Do you have questions about central air conditioning units? Do you want to find out what is myth and what is fact when it comes to cooling your home? Are you looking for a knowledgeable, dependable company that carries, installs, and services the best air conditioning brands?
We at Hamilton Home Comfort can help.
FAQs On Air Conditioners
When it comes to air conditioners, what does SEER mean?
SEER refers to the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio of the unit you select. Think of it as the cooling output of your air conditioner compared to the energy required to run the unit. The higher the SEER, the better.
What are the best air conditioner brands?
At Hamilton Home Comfort, we carry three of the best air conditioner brands on the market: York, Goodman, and Lennox.
What are some of the best models of air conditioners?
The York LX Series split system air conditioners fit your needs with efficient models that reduce your utility bills. Coil options include an advanced MicroChannel coil for a smaller footprint—vital for our environment—and a proven tube-in-fin coil with enhanced aluminum fins mechanically bonded to copper tubing. Like other York air conditioners, they are tested in the company’s accelerated-wear test facility and are optimized for Canadian and Northern US climates.
The York YCG unit has up to a 17 SEER and saves 41 cents per dollar versus the older 10 SEER system. There are single- and three-phase models available. The MicroChannel Coil, made from an improved alloy, gives better performance in a smaller space.
Both the Goodman GSX13 R-410A and GSX16 R-410A air conditioners are constructed with sound-dampening features to ensure that your cooling system doesn’t interfere with a restful sleep or your day-to-day activities. The GSX16 R-410A has a higher SEER rating and will save you even more money than units with a lower SEER.
One of the most energy-efficient systems on the market, the Lennox XC25 air conditioner has been referred to as “the finest variable-capacity air conditioner that Lennox makes.” This ultra-quiet system can be controlled from your laptop, tablet, or smartphone with the use of iComfort® s30 technology. This unit is also solar-ready. The future is now!
The Lennox XC21 air conditioner also comes with iComfort®-enabled technology to make use of the programmable iComfort WiFi touchscreen thermostat. This unit has a SEER of up to 21 and a 10-year limited warranty on the covered components, including the compressor. It saves customers over 50 percent of the cost of an air conditioner with a SEER of 10.
The Lennox XC20 Elite® has a SEER of up to 20 and a sound level as low as 65 dB. The unit comes with a 10-year limited warranty on the compressor, a 5-year limited warranty on the covered components. Plus, it may also be eligible for an additional 10-year limited extended warranty with product registration.
Why buy a high end air conditioner?
Higher end models have a higher SEER rating, which is good for the environment—and for lowering your monthly utilities bills as compared to units with a lower SEER rating.
While it’s important to get an air conditioner with a high SEER rating, you’ll also want to purchase a unit that has a low dB level. Many high end air conditioners have a rating of 60-65 dB, the approximate decibel level of normal conversation.
Units with programmable thermostats also help you save more energy—and money—by allowing you to set the thermostat at a higher temperature when no one is going to be at home. No more using the energy to keep the house cool when no one is benefitting from it.
Many high end air conditioners can be controlled from your phone, tablet, or laptop. Convenience at your fingertips.
Typically, these models come with the best warranties available, giving you peace of mind that the manufacturers stand behind their products.
Not sure which air conditioner is best for you? Check out our article on 2022 Best Air Conditioners to help you decide!
When should I consider replacing my air conditioner?
If your air conditioning system is more than 10 years old, it may be time to replace it. Older models typically need servicing more often, don’t function as efficiently, and may use freon, which is harmful to the environment.
Plus, if you have a newer model that is not operating as it should, call Hamilton Home Comfort to discuss your options.
Facts & Myths
Window units are just as good.
If you’re only interested in keeping one room cool, a window air conditioner may seem like your best option. However, this is rarely the case. If you share your home with others, they, too, will want to be cool and comfortable. Even if you live on your own, you won’t want to be confined to a single room in your house on hot days. Plus, the noise of the window air conditioner going off and on during the night may very well disturb your sleep. For some, even the constant noise of the unit set to keep the fan running all night can affect their restfulness. And aesthetically speaking, a unit outside your home is much more appealing.
The only benefit of installing a central air conditioning system is to keep your home cool.
While keeping your home cool and comfortable may be your primary reason for installing central air conditioning, this is not the only benefit. Far from it!
There are no health benefits to installing central air.
A well-maintained, high end air conditioner can reduce the allergens in the air as well as create an inhospitable environment for insects and parasites. Asthmatics will breathe easier. Allergy sufferers will find relief. And everyone can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from living in a home where insects and parasites can’t thrive.
People may benefit, but air conditioning will have no effect on your pets.
Just like people, pets—particularly cats, dogs, rabbits, etc.—don’t do well if they get overheated. Unbearably hot days can drain your energy and leave you lethargic. The same is true of your pets. Plus, insects and parasites can be particularly problematic for your furry friends.
You might as well keep the temperature constant.
There’s no need to keep your home at the same temperature day in and day out, especially if the house is empty for hours each day. Many newer units have programmable thermostats, some you can access from your phone, tablet, or laptop. Programming the unit to keep your home at a slightly higher temperature when everyone is out of the house and then lowering the temperature shortly before people get home saves energy and money while still keeping you cool.
Air conditioning does little to increase the value of your home.
If you’ve chosen the right size system for your home—one that cuts down on the strain on the environment, of increasing concern to a growing number of people, and your utility expenses—your home will be much more valuable to future buyers.
As long as your unit is cooling the air in your home, there’s no need to have it serviced.
If everything seems to be working as it should, you may be tempted to forego regular service appointments for your air conditioning system. However, if you want to keep it running at optimal efficiency and avoid costly repairs, it’s important to follow our suggested appointment schedule. Plus, the validity of your warranty may depend on keeping up with these appointments.
Think you might be ready for a service? Check out our article on Signs Your Air Conditioner Isn’t Working Properly!
Having an air conditioning system installed is not worth the expense.
A high end air conditioner will require a significant financial investment. However, it is just that, an investment. Replacing an older unit with a newer, more efficient one will have many benefits, including reducing your utility bills. As discussed, it will also increase the value of your home. Plus, it’s difficult to put a price tag on the benefits noted in this article—as well as the additional benefits of installing the best air conditioning system for your needs.
Local Air Conditioner Installers
It’s easy to forget, in the midst of an Ontario winter, that the heat and humidity of summer can become almost unbearable. Now is the perfect time for home AC installation and replacement, before the snow flies once again. You’ll be able to better enjoy the remaining hot, humid days, sleep more comfortably, and breathe more easily. Plus, you’ll be ready when the temperatures begin to climb once again next year.
If you live in Hamilton, Ancaster, Burlington, Beamsville, Binbrook, Grimsby, Stoney Creek, Waterdown, or Milton, Hamilton Home Comfort can provide all your air conditioning needs, including helping you select the best high-end air conditioner for your needs.
Whether you’re in the market for your first central air conditioning system or are considering replacing your air conditioner… Whether you’re looking for air conditioning service, an air conditioner repair company, or an air conditioning replacement company… Contact us at 905-643-0981 or hamiltonhomecomfort@live.ca or visit us at 335 Fruitland Rd, Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada.
Hamilton Home Comfort has over twenty-five years of experience in installation, repair, and servicing of air conditioners, residential furnaces, fireplaces, and outdoor heating and BBQ units. We take the utmost pride in providing outstanding service to each of our customers.
Contact us today!