ARTICLES

HOW THE PROS DETERMINE THE BEST AIR CONDITIONER FOR YOUR HOME

JUL 19, 2017

Whether you are building a new home or replacing an existing unit, HVAC systems are a major investment and it stands to reason that you would want to buy the best air conditioner for your home. Professional air conditioning installation is paramount and consulting with a reputable HVAC technician will ensure that you get a properly sized air conditioner to make sure your investment is sound. Inaccurately sized air conditioners can cause a number of headaches ranging from energy inefficiency and discomfort in your home, weird noises while the air conditioner is operating and, ultimately, even assuming you practice proper maintenance, an incorrectly sized air conditioner will break down before its time, costing you thousands of dollars much sooner than if you had the best air conditioner for your home and it lasted its entire expected lifetime.

PICKING THE BEST AIR CONDITIONER

SIZE

HVAC professionals consider a number of factors when determining which size will be the best air conditioner for your home.

Air conditioners have to work a whole lot harder in warmer climates — it is just that simple. So here in the Phoenix area (where temperatures can get to 120℉ in the summertime), we rely on air conditioners disproportionately and for a much bigger chunk of the year than our neighbors to the north or in higher elevations. This is one of the first things a professional will have in mind when assessing what the best air conditioner will be for your home.

Additionally, the square footage and layout of your home will play a large role in determining which size of the air conditioner is right for you. For example, if you have a 2,000 square foot home, the best air conditioner for you will probably be somewhere between four and five tons, depending on the other factors impacting the workload your new air conditioner will be working under.

For example, you already know that insulation and air sealing can have a huge impact on your energy bills. So, as you have probably guessed, it will also have an impact on what exactly is required of your new AC unit and which size would be the best air conditioner for your home. You should also consider whether or not your home could use any upgrades in insulation or changes you can make to better seal it. Many homeowners choose to undertake this at the same time they are getting a new air conditioner. Talk to a professional to discuss the potential for your home’s upgrades and what effect you should expect it having on your home’s size requirements for an air conditioner.

Another thing to consider is the location of your air conditioner. We are not talking about the physical space available for the air conditioner, but rather, where the unit is physically located on your property. Newer homes more often than not have the unit placed on the ground. While this does not completely guard against the elements, it certainly provides more protection than rooftop units. In Phoenix, the extremely hot temperatures we have already mentioned can wreak havoc, with the sun constantly beating down. With our hot summers here also comes monsoon season. The wind, rain, hail and so on can also punish a rooftop unit. Be sure to check the durability and construction quality if your home is need of a new air conditioner on the roof.

Finally, the physical space that an air conditioning unit takes up may also play a role in which will be the best air conditioner for you. If you live on an exceptionally small piece of property or your home is situated on the lot in a way that makes it difficult to place a large unit, you will want a professional to help you weigh pros and cons as well as to talk through potential solutions (such as multiple air conditioning units or a rooftop unit) to find a workable situation for you and your family.

SPLIT AIR CONDITIONING VS. PACKAGED SYSTEM

Split air conditioning systems are those in which there are two separate cabinets — one indoors and one outdoors. One cabinet will hold the condenser and compressor while the other houses the evaporator as well as your HVAC’s furnace. In contrast, a packaged air conditioning system (AKA, rooftop system) houses all of the air conditioner’s components in a single cabinet.

So which will be the best for your home? It totally depends on a number of factors, including the age of your home. Typically, split air conditioning is the way to go because of its superior energy efficiency. However, lack of appropriate space is one reason people turn to the packaged system, Additionally, split air conditioning is usually more expensive to install for a variety of reasons, and depending on where in your house the indoor cabinet will go (like in an attic or crawlspace). Split air conditioning also needs to be charged with refrigerant after installation, which further increases the cost of installation. Only a professional who is familiar with your home and your specific situation will be able to speak directly to what the best air conditioner system will be for you and your home, but most people can expect to save enough money over the course of a split air conditioning system’s lifetime to make up for the higher upfront costs. Split systems are much more common in hot areas such as Phoenix, Many folks love to work in their garages or small shops, but the temperatures in the summers make it unbearable, Choosing a split system, or even a mini-split system for your garage is a good way to keep those smaller spaces cool.

If you want more information about picking the best air conditioner for your home based on your central air conditioning needs, be sure to contact us today. All of our work is guaranteed and our decades of service in the Phoenix area means that we are exceptionally equipped to answer all of your questions and make solid recommendations to ensure you purchase an air conditioning that will fulfill all of your needs.