How to Choose a Central A/C Unit
When building a new home or updating an old home, it's important to select the right air conditioning (A/C) unit. Window air conditioners are common, but they usually only provide cooling benefits to a portion of a house. Portable air conditioners are becoming more common, but they, too, only cool a portion of a house. Central air conditioning units, however, can effectively cool an entire house. Additionally, central air conditioning units can increase the resale value of a home. By following a few simple guidelines, you can select the right air conditioning unit for your needs. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Determine the type of central air conditioning unit that is best for your home. There are two primary types: split systems and packaged units. A split system consists of two containers: an outdoor container and an indoor container. The outdoor container houses the condenser and compressor. The indoor container houses the furnace and heat pump. Split systems are good for homes that currently have an inside furnace. A packaged unit consists of one container that houses the condenser, compressor, furnace and heat pump. Packaged units are often used for large homes or for commercial buildings
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Review the energy-efficiency footprint. The energy-efficiency footprint indicates how efficiently an air conditioning unit uses electricity. Less efficient units use more electricity. Conversely, highly efficient units consume less electricity. The highest-quality models can be up to 30 percent more efficient than low-quality models.
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Determine your cooling requirements by the square foot, and select a central air conditioning unit capable of cooling up to 5 percent more than your home's total square footage. The extra cooling power ensures your central air conditioning unit will cool the entire house, even on hot days.
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Select a central air conditioner with a high-seasonal energy-efficiency ratio (SEER). High-quality air conditioners have higher SEERs. The minimum SEER allowed by law is 13, but there are models with much higher SEER ratings.
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Check if the central air conditioning unit you want has a thermal-expansion valve. A thermal-expansion valve increase an air conditioner's ability to operate effectively during high temperatures.
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Determine how quiet the central air conditioning unit is by asking the sales representative to allow you to listen to the air conditioner while it runs.
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Determine if the central air conditioner has a time-delay feature. Time delays maximize cooling times and save you money. For instance, air conditioners with time delays can be programmed to start cooling right before you get home from work then turn off right before you leave for work the next morning. During the day, when the temperature is the hottest and when no one is home, the air conditioner will remain on standby. Consequently, it won't waste energy. Just before you return home, it will turn on, and your home will be cool for you when you arrive.
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Compare prices, and make sure the air conditioner is within your budget. By shopping around, you can usually save up to 20 percent on identical models.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure that whoever installs your central air conditioning unit locates the thermostat away from heat sources that could affect how the thermostat interprets how hot the temperature is.
If possible, build a shaded cover for your central air conditioner. Central air conditioners that operate in the shade use less energy than those that work in direct sunlight.
