A new air conditioning system is a big investment so you have to consider several important factors before making your final decision. To help you make a smart choice, we’ve got seven tips on buying a new air conditioner for your home.

Buying a new air conditioner for your home

1. Choose an EXPERT that you can trust

Of course, no one wants to be taken advantage of so finding someone you can trust is important. Spend time and do some research before choosing a contractor. Watch out if someone you talk to says that the size of your unit should be based solely on your home’s floor area. That’s a red flag. Experts should calculate how much cooling a home needs according to proper industry (or manufacturer) guidelines.

An expert should go around your house, take measurements in each room and ask you questions. An air conditioning expert will measure the floors, ceilings, and walls—including all the windows—and check insulation in the attic, walls, and crawlspaces. Also, take note of other factors that go into the cooling load formula: indoor and outdoor temperatures, number of occupants, shading, and roof color. Also consider where the contractor wants to place the unit.  Ideally the unit should be on the north or east side of your home, away from direct sunlight.

2. Ask your contractor for a copy of the cooling load calculations

Why do you need this info? Because you can use this to compare bids from other contractors. Question the contractor if the calculations don’t include all the items I mentioned above.  Remember, it’s important to compare apples to apples.  Don’t hesitate to ask about anything that you don’t understand.  You’ll be using your new air conditioning system for years to come so you want to be cautious and choose wisely.

3. Consider heat-load calculation

Heat-load calculation is important in determining the right size of your air conditioning system. Ask the contractor to size the air conditioner based on the latent cooling load (which considers the humidity of the air) as well as the sensible cooling load (which considers the temperature of the air) for your home. Stay away from contractors who suggest increasing tons because of warmer areas in your house. Increasing the capacity of your air conditioning system won’t solve that. An oversized air conditioning system will stop and start frequently resulting to more kilowatt-hours and even mechanical breakdowns.

4. Consider more than just the price

Don’t be tempted by the lowest price. Be willing to pay for the time an expert contractor will invest to get the job done correctly.  A job well done is more important than paying less. Also, consider any guarantees since reputable contractors will often guarantee parts and labor for 5 or more years.

5. Have your duct work thoroughly inspected

Ask the contractor to check for duct leaks and disconnected ducts.  Study’s show that your air conditioning system could lose as much as 33% of its cooling and heating capacity due to leaky air ducts. You may need to reseal or reconnect ducts. Also, be sure airflow is not restricted by ducts that are crushed or too small for the system. Ideally, the contractor should use diagnostic equipment to find leaks and then fix them with quality duct sealants (not duct tape.)

 6. Look for the ENERGY STAR label

Your new air conditioning system should have the Energy Star label. The efficiency of Energy Star products is 20% better than those that only meet the minimum federal standards.  The SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) of an Energy Star air conditioning system ranges from 13 to 21. Federal law requires new air conditioning systems to have a SEER of 13 or higher. A higher SEER means a more efficient unit.

7. Consider future maintenance

Just like a car, your unit will need to be serviced regularly.  The inside coil of your new air conditioning system should be easily reached for cleaning. The coil should be cleaned every two years. There should also be easy access to the air filter because you have clean it or change it whenever it is dirty. Check it every month during the summer.

Have more questions about choosing the right air conditioner for your home?  Leave a question below or call us at 216.663.6462