Purchasing an AC Unit For House That Is Energy Efficient
When you are looking to purchase an air conditioner for your home you should choose one that is energy efficient. The higher the SEER, the more energy is saved. This will reduce energy costs and extend the lifespan of your unit.
The four major types of air conditioners are: window units, central AC heat pumps and ductless systems.
Size
The size of your AC unit can have a big impact on the amount of energy you consume. It’s important to be patient when selecting the best unit. It is essential to ensure that the new air conditioner is a good fit for your home. A unit that isn’t the right size will be too big to cool your home, or won’t work at all. This could cost you money. A qualified HVAC contractor can assist you in determining the proper size unit for your home.
There are many factors that determine the size of your AC unit. Some of them are obvious, like the square footage. Certain factors aren’t so obvious, such as the number of heating appliances or technologies in your home. This is because these appliances produce a lot of heat that your AC has to handle.
It is also important to take into consideration the climate of your area as well as the type of building materials you have employed. Certain types of materials reflect and absorb heat differently, which could affect the size of your air conditioning unit. Also, you should think about how well your home is insulated as well as the number of doors and windows you have. Some are designed to let a lot of heat in and may require you to use an even larger AC unit.
It is only by weighing all of these elements that you can make a precise decision on the best AC unit for your house. A chart of square footage will give you an idea. However, a manual J load calculator performed by a professional is the best way to determine what size AC unit you need.
Once you know the tonnage you have, you can select a model that is more suitable. However, you should note that if you’ve made changes to your home in the time since the last time you replaced your air conditioner, it’s possible you’ll require more capacity for the new area.
Energy Efficiency
When shopping for an AC unit, don’t think that more tonnage is better. A bigger unit will cool your home quicker but it will cost you more in energy costs and wear out prematurely. A well-maintained AC unit that is the right size will efficiently cool your home and run for a longer time.
Air conditioning units are rated according to their BTUs, or British Thermal Units. The higher the rating the more efficient the unit is. There’s also an SEER rating, also known as Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, on the unit. A lower SEER rating means a less efficient AC.
The size of your AC unit is mostly determined by the size of your home. There are also other factors to take into consideration. The number of windows in your home and the orientation of them towards the sun could affect the amount of heat transferred to your home. The level of insulation in your home will also affect the quality of your home. Insulation is crucial because it prevents cold air from leaving as swiftly.
When choosing an AC unit, it’s crucial to take into account the lifestyle of your family and their habits. For instance, those who often open their windows and doors will require their AC more often than a family that keeps them closed. It is also possible to look into tax credits for energy-efficient models. These discounts can lower the cost of purchasing a new air conditioner. Furthermore, a modern model is likely to be more efficient in energy use than an older model.
Noise
When your air conditioner is working well, it should only make a light humming sound when it’s operating. Any other sounds could signal problems in your unit that need to be fixed right away like a buzzing sound or even an erupting sound after the system has shut off.
A buzzing sound when your air conditioner is on can be caused by various issues, but it’s important to check it out in the earliest time possible to prevent further damage from occurring to the unit. For instance the sound could be an indication that it’s time to change your air filter and is a simple and quick job that doesn’t require a specialist.
It’s possible that the fan is obstructed in the event that your air conditioner makes an eerie sound when it’s turned on. It could be due debris or dirt getting stuck in the unit. A damaged blade or loose parts can also cause the fan’s rotation to shake. It is important to inspect the inside of your unit for these kinds of problems, as they can result in a damaged compressor.
Another common AC issue is when it produces whining noise when running. It could be that the ducts have not been properly sealed. This allows cold air to escape while allowing warm air to enter. This can also be caused by holes or cracks in the ducts that require to be repaired as soon as possible.
A leak in refrigerant is typically the cause of a hissing noise that is heard from your air conditioning. The hissing sound happens when the refrigerant flows from the high pressure side of the system to the lower pressure side, using an instrument for metering that has a small orifice. While the hissing sound isn’t a major issue but it’s a good idea to have it checked by an HVAC technician in case of. It could be costly to correct this issue so don’t overlook it.
Maintenance
It is important to keep your air conditioner, whether it’s new or old. A certified professional will give the unit an overall inspection, and this will help you identify small issues before they turn into larger ones. They will examine the voltage of your unit, inspect and clean the ductwork, coils and vents, test for the proper refrigerant levels and clean the drain line. They will also grease your thermostat, blower motor and replace the filter if needed.
Uneven room temperature, inability to start the system, or the loud and squeaky sound are all indications that it requires attention. It might be time to replace your system, particularly if you’ve noticed an increase in your energy bills.
A well-maintained AC unit will last longer than one that’s neglected and will save you many dollars on your energy bills over the years. Making sure you are keeping up with maintenance tasks like replacing the filters regularly cleaning and wiping the unit outside, and keeping it free of dust will allow you to get the most years from your AC unit.
It’s important to keep the area around the unit free of any debris, such as leaves, twigs and cobwebs that can restrict airflow. You can also hose down the fins and coils of the outdoor unit to keep it in good condition. Use a garden hose, not a pressure-washer that could harm the parts of the unit.
Some AC companies offer maintenance contracts that buy customers regular maintenance checks twice a year and lower prices on accessories and parts. These can be an excellent option when you don’t have the time to maintain your own equipment, or if you’d like to have peace of mind knowing that a trained technician is monitoring your system. Many contractors also give priority service to customers of contract whenever a problem arises. It isn’t necessary to wait long to get an air conditioning emergency repair. A reputable contractor will provide you with a detailed report of their findings, and offer suggestions for upgrades or repairs.
