What to Know When Replacing Your Air Conditioner
An air conditioner replacement is a decision that will be with you for the upcoming 10-15 years. You want to make sure you’re receiving the most out of your purchase and we strive to help you along with that. Here are some pieces of knowledge you should have when the time comes for an air conditioner replacement.
Choosing the Properly Sized System
An improperly sized system may cost you in many ways, from purchase price to price of operation. You’ll want to have a professional come in and figure out a load calculation on your space. Load calculations used to be made using an educated guess and were usually measured on a home’s square footage. Technology has come a long way and now, along with square footage, things such as: home foundation, window design and location, color of roofing, insulation and various other things factor into a home’s load calculation.
Check for Duct Leakage and Damage
Your ducts are what move air throughout your home. If you’re buying a new system, you’ll want to be sure that new system is pushing air through quality ducts and you’re not losing efficiency through leaks. Leakage isn’t the only problem to be found in your ducts. If your ducts are not large enough, have kinks in them or have any obstructions -- those could cause your system to lack efficiency. Your system’s performance is altered greatly by how well your ducts can move your air.
Your Replacement System’s SEER Rating
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings measure the efficiency of your AC system. A system with higher efficiency takes less energy to chill your home which means lower utility bills. The federally mandated SEER rating for new air conditioners is 13 or 14 depending your region, with a ratings going up to 25. Determining the proper rating for your home isn’t as obvious as picking the highest number. Some other things to take into account are the temperature in your region, how often you’ll run your system and how long you’ll be residing in your household.
Our specialists can talk you through all of your concerns regarding purchasing an air conditioner replacement. We realize a new system is a major investment and we strive to help you make the best decisions for the comfort of your home. If you are looking for a new system or have any questions or concerns regarding your home comfort give us a call at 256-270-1196.