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If you’re looking at buying an air conditioner, central air is the way to go for those who can afford it. There are though a number of things to consider when asking about air cooling systems, and how to get the best house cooling bang for your buck. High efficiency air conditioning is a wonderful investment, but there are pitfalls to avoid. Here are some great ideas to help you buy the right residential air conditioning for you.
5 Ideas for buying the best residential air conditioning
1. The Pro is a Pro for a reason: Even if you’re an experienced DIYer and feel that your home layout is simple, don’t assume that installing your own central air will be straightforward. Unless you’re willing to undertake a great deal of self-education and invest in some very expensive equipment which you’ll maybe never use again, go with the professional. However, as always, before hiring any home improvement professional, see HIR’s suggestions on how to hire a contractor.
2. Get the perfect fit: Proper sizing is critical. If the system you buy is too small, it won’t sufficiently cool your home, however you can error in buying a system that is too large as well. It will cause a constant racket and too-frequently cycle leading to energy waste and unnecessary and wasteful equipment overuse. The experienced contractor goes beyond simple square footage calculations and assesses the load calculation. This assessment takes account of considerations such as the amount, type and placement of windows, location and extent of insulation. Even orientation to the sun can influence the load calculation. All these considerations are necessary for ensuring high efficiency air conditioning.
3. Get the right equipment: The U.S. EPA and Department of Energy inform us that approximately one-seventh of all the electricity generated in the United States is used to air condition buildings. This gives you an idea of how expensive this endeavor can be. You don’t want to make the matter harder on your pocket book by having the wrong equipment. A good professional helps you select equipment that provides dependable comfort and high efficiency air conditioning that will save you money. Have your contractor explain how many BTUs an air conditioner removes for every watt of electricity it uses. This will allow you to make the necessarily informed decision. Additionally, a zoned control system provides further savings by moving the cool only into areas of the home where it’s needed. Some options you might want to consider.
4. Put the equipment in properly: Proper installation is essential. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to the letter. The indoor equipment should be installed in a well-insulated space, while the outdoor compressor is kept clear of debris and placed to protect it from direct exposure to the sun.
5. Finally, don’t mix and match: Once your central air system is more than 10 years old, it’s time to start thinking about replacing it. Keep in mind, too, there’s no big savings in replacing only part of the system. All the components in a central air conditioning system are designed and calibrated to work in unison for optimum performance and efficiency. Trying to patch together legacy and new elements of a system will usually provide considerably sub-optimal results.
Hope these 5 ideas for buying the best residential air conditioning are of benefit to you in choosing among the air cooling systems out there and getting the most comfortable and high efficiency air conditioning that you can.
