as units are designed to operate effectively and continuously, while also using less energy.

For additional information on these energy-efficient units and more, turn to the experts at Carrier Hawaii. Visit carrierhawaii.com or call (808) 677-6339.

“To maximize the efficiency of your air conditioner, we recommend keeping the unit running at all times to maintain the general comfort temperature of the home. This will ultimately save on energy because your unit won’t have to work harder than necessary.” — Robert Pascua

Editor’s Note: This article has been slightly modified from the original print version for optimal online reading. To view the full print story, pick up your copy of Hawaii Home + Remodeling at one of our partner locations.