When the summer months arrive and the weather is hot and steamy, make your home a cool retreat for your family and friends. When choosing a Central Air Conditioning System, there are several important factors to keep in mind.
Size
An air conditioners cooling capacity is measured in British Thermal Units per hour, or Btu/hr. Take into consideration the square footage of your home and choose accordingly. Bigger doesn’t mean better. The biggest unit available is not going to cool the home more effectively. This can actually cause the unit to use too much energy and break down. Have a professional help you determine what size unit is best for your home.
Have An Energy Audit
It is a good idea to start with an energy audit of your home to help find leaks in ductwork and to assess the quality of insulation and sealing. This will make your home more energy efficient. Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, or SEER, is how energy is measured. The higher the SEER, the lower your energy costs will be, so choose accordingly.
Maintenance and Repair
Units require regular maintenance to keep them functioning at their best. Look for a service plan that provides or discounts maintenance and AC Repair. If your unit comes with a warranty, failure to have regular maintenance may void the warranty. Shop around for the best deal, and don’t be afraid to put your negotiating skills to work.
Programmable Thermostats
It is important that you know how to work the programmable thermostats properly, or you could be throwing money out the window. Using the thermostats correctly saves approximately 20% in cooling costs.
Installation Price
Take into consideration not only the price of the unit but the price of installation as well. You can try negotiating on the price of the air conditioner installation, or if you can, do it yourself.
Consider The Type Of Air Conditioner
Central air conditioning units come in different types. It can be installed entirely outside or split between the inside and the outside. The condenser and compressor are outside, and the evaporator is inside. This type can lower cooling costs significantly.
Take the above factors into consideration when choosing a central air conditioner for your home. The wrong choice could cause significant increases energy costs, so do your research and make the best choice for you. Don’t struggle to keep your house cool. Consider all the factors, and you will have a comfortable temperature all the time!
