An air conditioning unit is an essential appliance that provides cooling comfort during hot and stuffy days.
However, some types of air conditioning—particularly older models—could be more trouble than they’re worth, requiring frequent fixes and providing inconsistent and unreliable cooling performance.
When an A/C unit is acting up, a domino effect of bad outcomes can come to fruition, particularly in workspaces and commercial centres. These outcomes can all negatively impact the organisation’s bottom line.
If you’re curious to learn about the productivity price of outdated air conditioning, then you’re in the right place. We’ll break down the true cost of holding onto an inefficient cooling system and why upgrading your system could be the optimal solution for your needs.
Let’s jump straight into it and explore the downsides of outdated A/C units.
1. Increased Energy Bills
It’s no surprise that air conditioning units need electricity to operate. On average, these appliances make up 10% of total energy consumption of a building’s total electricity consumption, if not more.
Some A/C units consume more energy than others. For instance, window-style A/C units use a modest 900-1,440 watts per hour, while central A/C units use up 3,000-3,500 watts per hour.
However, if your office is using an outdated or unmaintained A/C unit, you may be consuming more energy on average per hour due to inefficient technology within the appliance. This is particularly true if you’re using a non-inverter A/C model, as they’re not as adjustable.
But besides the model itself, an old and worn-out air conditioning unit has internal components that may be using up more energy than they’re supposed to. The problem could be caused by various issues like dirty filters or clogged coils. These problems cause the appliance to work harder to achieve the desired cooling temperature, thus consuming more electricity.
In any case, an underlying problem in your A/C unit can inflate your energy bill month after month. In such cases, replacing or undergoing a brand new air conditioning installation across Sydney stores may be a worthwhile next step to combat this high monthly electricity bill.
2. Frequent Breakdowns Disrupt Workflow
Another drawback of keeping an outdated air conditioning system is dealing with frequent appliance breakdowns. When an A/C unit fails to sufficiently cool a room, it could cause employee and customer discomfort that would need immediate addressing.
In temperature-sensitive environments, this breakdown could be even more pressing, leading to downtime and potential revenue loss. And even in environments where the A/C unit isn’t critical to productivity, having your staff coordinate with repair specialists outside can be a time-consuming ordeal and break them away from their usual flow state at work.
A/C units don’t break down often, but if they’re old and overused, the wear and tear could chip away at the effectiveness of various critical components, like the coils, compressors, and fans.
On top of that, old units may have broken components that are no longer supported with readily available replacement parts. This would mean that breakdowns (or inefficient cooling) will persist for as long as you use the appliance.
If you want your office not to worry about workflow disruption, upgrading to a more reliable and modern A/C system may be the right call to ensure smoother operations. This can help keep the environment cool and comfortable for your staff to conduct their daily workload more efficiently.
3. Inconsistent Cooling Could Affect Equipment Quality
Some rooms require their temperature to be set to a very precise number to maintain a high level of effectiveness. Take, for example, server rooms.
Company servers and computers generate a lot of heat when in use. If a proper A/C unit does not sufficiently cool these servers, they could be at risk of overheating or undergoing hardware stress. As a result, they could encounter performance issues or, worse, complete hardware failure.
As such, if your old A/C unit is starting to lose its ability to cool zoned spaces effectively, it may be time to upgrade it to a more capable system. Look for A/C units with well-zoned cooling features that precisely control their cooling capabilities. This way, you can protect your investments and ensure that your workspace runs smoothly.
4. Noise Pollution and Hot Air Can Affect Productivity
Outdated A/C systems can also be intrusive and loud when turned on. These systems can rattle or hum loudly, which can be distracting in meeting rooms, office spaces, and compact retail environments. This can reduce employee productivity and frustrate customers and stakeholders.
At the same time, the discomfort caused by uneven temperatures can also affect employee productivity in the workplace. When a room gets stuffy, hot, and humid, employees are more prone to losing concentration and becoming more fatigued in a shorter amount of time.
To combat this, replacing an old A/C system with a modern A/C system is optimal. These systems are quiet and efficient, making them valuable upgrades for businesses that value peace and quiet in the working environment.
5. Limited Smart Appliance Integration Versatility
Older A/C systems tend to be standalone appliances. This means they can’t connect with smartphones or other external devices.
While that fact alone doesn’t diminish their primary function, the lack of convenience can be a drawback in today’s more integrated and technological world.
If you want your office to become more tech-forward, replacing your old A/C unit with a modern smart A/C unit should be something to seriously consider.
Most newer A/C models can easily be linked to smart home systems. This includes smart thermostats and voice assistants, allowing you to manually or automatically control the A/C unit without getting out of your seat or using an appliance-specific remote control device.
This greater temperature control can help your workplace enjoy a more optimally cooled environment while simultaneously granting you the choice to use less energy, making your space more energy-efficient.
6. Rising Electricity Costs Cut the Budget
Continuing to use outdated A/C units means swallowing the high energy costs that these appliances consume. Over time, these costs will consume more of your revenue and contribute to more significant operational costs.
Every month you continue using your old A/C unit, you miss out on potential savings that could be better allocated to other areas of your operations, such as supply acquisition or business development.
While the upfront cost of buying a new A/C unit is definitely high, the long-term reductions in your electricity bill—coupled with the stifled need for maintenance and the more efficient cooling—makes investing in a new A/C a more financially smart decision.