What to Know When Replacing Your Air Conditioner
An air conditioner replacement is a choice that will be with you for the next 10-15 years. You want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your purchase and we want to help you along with that. Here are some tips you should know when the time comes for an air conditioner replacement.
Choosing the Properly Sized System
An inappropriately sized system may cost you in multiple ways, from purchase price to cost of operation. You’ll want to have a professional come in and evaluate a load calculation on your house. Load calculations used to be made using an educated guess and were basically based on a home’s square footage. Technology has gone a long way and now, along with square footage, things such as: home foundation, window style and location, color of roofing, insulation and various other characteristics factor into a home’s load calculation.
Check for Duct Leakage and Damage
Your ducts are what dispense air throughout your home. If you’re investing in a new system, you’ll want to be sure that new system is moving air through quality ducts and you’re not losing efficiency through leaks. Leakage isn’t the only complication to be found in your ducts. If your ducts are not spacious enough, have kinks in them or have any blockage -- those could cause your system to lack efficiency. Your system’s performance is impacted 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 greater efficiency takes less energy to lower temperatures in your home which means cheaper utility bills. The federally mandated SEER rating for new air conditioners is 13 or 14 depending your region, with a ratings getting as high as 25. Defining the proper rating for your home isn’t as obvious as picking the highest number. Some other knowledge 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 house.
Our professionals can talk you through all of your questions regarding purchasing an air conditioner replacement. We understand a new system is a major investment and we want to help you make the leading decisions for the comfort of your home. If you are ready for a new system or have any questions or concerns regarding your home comfort give us a call at 540-636-3396.