One of the most important and expensive appliances for your home is your HVAC system. When the time comes for air conditioner replacement, you have many options to choose from. Luckily, there are a few simple tips that will help ensure that you get the right heating/cooling system for your home.
Size and Cooling Capacity for Your Home
The first thing you need to know is how large an area your system needs to heat or cool. Additionally, you should consider what the cooling capacity of a room is. You can measure each room or look at the square footage and blueprints of your home. Consider which rooms will be used the most and which ones will require more or less cooling or heating due to their placement in the home. If your system is too large or too small, it will not be as energy efficient as it should be. If you already have a system in place, then you might be able to look for a replacement of a similar size and capacity.
Energy Efficiency
The second important aspect you should look at when searching for an air conditioning replacement is the efficiency of the system. You want to purchase the most energy efficient system for your home, as this will save you money in the long run and is best for the environment. You can look at the SAAR ratings to compare the efficacy of the heating/cooling system. The higher the number, the more energy efficient it is. Not only will it save money on operating costs through using less electricity, a more efficient system will perform better when extreme temperatures hit.
Consider the Local Climate
When you are searching for a new air conditioning or heating system, you should consider the local climate. If you live in an area that never gets above 85 degrees, then you may not need air conditioning. Alternatively, if your climate never drops below 70, you might not need heating. If you have extreme temperatures, like we do here in Tampa Florida with very hot and humid Summers and sometimes freezing temps in the winter, you will need a system that can handle both extremes. Even if some systems seem to be better in general, you should always look for the system that will handle your local climate the best. Not only will it keep you more comfortable, it will be the more energy efficient option.
Consider the Quality of the System
There are many important parts of both heating and air conditioning units. You want to ensure that you get high quality parts, especially in the most important areas. For example, for air conditioning replacement, you will want to make sure you get a good quality condenser because it performs a major part of the work when reducing the air temperature. For heating units, you should consider what type of furnace or heater you want. This can be a single stage, two stage or modulating system. The main difference is whether the furnace has multiple settings or not. For any central air, you want to ensure you have good quality ducts that are tightly sealed tightly.
Choosing the right heating/cooling system for you home can be difficult. However, with a little bit of research, you can make a more informed decision before purchasing your new system. Knowing the size and capacity you need, the efficiency you want, and the climate it will have to work in will help you make a more informed choice. Choosing the right air conditioning replacement system will ensure that you are able to enjoy many trouble-free years of operation. Call a licensed HVAC expert to consult you on the best type and size of unit for your needs.
