Now that the sizzling summer heat is almost upon us, our thoughts turn to flipping the switch on our air conditioners to keep us cool and dry. While it’s almost unheard of for most homeowners not to have some sort of air conditioning system, they can differ greatly in terms of size and efficiency.
Every expert out there will tell you that heating and cooling accounts for almost 50% of the expenses in an average home. Therefore, running an efficient system in order to reduce your energy costs and save money becomes a top priority for many people.
You should make informed decisions about your home’s (HVAC) system and these practical tips can have a big effect on your comfort and utility bills.
Changing Over
If your old system is breaking down more often than it should and you have to make a decision whether to repair or replace, you will find that newer units are far more energy efficient over time. The cost of the new unit will likely be mitigated by lower monthly energy bills.
You should always consider installing ENERGY STAR qualified heating and cooling equipment because, depending where you live, replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with ENERGY STAR qualified equipment can cut your annual energy bill by more than $200.
Which Unit is Best to Save Money?
When looking for the best unit that will cool your home, keep it dry and save on energy bills here are a few key things to consider:
Efficiency
The SEER Rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is an efficiency rating used for air conditioning units. Basically, the higher the SEER rating, the more efficient it is. But the higher the SEER rating, the higher the cost as well, so you’ll want to do some math to see how long it will take to recoup your investment. Your HVAC professional can help with that.
Size
Size is the key factor in choosing the right AC unit for your home.
Why Size Matters
- A correctly sized air conditioner should run a proper full cycle to ensure that your home stays cooler longer.
- An oversized AC is inefficient because the system will overcool too quickly and shut off too soon. It will run for too short a time and often cost too much for its operation.
- An undersized system will not effectively cool your entire home. The unit will run continuously, waste energy and wind up costing you more money.
There are certain factors that help you determine what you need. They are:
- Total volume of your home’s living space
- Area of sun-exposed exterior walls
- Number, age, condition and orientation of windows
- Amount of sunshine on your home, (trees or open space)
- Age of your home and insulation throughout
- Your existing ventilation system and ductwork
Be Informed
We know buying an air conditioning is one of the most expensive conveniences you can have in your home, which unit you ultimately install should be determined by being informed and talking to experts. For help making your decision, contact us today to discuss your upcoming cooling project.
