Tips for Buying a Central Air Conditioner

The last thing we want is to sit there in those hot summer days sweating away, but before rushing to purchase a central air conditioning unit make sure to be completely certain about what type of central air conditioner you need for your home.

A central air conditioning unit does not come cheap plus it can be very confusing in choosing the right unit for your house or even on how to ask about installing the unit, that’s why it can be a stressful experience and it’s always good to make sure you have done all your research before purchasing one. Remember these units can last anywhere between 10 – 20 years.

If you are planning to purchase a central air conditioning unit during the summer while the weather is hot, you will probably want to rush and get one as soon as possible but try to be patient and make sure you have researched thoroughly on the different types of air conditioners available. Try to keep your house cool with a couple of fans while you look at the different central air conditioning systems, just make sure you have given yourself the time you need to make the right purchase. Below we have given you some tips to consider before purchasing a central air conditioning unit.

Consider Where You Live

Depending on the climate and where you live will play a huge role on choosing the correct size and type of air conditioner. For example, if you live in hot, humid region then an evaporator cooler will be best suited to you but if the climate you live in is not humid then a compressor-driven air conditioner system is a better option.

Choose the Right Size

 

The size of the air conditioner you pick can be slightly difficult because if the air conditioner unit is too big then not only will it be more expensive, but also it can leave your home feeling damp and sticky. An air conditioner unit that is too small will not keep an even temperature on really hot days. To be certain that no mistakes are made when choosing the right air conditioner unit it is best to get a contractor to go through your house including the basement, attic and all the other rooms to gather the data needed to properly size the correct air conditioner for your home.

When choosing a contractor make sure you have done your research too. When calling companies regarding their contractors be very specific to mention that you want them to send an actual contractor as many companies will send a salesman instead of a HVAC technician.

If there is already a existing air conditioner installed in your home then you may be able to attach the new air conditioner to the existing ducts if the unit size is compatible. If this is the first air conditioner unit to be installed in your home make sure its installed the best possible location with good duct insulation and sealing.

Picking SEER Values (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio)

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is a very important fact to consider when picking an air conditioner. It is mostly recommended to purchase a central air conditioner with a SEER rating higher than 12.0 and normally you will not need a central air conditioner with more than 14 SEER rating and extremely unlikely you will ever need one with more than 16 SEER.

Most people tend to think it is best to purchase a central air conditioner with the highest SEER rating but what most people tend to forget is that the SEER ratings are calculated in a lab setting and not in a real world environment. So even though the higher SEER rating the more efficient the unit will be a 14 or 16 SEER rating will get the job done just fine.

Check the Energy Efficiency

Having no air conditioner will be the most energy efficient way but not everyone wants to sit there hot and sticky so the next best thing is to look at energy efficient air conditioner.

Start by looking at air conditioners that rate more than 10 SEER. Also, make sure that the air conditioner is not too big as it will use much more energy and as mentioned before it will leave your home feeling damp and sticky as it will not be able to remove the humidity.

Last but not least, if you are replacing your air conditioner’s compressor on the outside of your home, you will need to be sure the blower coil that is inside is compatible or the new unit will not be able to be as efficient as it could be.

Maintenance Features

It is best to buy a system with a fan-only switch, so you can use the air conditioner unit for a nighttime ventilation, which will lower your costs.

Some air conditioners will have a check light to remind you to check the filter, this check light will come on after some time of the air conditioner has been used. Changing the filter is very important to make the air conditioner run more efficient. Then there’s some that have an automatic-delay fan switch. This switch will turn off the fan in the unit a few minutes before the compressor turns off.

Noise

Finally another thing to consider is the noise central air conditioners make. The last thing you would want is for the noise to disturb your neighbors or even your time spent outside.