Replacing Your Central Air Conditioner – Three Factors To Consider
A cooling system is one of the biggest investments you can make for your Maryland home, so it pays to do your homework when it comes time to replace or add a new one to yours.
Here are three of the most important factors to consider when you’re ready to take the plunge and buy a new central air conditioning system:
- Size – The size of the air conditioner you need is contingent on the “cooling load” of your home, which depends on factors that range from the size and style of your home to the amount of insulation you’ve installed.
However complicated the right-sizing process is, it’s worth the effort, because it can lower bills by as much as 35 percent and extend the life of your equipment. Buy a system that’s too small for your living space and it will overwork and break down prematurely; buy one too large and it will cycle (turn on and off) too often, with the same end result.
While there are rules of thumb for estimating the size of A/C unit your home needs, nothing beats bringing in a professional for a proper evaluation – especially when an A/C estimate is FREE.
- Efficiency – SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) measures how efficiently your A/C uses energy to make cold air over the course of a home cooling season (SEER is a lot like MPG for your car: the higher the rating, the more efficient your A/C is). The federal minimum for SEER rating in most of the US, including Maryland, is 13. Most of the central air conditioning units we sell have SEER ratings that range from 15 to 18.
You’ll pay more for a higher SEER unit – about 10 percent for every 1-point increase, all other things being equal. But that investment could really pay off, especially if you use your air conditioning often.
A key point to remember, however, is that SEER doesn’t take into account other efficiency wasters such as leaky ductwork, under-insulation, or inadequate routine maintenance. Proper installation is also a big factor in determining the efficiency of your system.
- Rebates and specials – Manufacturer’s rebates and federal and state incentives on high-efficiency equipment can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a new A/C. Contact Carroll today to learn more about current specials and rebates available on a new system for your home.
Contact us today for a FREE estimate on a central air conditioner for your home – or to service or repair your current system!
