Purchasing an AC Unit For House That Is Energy Efficient
When purchasing an ac unit for your house you need one that is energy efficient. The greater the SEER, the more energy is saved. This will save you money on energy costs and will also extend the life span of your unit.
The four main kinds of air conditioners include: window units central AC heat pumps and ductless systems.
Size
The size of an AC unit can make a big difference in how much you spend on energy costs. It is important to be patient when choosing the right unit. You need to be sure that the new air conditioner is appropriate for your home. A unit that isn’t the right size will be too large to cool your home or won’t work at all. This will cost you money. A professional HVAC contractor can assist you in determining the proper size unit for your house.
There are a variety of factors that go into determining the proper size of an AC unit for your home. Some of these factors are obvious, like the area. Other factors are not as evident, like the amount of technology that generates heat or appliances in your home. This is because these devices produce a lot heat that your AC must handle.
It is also important to take into consideration the climate of your area, as well as the kind of building materials you have used. Some materials reflect heat and absorb it in different ways, which could impact the size of your air conditioner. You also need to consider whether your home is insulated and the number of windows and doors you have. Some of these are designed to let plenty of heat through and might require that you use a bigger AC unit.
Incorporating all of these aspects into account is the only method to make an accurate decision regarding the right AC unit for your home. You can make use of a square footage chart to get a rough idea however the most effective method to determine the size of AC you need is to get a manual J load calculation done by a professional.
Once you have the tonnage of your AC unit identified and you are able to shop for a model that is more specific. You may need to increase the tonnage of your air conditioner if you’ve made some changes to your house since you last replaced it.
Energy Efficiency
When shopping for an AC unit, don’t believe that more tonnage is better. A larger unit can chill a home faster, but at the cost of higher energy costs and premature wear. A well-maintained AC unit of the proper size will efficiently cool your home and last longer.
British Thermal Units (BTUs) are used to evaluate air conditioning units. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit is. On the unit, you’ll see an SEER rating or a Seasonal Efficiency Ratio. A lower SEER rating means an inefficient AC.
The square footage of your home is one of the main factors in determining the size of your air conditioner. There are also other factors to consider. The amount of windows in your home and the orientation of them towards the sun can affect the quantity of heat transferred to your home. The level of insulation in your home will also affect the quality of your home. Insulation is particularly important because it prevents cold air from escaping your home at a rapid rate.
When choosing an AC unit, you need to take into account the lifestyle of your family and their habits. For example, people who often open their windows and doors will need to use their AC more frequently than a household that keeps the doors and windows closed. It is also possible to look into tax credits for energy-efficient models. These discounts can reduce the cost of purchasing a new air conditioner. A newer unit will also be more efficient than a unit that is older.
Noise
If your air conditioner functions properly, it will produce a sound that hums when it’s running. If you hear any other sounds that aren’t, it could be a sign the unit isn’t functioning properly.
A ringing sound that occurs when your air conditioner is running can be a result of various problems, but it’s crucial to get it checked out as soon as possible to prevent further damage from being caused to the unit. For instance, the sound can be an indication that it’s time for a change in your air filter and is a simple and quick task to perform which doesn’t require the assistance of a professional.
It’s possible that the fan is obstructed if your air conditioner makes the sound of a rattle when it’s turned on. This can be caused by dirt or debris that’s stuck inside the unit or by a damaged blade or loose components that can cause the fan to rumble as it spins. Examine the inside of the unit to see if there are any of these issues. They could cause a compressor to fail.
A whining sound is a frequent AC problem. It could be because the ducts are not properly sealed. This allows cold air to escape while allowing warm air to enter. This could be due to cracks and holes in the ducts that need to be repaired as soon as possible.
If you hear a sound of hissing coming from your air conditioner, it’s because there is a leak in the refrigerant. The hissing noise occurs when refrigerant is transferred from the high-pressure end of the system to the lower pressure side through a metering unit with a small opening. Even though the hissing sound is not a major problem it is a good idea to have an HVAC technician check it out just in the event of. This issue can be costly to repair, so it’s best not to ignore it.
Maintenance
If you own a brand new or older air conditioner, it’s essential to ensure that you are keeping up with maintenance. A qualified professional can provide an in-depth inspection of your unit. This will allow you to identify small problems before they grow into larger ones. They will test your unit’s voltage, clean and inspect the ductwork, coils, and vents. They will also test the refrigerant level and clear the drain pipe. They will also lubricate your blower motor, thermostat and replace the filter if necessary.
Uneven room temperature or inability to turn on the system, or making loud and squeaky sounds are all indications that it requires attention. It could be time to replace your system, particularly when you’ve noticed a rise in your energy bills.
A well-maintained AC unit will last much longer than one that is neglected and you’ll save many dollars on your energy bills over the course of time. Maintaining your unit will ensure that it lasts as long as it can. This includes changing filters regularly cleaning and wiping the unit down outside and keeping the unit free of debris.
In addition to regular maintenance, it’s advisable to trim back any foliage around the unit and keep the area free of twigs, leaves, cobwebs and other debris that can block the airflow. You can also wash the fins and coils of the outdoor unit to keep it clean. Just be sure to use a standard garden hose and not a pressure washer that could damage the unit’s components.
Some AC companies offer maintenance contracts that provide customers with regular maintenance checks twice a year and lower costs on parts and accessories. These are an excellent option for those who don’t have the time or the skills to maintain your equipment yourself, or you want peace of assurance that a technician is monitoring your system. Some contractors also offer priority service to customers who contract with them when there is a problem. This means you don’t need to wait for long to receive an emergency repair in the case of your air cooling. A reliable contractor will provide an in-depth report on their findings, and make recommendations for upgrades or repairs.
