If the time has come to replace your old central air system, we hope that you call us to review the most current in HVAC technology, and best fit for your home, lifestyle and budget. We have the experience to make suggestions based on the information we receive during an in-home consultation. If you have not had us consult for you, here are some things to consider when thinking about your next central air unit.
Bigger isn't always better
With cooling units, physical size has little to do with a decision, rather the unit's ability to produce a cool environment. A cooling unit is measured by BTU (British Thermal Unit), or the ability to produce cool air. One BTU equals the amount of energy needed to change 1 pound of water, 1 degree.
So why isn't bigger better in some cases? First, a larger unit simply will cost more. Second, a large cooling unit that is under-worked will cycle on and off too frequently - causing inconsistencies in dehumidifying the air.
On the flip side, an air conditioner that is too small will not be able to keep up to its work load on hot days and will have to run overtime in order to achieve your desired in-home temperature. On average, most homes need about 1 ton of capacity for every 400 square feet. For example, a 2,000 squar foot home would probably require a 5-ton central air unit.
Energy Efficiency
With energy costs continuing to rise, older cooling units can become expensive to operate. With today's HVAC technologies, there are plenty of energy-efficient products to choose from that will save you money over its life span. In fact, it is possible that the amount of money you save could potentially pay for the cooling unit over its life.
Every air conditioner is given an efficiency rating, referred to as SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating). The higher the SEER number, the more energy efficient the unit is, and the more cost savings you can expect to receive. There are some old cooling units that are still running today with SEER ratings as low as 6, however, new products are available today with SEER ratings of up to 17.
To put this into perspective, a SEER of 13 is 30% more efficient than a SEER of 10. Newer cooling products are designed with features such as larger coils, a higher temperature rating, variable speed blowers, a fan only switch, automatic delay fan switch and filter indicator lights. These all combine to help save the most amount of energy possible.
Warranties
Cooling product warranties are there to help you get the maximum lifespan from your unit. Before purchasing your next central air system, be sure to ask about the warranty it comes with along with all the terms and conditions. Warranties can vary significantly from one make to the next and should be taken into consideration when deciding on products. Be advised that most warranties will be void if the cooling unit is worked on by an non-authorized service person.
Refrigerants
In the late 1980s, we began to see substances that are damaging to the earth getting phased out. In the mid 90s, Freon became the most common refrigerant for residential heat pumps, which was deemed to be less damaging to the earth's ozone. In 2010, the EPA phased out equipment that uses Freon, so the industry had to find substitutes for R-22 products such as R-410A - a blend of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). It is manufactured and sold under various trade names, including Puron, Forane 410A, GENETRON AZ-20, and SUVA 410A.
Based on the material you read above, we are experts at suggesting the best cooling unit for your home's specs, your lifestyle and budget. We offer free, in-home, no-obligation consultations and are happy to discuss your home's HVAC needs. At 4 Seasons Heating, Cooling & Electrical, our technicians are all licensed, bonded and insured and we are members of the HRAI and the BBB. We are a family-owned business and make your indoor climate and safety our top priority. We book appointments 24/7 by phone and online.
For more information on items provided in this article, or to speak to our sales team, call us at (204) 953-5700 or reach out to us online by clicking here.
