5 Tips for Buying an AC Unit
With spring here and summer approaching, you can expect a marked rise in temperature. While spring temperatures can often be comfortable and feel “just right,” once summer gets into full swing, the temperature indoors can get hot and uncomfortable.
For your comfort and the safety of pets, children, the elderly, and even electronics in your home, it’s important to maintain cooler temperatures indoors, and air conditioning is the best solution. If you’re buying an AC unit for the first time, or you haven’t been in the market for a while, what should you be looking for? How do you make sure that the AC unit you’re considering is the best one for your needs? We’ve got five great tips to help you out!
Decide on Coverage
From the start, you’ll need to make a big decision. Do you want full coverage of your entire building or partial coverage for select rooms? For example, if you want an entire home to be cooled, then you’ll likely need a centralized air conditioning solution. So, buying an AC unit that connects directly to an existing furnace and ventilation system will allow you to make use of the vents that already go into every room.
On the other hand, if you’ve just finished an attic, and you want to keep it cool but don’t want to add expensive new vents to that room, you can try a different option. A mini-split solution or even a window AC unit is a better fit to cool smaller or particular spaces.
Size Matters
Buying an AC unit is also about making sure that you get a model that suits the square footage of the space. Get a unit that’s too powerful, and you’re paying for electricity that you don’t need to be using every time the unit turns on. Get a unit that doesn’t put out enough power for the building, and it will work longer than it needs to, which results in higher electric bills as well.
To avoid missteps, get an experienced AC technician to evaluate the space you want air conditioning for. They will measure the square footage and then make a recommendation. You want the right unit for the right amount of space in order to treat the air effectively and manage your spending.
Think About Your Length of Stay
If you are upgrading your HVAC system because you’re getting ready to sell your property, you’ll want to buy an AC unit that makes your home attractive but doesn’t eat into potential profits. However, if you’ve just moved into a home for the long term, and you’re buying an AC unit, your priorities are different. You’ll want to consider efficiency, coverage, different types of models and technological advancements, trends, and of course, cost. The length of time you plan to stay in a home plays a role in how you decide to invest in your new AC unit.
Look at the Rest of Your Home
If you’re buying an AC unit that’s new, you’re likely to get a big boost in your cooling efficiency. But you can get an even bigger boost if your home itself is also more energy-efficient. Evaluate your windows, have your roof looked at, and see whether your walls or your roof would benefit from new insulation to prevent that cool air from leaking out.
You’d be surprised at how much more you can save if you get the rest of your home in shape for the summer and winter months.
Pick the Right Installer
The most important decision you can make after selecting and buying an AC unit is to install it professionally. Buying an AC unit with high efficiency will only benefit you if the installation is done correctly. If you hire the cheapest installer available and ignore a poor reputation or bad reviews, you may end up paying for that choice in the long run with higher energy bills than you should be paying.
Always make sure that the installer you hire is reputable, experienced, and willing to come to your home and evaluate it personally so that you get a custom solution. Contact us today, and we’ll be happy to provide you with a consultation and estimate so that you can decide how you want to cool your home this summer and enjoy both comfort and cost-efficiency.