Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning or HVAC is a common solution for home and commercial indoor climate control. Depending on the season, an HVAC system allows warm or cool air to be distributed throughout an interior space by a series of ducts. However, there is a price to pay for that comfort. Almost half of the average Americans energy bill is dedicated to heating and cooling their home. With proper maintenance and equipment, the HVAC system can be quite efficient. Efficiency is always improving with heating and cooling appliances so, if your unit is almost ten years old it may be wise to replace.
Central air conditioners send cool air through ducts to different areas of your home. Once this air circulates through your home and becomes warm again it cycles back through the return ducts and is cooled again by the air conditioning unit. The unit also takes excess moisture out of the air it cools. This keeps the humidity low in your home making it feel even cooler.
Central air conditioners are more convenient then a single room air conditioner such as a wall or window unit AC. Central air conditioners are quieter, more efficient, less obtrusive, and are easy to use. If you are looking to replace an old AC unit, be sure that the outdoor unit and indoor unit are compatible. The best solution may be to buy a brand new system for maximum efficiency. It is important to make sure you hire a licensed and skilled AC tech to install your air conditioning system. An improperly installed HVAC system results in an inefficient system which makes it seem as if you never even replaced the old unit!
Hiring a licensed
air conditioning contractor will ensure that you buy the correct size unit for your home size and lifestyle. A unit that is the correct size for your home will be efficient and will keep your home cool. An AC that is too big will not be able to effectively reduce humidity in your home and can lead to more problems besides not feeling cool. A unit that is too small will not be able to keep up with your homes cooling demands on hot days.
When buying a central air conditioner buy the highest SEER number AC you can afford. The higher the SEER number the more efficient it is. More efficient units will be more costly but will save you more money long-term. Any air conditioner that has been manufactured before 2006 must have a SEER number of at least 13 according to new energy regulations. A fan only switch option can also be useful at night to keep air circulating while cutting down on energy costs. Keeping these things in mind when shopping for a new unit can save you 20-40% on your current energy bill.
After
replacing your AC unit, be sure to keep it cleaned and maintained routinely. Regularly getting your air conditioner serviced will keep it efficient and running for up to 15-20 years before it needs to be replaced.
