The Guide to New Air Conditioning Installation

Time to replace your air conditioner.Installing a new air conditioner is definitely an expense you shouldn’t take on lightly, but you shouldn’t let the expense scare you, either. If you make a well-informed decision and replace your air conditioner at the right time, it won’t be wasted money but an investment in lower operating costs and higher comfort into the future.

Here’s everything to know about installing a new air conditioner.

Sizing

When choosing an air conditioner, getting the size right is the most important decision. Too small, and it won’t cool your home on hot days. Too large, and it will cycle too quickly, which leads to uneven cooling, high humidity, and parts wearing out sooner.

Don’t just rely on what you already have — your home may have been remodeled, had energy-efficiency improvements, or had a poorly sized air conditioner to begin with.

Start with rules of thumb based on your square footage to get you in the right ballpark, then work with an experienced contractor to make sure you account for things like sun exposure, appliance placement, and your home’s insulation.

Central vs. Ductless

Central vs Ductless cooling.For years, the gold standard in air conditioning was the central air conditioner. While central air conditioners are still a great way to keep your home comfortable, ductless air conditioners are gaining in popularity.

Ductless air conditioners have separate condensers and blowers for each room of your home. This lets you cool only the rooms you’re using and use less energy than you do when you’re cooling your entire home.

Ductless air conditioners also keep you from having to worry about things like leaky ducts or a hot attic heating up your air as it passes through your ducts.

Central air conditioners are generally cheaper to install, have less parts to maintain, and don’t require you to adjust the thermostat when you move from room to room. For more information on buying the right kind of central air conditioning and ductless air conditioning systems, give us a call: 302-416-4730.

Choosing a Model

Energy efficiency ratings.Once you know the size you need and system type you want, the last step is choosing a specific air conditioner model. One of the key differences between models is energy efficiency, and more efficient usually means more expensive. You can compare estimated operating costs to determine if the cost increase will pay for itself in energy savings.

Other available features include variable speed fans, indicators that let you know when to change the filter, and split zones. Of course, you’ll also want to look at things like noise levels, reliability, and the available warranty.

When to Replace Your Air Conditioner

You may be worried that an AC repair company will try to push you on an air conditioner you don’t need or you may be wondering if an increase in comfort is really worth the expense, but at the end of the day, deciding when to replace your air conditioner is almost like doing basic math.

Consider the following few factors:

Age of your current system: If your current air conditioner is older than 10 years old, it was probably built before federal regulations began requiring high minimum levels of energy efficiency. You may also be missing out on recent developments like the ability to handle a high-efficiency air filter, variable speed cooling, and more environmentally friendly refrigerant types.

Operating cost: New air conditioners should display their estimated annual operating cost. Have a HVAC professional visit your home to tailor that estimate to your home by taking into account your floor plan, insulation type, sun exposure, and other factors.Consider how much your air conditioning costs per year.They can also help you figure out what portion of your current electric bill came from air conditioner. Compare the difference in operating costs to the cost of the new air conditioner, and you’ll see how quickly you’ll start saving money by making the switch.

Repair costs: Another cost to consider is ongoing repair costs. If your air conditioner is only a few years old and just needs one repair, you’re probably best off making the repair and continuing to use it. Follow this air conditioner checklist to keep it running at optimal levels.

If your AC unit is older and you find you keep needing repairs, it’s time for a change. The repair costs are only going to keep adding up, and you’d be better off making a down payment on a new system you won’t have to keep repairing instead.

Just Remember…

The important factors in choosing a new air conditioning unit for your home are the sizing of the unit, whether you want central or ductless, and the energy efficiency of the model you choose. You want to make sure the unit will adequately cool your home and do so while saving you money on your energy bills.

Whether or not you want to replace your unit will depend not only on the age of your current unit, but also its current operating cost and how much it will cost to repair it over time. Small repairs should be no big deal, but if you’re looking at several hundred dollars worth, it might be a good idea to have the old unit replaced.

If you need any further help or advice on having your AC unit replaced or repaired, don’t hesitate to call a local professional to evaluate the situation and help you make the best decision for your home and budget.

Find out more about Enhanced Heating and Air Conditioning Services.

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