What to Look For in a New A/C

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What to Look For in a New A/C

Buying a major appliance can be a daunting task. Even if you are familiar with your current unit, buying a new A/C can still be overwhelming. Below are some of the important factors to take into consideration.

SEER Rating

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) measures air conditioner and heat pump efficiency. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the unit. The SEER rating that you choose should take several factors into account:

  • The local climate: The cheapest model may not be a good choice if you live in a region with long, hot and humid summers
  • Cost: A unit with the highest SEER rating will be more expensive
  • Humidity: A higher SEER is recommended for humid regions

Energy Star

Energy Star products meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency. If the unit you are considering has an Energy Star label, it ensures that you are saving energy, money and our environment. These certified models have higher SEER ratings.

Size

It is important to choose the right size unit for your house. Air conditioner sizes are determined by tonnage, which is the amount of heat that the unit can remove from your house in one hour. One ton can remove 12,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units) of heat. How many tons you need depends on heat loads (for example, server rooms generate a lot of heat), the climate that you live in, size of your house, amount of insulation in your attic, orientation of the building (south and/or west facing are subjected to more heat), and the number of windows. All of these factors put together will determine the load calculation which tells you what size unit is right for your house.

Brand

Not all brands are created equally. Some brands offer higher technology and quality than others.

Looking for a new A/C?

Need help deciphering all of the information that you’ve gathered or don’t know where to even begin? Contact 1-800-anytyme via our contact form or call (760) 477-0072 to speak with a member of our team today. We would be happy to help you out!

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