Three Things to Consider When Buying an Air Conditioner

Air Conditioners, shmair conditioners. Back in my day, we didn’t even have air conditioning. At least, that’s what my parents have often said. But the reality is that most homes have some form of air conditioning, and central air conditioning is becoming commonplace. We have come to expect cool air when we walk inside a building, and we anticipate it will continuously be there when we want it to. So what factors should you consider when you are thinking of buying an air conditioner? Purchasing an air conditioner is a big deal, not only due to the expense but also because it is expected to keep you, your family, and your home at comfortable temperatures, even on the hottest days.

Since this purchase is such a “big deal,” I’ve come up with a few factors you should consider when looking into an air conditioner.

Company

It is essential to choose the proper heating and cooling company for your new air conditioner and its installation because they are the people who will be with you every step of the way. Most heating and cooling companies only carry certain air conditioners or furnaces brands. Therefore you may want to look into what brands the company sells and whether or not those are good makes. Also, see if you can find reviews about the company you are working with or ask around and see if anybody you know has used them to find out whether or not they are a good, reputable company. It is good to see how qualified a company’s technicians are. If somebody is installing a large unit inside and outside your home, you want to ensure that they know what they are doing. You could ask how long a technician has been doing this type of work, or you could see what kinds of certifications they hold. NATE (North American Technician Excellence) is one of the highest HVAC technician certifications. Along these lines, knowing about all a company’s employees is good. When buying an air conditioner, you will work with more than just the installer. You will speak on the phone with somebody to set up an appointment and meet with a consultant to decide what kind of air conditioner would be right for you. When interacting with these employees, see if they are polite and courteous, and you can always ask and see whether or not all of the employees are drug tested.

Size

Size is critical when investing in an air conditioner. The only reason that I’d say that the company is a little more substantial is that it is the company that will help you discover the correct size, and you want to be sure that you are dealing with people you can trust when it comes to the size of your air conditioner. Why is size so important? Well, think of Goldilocks. She wasn’t happy until she found something “just right” and not too big or small. An air conditioner that is too big for your home is wasteful because you do not need to be cooling enough air for an 8-bedroom house when yours is four bedrooms. If you are a bit frugal, you may be tempted to purchase a smaller air conditioner (lower bills and my kids don’t need cool air in their bedrooms, right?), but don’t be fooled. A small air conditioner could cost you more and waste energy because it may still try to work to cool down your whole home, but it will have to work much harder and expend more energy than one that is meant for your size of home.

Efficiency

This is the age of green living, organic foods, and energy efficiency. It is time to jump on that bandwagon with your air conditioner because it is not only better for the earth but also better for you. You can find the efficiency level of an air conditioner by looking at its SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) number. A higher number means that it is more efficient. 20 is one of the highest SEER ratings, and the U.S. government now requires that air conditioners be manufactured with a SEER rating of 13 or above. Unfortunately, often, the higher the SEER number, the higher the price of the air conditioner. However, you will save much more money on your utility bills.

I know that during a heat wave, I count on my air conditioner and the cool air and comfort it delivers me. Even though our grandparents may scoff at us for how much it is used nowadays, it typically is a part of our lives (at least every once in a while), so you should not take buying one lightly. I hope that these tips have helped you, and happy hunting!

If you have any questions or want more information about various air conditioners or the process of buying one, feel free to contact or schedule an appointment with FLAME Heating, Cooling, and Electrical. We will be more than happy to help you.

Some Information found at:

Wikipedia:  The Free Encyclopedia:  Seasonal energy efficiency ratio

Bryant:  Central Air Conditioners