Buying a new air conditioner for your home is major investment, and the choice you make will impact your comfort and household energy costs for the next 10 to 15 years. Keeping the following factors in mind when you’re shopping for an air conditioner can help you make a wise purchasing decision:
- Energy efficiency — Air conditioner efficiency is rated using a numerical seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER), and the minimum efficiency available is 13 SEER. Higher-rated units cost more, but you can recoup the extra cost in energy savings over the equipment’s lifespan. If you’re replacing an older 10 SEER A/C, you can expect energy savings of 21 percent with a 13 SEER, or 42 percent with a 16 SEER unit.
- Beneficial features — Air conditioners available today offer a number of efficiency and comfort-boosting features worth considering, such as two-stage compressors and variable-speed air handlers. Other beneficial features include a check-filter light, a fan-only switch that lets you use the blower for air circulation, or an automatic-delay switch that keeps the fan running briefly after the compressor cycles off.
- Accurate equipment sizing and quality installation — Your contractor needs to size your new A/C using Manual J calculations. If the equipment is too large or too small, it can’t cool and dehumidify your home effectively, and you’ll lose out on comfort and energy savings. A poor installation job can impact efficiency and comfort as well, or even void the equipment manufacturer’s warranty.
- Rebates and tax credits — Ask your HVAC contractor about the rebates and tax credits currently available for different equipment options. You may qualify for a federal tax credit if you purchase Energy Star-certified equipment, or a graduated rebate based on the SEER rating of your new A/C.
If you plan to buy a new air conditioner and need expert advice, contact the Dayton comfort pros at Ace Hardware Home Services.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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