Purchasing a New Air Conditioner
57Ah, air conditioning... it’s something we often take for granted. That is, until it breaks. Purchasing a new air conditioner can be a bit intimidating not only because of the large price tag but also because it’s not a purchase we often make or have ever made. Therefore, we may not have a lot of knowledge on how to shop.
The first question should be if it is absolutely necessary to replace your air conditioner. Some more obvious reasons are that the unit or system is simply not doing the job by keeping your home cool and comfortable. Some other indicators may be your energy bill. If it is very high or if the AC had just recently been repaired only to break again, it most likely needs to be replaced. If your unit is more then 10 years old it may be time to upgrade to a more efficient unit especially if a costly repair is needed.
Depending on your budget and living space, you need to decide what type of air conditioner best suites your space. There are a number of different unit-type air conditioners that typically keep a single room cool. Different unit-type air conditioners include: window, split, portable, and through-the-wall. These all come in different shapes and sizes which means they suit different types of spaces. They are also each installed in different ways. The larger the space, the larger the AC unit will have to be. Small air conditioners keep areas of 300 square feet or less cool. A mid-sized air conditioner will cool a room 300-400 square feet. Finally, a large AC will cool a room up to 650 square feet. It is very important to make sure you buy a unit that is not too small nor too large for your space as it can result in inefficiency and a high electric bill. The second thing to look for in a unit are the extra features. Digital displays are more accurate then air conditioners with knob settings. Units may also have a timer which can come in handy when you aren’t home. The ability to direct airflow can also help to direct the cool air into the center of a room. This allows even cooling of the room. Keep in mind when buying a larger unit, it can be more difficult to install. Air conditioners are bulky and can be very heavy. You may need to get help from a friend or hire an air conditioning contractor to install it for you.
If you already have a central air system in your home and a unit-type AC isn’t for you, you will need to contact a few air conditioning contractors to perform an analysis on your home to determine what size AC is best. Before deciding on an AC company to do the analysis and install, get a few quotes to compare. Resources such as the Better Business Bureau can help you determine if a certain company has had a lot of customer complaints and help guide your decision. Finally, as with any contractor you hire, make sure they are licensed, bonded, and insured.
As far as cost, there will be quite a difference depending on if your home has central air or not. Replacing a large unit or units for a central air system will run between $3,000 and $10,000 and that’s just for the air conditioner. Need duct work? That’s another $6,000+. Don’t forget your labor cost as well. The good news is that although this is a large purchase, it’s actually an investment. You will notice quite a bit of savings on your energy bill and it is possible to recoup the cost in just a few years. For example, upgrading from a 10 SEER AC to a 20 SEER AC, could cut your energy bill in half! Another way to save a bit of cash would be to purchase an air conditioner in the spring when the demand is not as high. There will also be a better selection to choose from. Unfortunately, if find your AC breaking down in the summer, you may not have a choice. You can also check with your local utility company to see if they provide any rebates towards high efficiency air conditioners. If you do not have central air and all you need is a stand alone unit, it costs much less, usually ranging in price from $100-$600 depending on the size and type.
When purchasing an air conditioner, big brands are king. They typically have a better track record and a better warranty. The most important acronyms to pay attention to when choosing an AC will be SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) and BTUs (British Thermal Units per Hour). The SEER number is a rating indicating how efficient the appliance is. The larger the number the more efficient (and money saving) it is. Obviously, the higher the SEER number, the higher the price tag. Remember, you will recoup the cost of the air conditioner more quickly even if you have to pay more for the higher SEER number. In fact, the lowest SEER number you are allowed to have according to federal regulation is 13. This was implemented back in 2006. A good range to buy in is between 14 and 22. Another good calculation to keep in mind is that for every 0.1 of the SEER number, you can save 1% on your energy bill!
The number of BTU’s indicate how powerful the AC is. The number you need for your home should be included in the home analysis report from your AC contractor. The amount of power needed from your AC depends on a variety of things such as occupancy, electronics and other heat sources, insulation, windows and doors, number of levels, and even how much sunlight shines in to your home.
Now that you have a wealth of knowledge on buying an air conditioner, hopefully the whole process seems a little less intimidating. Don’t forget, once your new AC is purchased and installed, keep it maintained by scheduling routine inspections and cleanings to keep it running efficiently. In the end you will save more money and your air conditioner will last much longer.
