If your air conditioner is getting old, breaks down frequently, or you have a case of rising energy bills in the summer, it may be time to get a new air conditioner.
Buying a new AC may look like a tough job, but it can be easy with help from a professional HVAC Company in Colorado Springs, CO. With that in mind, we are presenting a short guide on all the important factors you should consider in your search for a new AC.
What Type of Air Conditioner Do You Want?
The first thing to consider is the type of AC you should buy. There are two main options here; a split air conditioner and a packaged air conditioner.
- A split air conditioner has two main components. There is a smaller and flatter evaporator unit that absorbs heat inside your home. There is also a larger, external condenser system that releases heat. The refrigerant travels between the two units through a conduit. A split air conditioner is more efficient and allows you to cool specific areas/rooms within your home.
- In a packaged system, all the components are installed on a larger unit that is placed outside the home. Cool air is produced inside the air conditioner and blown into the home through a network of connected ductwork. The packaged AC is used for cooling the entire building and tends to be cheaper and aesthetically pleasing as you don’t need to install anything indoors.
Should You Buy a Heat Pump?
A heat pump offers more versatility in temperature control. During the summer, it functions like a traditional air conditioner and cools your home. During the winter, the heat pump’s function is reversed. It generates heat that is released indoors to keep your home warm.
The heat pump has a furnace that is designed to automatically kick in when the temperature outdoors is too cold for the heat pump to function effectively.
A traditional air conditioner can only move air in one direction. A heat pump is designed with inner valves that allow air to change the direction of flow. This makes heat pumps ideal for areas that have extreme differences in temperature during summer and winter.
What About Energy Efficiency?
If you are concerned about utility bills, then the efficiency of your air conditioner is also important to consider. Most ACs are assigned a Seasons Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) which is labeled on the model.
A high SEER means higher cooling efficiency. Your AC will provide good cooling even if it consumes little power. SEER tells you the AC’s cooling capacity per hour relative to the total power used for cooling, as measured over a season.
The average SEER for a 120V unit is around 15. A unit with SEER above 18 is very energy-efficient while units close to 22 SEER are some of the most efficient air conditioners you’ll find in the market today.
If you have more questions or need further guidance, then get in touch with Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning. We are a professional AC installation, maintenance, and repair company serving Colorado Springs and the surrounding area.
