5 Things to Consider When Choosing a New Air Conditioner
Did you know that selecting a new AC system is not as straight forward as you might think? With a seemingly endless number of models and features from a variety of manufactures at various price points, a little research can go a long way.
At Eagle Air Cooling and Heating in Queen Creek, AZ, we’re here to help you sort through the myriad of choices available to you in order to find the air conditioning system that best suits your needs and you budget. Our goal is to keep you and your family comfortable while saving you money on energy costs and repairs.
So, without further adieu, here are the 5 things to consider when choosing a new air conditioner
Your Budget
Your budget is the first determining factor when it comes to which AC systems to consider. Generally, the most energy efficient AC units are the most expensive and likewise, the least energy efficient AC units are the least expensive (within a given manufacturer’s product range). Therefore, your budget will help to determine the energy efficiency levels you can consider.
Energy Efficiency
As mentioned earlier, your budget will determine what level of energy efficiency you can afford. How does one rate AC energy efficiency? Air conditioner efficiency is rated in terms of SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating). A SEER rating specifies how much cooling the unit a particular AC unit provides per unit of electricity consumed. The higher the SEER rating, the greater the energy efficiency. For more information about SEER, read our post about it here.
Brand
There are at least a dozen brands of air conditioning systems in the U.S. residential market. These include (in no particular order) Trane, American Standard, RUUD, York, Lennox, Rheem, Bryant, Goodman, Carrier, Daiken, Westinghouse, Amana and Heil. Trane is considered the top dog, especially the higher end models with the greater SEER ratings. As such, they generally are more expensive than their competitors. Does that necessarily mean Trane is better than another brand. Some people think so, others not necessarily. Most people end up getting the same brand they are replacing while others will take the recommendation of the HVAC contractor who would be installing the new unit.
Noise level
Another consideration in your search for a new AC unit is the level of noise it produces. Quieter air conditioners generally cost more (to make them quieter) so, you may end up deciding to spend more to get a quieter unit.
Size and Capacity
Regardless of your budget, you still need to select the air conditioning unit that is appropriately sized for your home.
Too large an AC unit and your AC unit will start and stop more often, leading to premature wear and tear. Your home’s air will also be more humid as the unit will not run long enough to condense the air that accumulates on the coils.
Too small an AC unit and it will be unable to adequately cool down your home. This will ultimately result in higher energy consumption and higher electric bills. You can read more about how to select the correct size AC system for your home here.
TEXT US