What to Know When Replacing Your Air Conditioner
An air conditioner replacement is a decision that will last you for the upcoming 10-15 years. You want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your investment and we want to help you along with that. Here are some things you should have when the moment comes for an air conditioner replacement.
Choosing the Properly Sized System
An inappropriately sized system may cost you in many ways, from purchase price to cost of operation. You’ll want to have a professional visit and evaluate a load calculation on your space. Load calculations used to be made using an educated guess and were usually determined on a home’s square footage. Technology has come a long way and now, along with square footage, things such as: home foundation, window type and location, color of roofing, insulation and many 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 getting a new system, you’ll want to be certain 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 interference -- those could cause your system to lack efficiency. Your system’s performance is altered greatly by how well your ducts can distribute your air.
Your Replacement System’s SEER Rating
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings measure the productivity of your AC system. A system with better 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 getting up to 25. Defining the proper rating for your home isn’t as simple as choosing the highest number. Some other ideas to take into account are the weather in your region, how often you’ll run your system and how long you’ll be spending time in your household.
Our experts can talk you through all of your concerns regarding purchasing an air conditioner replacement. We recognize a new system is a huge investment and we strive to help you make the best 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 309-517-7511.