Young Woman holding Magnifying Glass
Central air conditioning is a hefty investment for any homeowner to make, which is why it’s essential to pick a system that fits your needs for a minimum of the next five to ten years. Everything from the type of duct insulation to the size of your central air system should be considered when you’re browsing the market.
Here’s a quick list to ensure that you have all your bases covered when it comes to your next central heat and air system.
1. Consider the Size
The size of your central air conditioner determines how effectively it can cool and heat the air that circulates within your home. A unit that’s too small won’t be able to keep up with the cooling demand that sweltering days bring, but a system that’s too large may be a waste of money.
The best way to ensure that your prospective air system will meet your needs it to allow a skilled HVAC professional to do load calculations, which will help determine how much air you’ll need to cool to maintain optimal temperatures in your home.
2. Ability to Control Moisture
When there’s too much moisture in your home’s air, you may feel sweaty or sticky even when the temperature is low enough that you should feel comfortable. Different central air systems will have varying abilities to remove moisture.
For example, central air systems that are too large for your home won’t have enough time to dehumidify the air. This is yet another reason to find the perfect size unit for your home.
3. Energy Efficiency
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating will help you determine how energy-efficient a central air system is.
For an idea on how important SEER ratings are, units manufactured before 2006 can have SEER ratings of 6 or lower. New central air models tend to have SEER ratings of about 14 to 15, which means that they use about 80% less energy compared to older models.
4. Noise
Nobody wants to deal with a noisy air conditioning unit that startles everyone when it turns on. When looking for a new central air system, ensure that you pick one that operates quietly.
5. Extra Features
The previous four points are the basic things you need to search for in your central air system. While many central air systems offer additional features, these shouldn’t be taken as things that your system has to have. They should complement a solid system with features that you find useful.
Some of the things you should look for include a thermal expansion valve, a filter check light, energy-saving features and other cost-saving options.
Making the Best Investment
A central air conditioner for your home is a heavy investment. Ensure that your prospective systems measures up to your expectations to be sure you’re purchasing the system that will work the best for you and your home.