Choosing an Air Conditioning System
Choosing an Air Conditioning System
Selecting an air conditioner for your home is a big decision. It’s an
important investment today. It will play a key role in your home energy
expenses for years to come. And when the summer heat is at its worst,
you’ll want your family to have the best, most reliable cooling comfort
possible. Here are a few things to consider.
What do good central air units have in common?
How can I be sure my Unit is the right size?
Which air conditioners are energy efficient?
Are some air conditioners built better than others?
What should I look for in a contractor?
What do good central air units have in common?
The best ones are efficient, operating on minimal electricity to hold
utility bills down. They provide steady, dependable performance year
after year when properly maintained. Good systems are quiet,
long-lasting and low in service needs.
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How can I be sure my Unit is the right size?
Obviously, an air conditioner that’s too small won’t keep your home
sufficiently cool. But what many don’t realize is that an oversized
system will cycle (turn on and off) more than necessary, wasting
expensive energy and possibly putting undue strain on the compressor.
A good contractor will determine the optimum size for your home by
making a careful study of your cooling requirements. Window dimensions
and exposure. Floor space, insulation and local climate.
Heat-generating appliances. The direction your home faces. Even the
amount of your home’s exterior shaded by trees.
He’ll specify the cooling capacity of the system in either Btu/h
(British thermal units of heat removed per hour) or refrigeration tons
(one ton being equal to 12,000 Btu/h).
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Which air conditioners are energy efficient?
Much like automobile manufacturers, today’s air conditioner
manufacturers are required by law to evaluate and rate their equipment
according to its energy efficiency. This rating is known in the
industry as a SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The higher the
SEER, the more efficient the equipment.
Most new homes with central air come equipped with a standard builder’s
model. However, when replacement becomes necessary, property owners can
upgrade their air conditioning by specifying a more energy-efficient
system.
The Rheem Prestige Series™ High Efficiency model, for example, has a
SEER of 18.00, among the highest available. It’s significantly higher
than today’s standard models, many of which carry SEER’s of at least 13.
High SEER models are generally more expensive, but can easily make up
the difference by reducing your home energy bills over the long run.
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Are some air conditioners built better than others?
The compressor is the heart of a condensing unit. On a hot day, it
works long and hard. Rheem installs the highly advanced scroll
compressor in every Rheem condensing unit we produce. Scroll Compressors
are recognized by the industry as the leader in reliability, efficiency
and quiet operation.
Other features to look for include louvered steel cabinets that protect the coils from damage and expensive repair bills.
Also, with some condensing units, the fan can be another source of
bothersome noise. Rheem units have a grill design that minimizes air
restriction for quieter fan operation.
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What should I look for in a contractor?
Dependability. Look for a contractor you see in your community. You want
one who’s close by to provide you faster, more convenient service.
He should offer a recognized name brand. And he should have a
well-stocked inventory of replacement parts. You wouldn’t want to sit
out a mid-summer heat wave waiting for a simple repair!
One way to be sure you’ll get good service is to contact a neighborhood Rheem contractor.
Your local Rheem contractor is knowledgeable, dependable, and as good as
any you’ll find in the business. Give him a call or click here to find a
contractor near you.
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