Choosing a New Air Conditioning System

How To Choose The Right Air Conditioning System For Your Home

Central Air Conditioning FAQs

ac repair ft lauderdale flWhat do I need to consider when purchasing a new air conditioning unit?

Selecting an air conditioner for your home is a big decision. It’s perhaps the largest home improvement investment you will need to make. It will also play a key role in your home energy expenses for years to come. And when the summer heat is at its worst, you’ll want your family to have the best, most reliable air conditioning unit possible. Here are a few things to consider.

What do good central air conditioning units have in common?

The best ones are efficient, operating on minimal electricity to  lower your cooling costs. They provide steady, dependable performance year after year when properly maintained. Good systems are quiet, long-lasting and low in service needs. Some of the most trusted air conditioning brands include Trane, Carrier and Rheem because they have a long history of reliability.

How can I be sure my Unit is the right size?

Obviously, an air conditioner that’s too small won’t keep your home sufficiently cool. But what many don’t realize is that an oversized system will cycle (turn on and off) more than necessary wasting expensive energy and possibly putting undue strain on the compressor. When an air conditioner overcycles you will notice that the air feels cold and damp. Conversely, an undersized unit will run continuously and fail to properly cool your home.  A good contractor will determine the optimum size for your home by making a careful study of your cooling requirements. Window dimensions and exposure. Floor space, insulation and local climate. Heat-generating appliances. The direction your home faces. Even the amount of your home’s exterior shaded by trees. He’ll specify the cooling capacity of the system in either Btu/h (British thermal units of heat removed per hour) or refrigeration tons (one ton being equal to 12,000 Btu/h).

Which air conditioners are energy efficient?500_Series_Thermostat

Much like automobile manufacturers, today’s air conditioner manufacturers are required by law to evaluate and rate their equipment according to its energy efficiency. This rating is known in the industry as a SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the equipment. Most new homes with central air come equipped with a standard builder’s model. However, when replacement becomes necessary, property owners can upgrade their air conditioning by specifying a more energy-efficient system. High SEER models are generally more expensive but can easily make up the difference by saving you hundreds of dollars on your annual energy bills. If you live in South Florida and are an FPL customer you may qualify to receive as much as $718 towards the cost of your replacement air conditioning system. This will help offset the initial investment and significantly reduce your cooling costs.

Are some air conditioners built better than others?

The compressor is the heart of a condensing unit. On a hot day, it works long and hard. Rheem installs the highly advanced scroll compressor in every AC condensing unit we produce. Scroll Compressors are recognized by the industry as the leader in reliability, efficiency and quiet operation. Other features to look for include louvered steel cabinets that protect the coils from damage and expensive repair bills. Also, with some condensing units, the fan can be another source of bothersome noise. Some units have a grill design that minimizes air restriction for quieter fan operation.

Air conditioning Repair and Installation South FLWhich air conditioners offer the best value?

The most energy efficient air conditioners will be more expensive but will also save you the most money on your cooling costs. The same holds true if the AC unit has a lot of convenience and energy saving features. If you have budget constraints and  just need a good air conditioning system without a lot of bells and whistles then you will want to prioritize a higher SEER rating. This will give you for the best overall value. Rheem, Trane and Carrier have a long history of reliability and all offer high efficiency air conditioning systems.

Which air conditioning units have the longest lifespan?

Consumer Reports has stopped conducting long term reliability ratings on central air conditioning units. This is because the lifespan of a central air conditioning unit can vary greatly based upon whether or not it was properly installed. When your air conditioning unit is installed correctly it should give you many years of dependable service and require fewer repairs. If you want to be sure your air conditioning unit is installed correctly always choose an air conditioning contractor that uses a permit. This way you know the work is performed correctly and complies with city building codes.

Universal Air and Heat sells all brands of central air conditioners and offers Free AC  Estimates. We have  next day air conditioning unit installation with a permit throughout all of South Florida and Tampa Florida. You can even schedule your free estimate online.

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