3 Important Tips on Buying a New Air Conditioner

So here you are. Your old conditioner just bid you goodbye; and summer is at its hottest. It can no longer be repaired because parts are getting harder and harder to find. You are left with no other choice than to get a new unit. But don’t worry. While buying a new air conditioner can be quite overwhelming, Four Seasons Air Specialists, your trusted HVAC company in Lino Lakes MN can make the search easier for you. Take a look at these simple tips to make your next air conditioner purchase a breeze.

Proper Size

When it comes to home comfort systems, size does matter. Well, in a different sense. If the unit is too large, it will consume too much energy and increase your cooling costs.  An oversized system also tends to short cycle, which is what causes the equipment to wear too soon. The more short cycling takes place, the shorter the life of the system.

Here’s what happens: when an air conditioner is too large, it turns itself on and off more frequently because it runs only for a short time to meet the thermostat settings. Then, only a few minutes later, it will turn itself on again to run for a short time, again. An oversized air conditioner shuts itself down and turns itself on more often than a properly sized unit. This results in more repair costs and a premature retirement of the system.

A properly sized system should only run in cycles that last approximately 15 to 20 minutes. During this cycle, the AC will start, provide the desired temperature, remove excess moisture, and turn off for a new minutes before the next cycle. On the other hand, when an air conditioner is undersized, it will never stop running in an attempt to keep you comfortable, which consumes more energy and increases your cooling costs. That’s because an AC that is too small doesn’t have enough power to get the room to the right temperature. As a result, you will never feel quite comfortable and similar to an oversized system, your AC is likely to fail earlier than when you installed a properly sized air conditioner.

Energy Efficiency

Air conditioners have gone a long way, thanks to technological advancements that allow manufacturers to design systems that are more energy-efficient. An air conditioner’s efficiency is measured by its Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating or SEER, which is an important factor when buying a new unit. It determines how well your unit will consume energy. The higher the SEER, the more energy-efficient the system is. While older models had an efficiency rating of about 6 SEER, new models offer a minimum of 13 SEER.

While air conditioners with higher SEER ratings cost more, their improved efficiency will result in greater comfort and lower energy bills, which should help recoup your initial investment cost.

Look for an air conditioner that is ENERGY STAR-qualified. This trusted, government-backed symbol for energy efficiency makes it easy for consumers to identify and purchase energy-efficient products that offer savings on energy bills without sacrificing performance, features, and comfort. ENERGY STAR-labeled air conditioners reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants caused by the inefficient use of energy. The systems meet or exceed EPA guidelines for energy efficiency.

Quality of Installation

Buying the most advanced, highest SEER-rated air conditioner doesn’t mean you made the best decision. In addition to energy efficiency and proper sizing, the quality of installation and the overall reputation of the contractor is an important factor to consider when getting a new AC system. Look for a contractor who offers detailed, room-by-room analysis of your air conditioning needs. Avoid dealing with someone who will give unclear estimates based on room size and the number of windows alone. A trusty contractor will give you a free estimate and will offer to visit your home to perform a load calculation. To cross-reference their claims, check their website or Facebook page and read customer reviews. A company with a good website should give you an idea of how the contractor deals with its customers as well as the quality of the systems they install. Also, check with the Better Business Bureau for complaint records. The last thing you would want is to deal with a contractor that is hard to work with when it comes to warranty claims or other complaints.

AC Installation in Lino Lakes, MN

If you are looking for a new air conditioner for your home, call Four Seasons Air Specialists. We have been in the HVAC business since 1974 and employing the best business practices, which allows us to win our customer’s trust and support. We are your preferred Lino Lakes AC installation company that aims to make your home a more comfortable place to live in.