Purchasing an AC Unit For House That Is Energy Efficient
You’ll want an energy-efficient AC unit when you purchase one for your home. The higher the SEER rating the more energy it will save. This will save you money in energy costs and lengthen the life of your unit.
The four primary kinds of air conditioners are: window units, central AC, heat pumps, and ductless systems.
Size
The size of the size of your AC unit can have a big impact on how much energy you consume. Choosing the right unit isn’t something you should rush through. You need to ensure that the new air conditioner is the correct size for your home. If it’s not properly sized, it will either be too heavy to keep your home cool or will fail to complete the task in the first place, which will cost you money. A qualified HVAC contractor can assist you in choosing the right size unit for your home.
There are a variety of factors that determine the size of your AC unit. Some of these factors are obvious, like the area. Other aspects aren’t so obvious, such as the amount of technology that generates heat or appliances in your home. These appliances generate a lot of heat that your AC must deal with.
It’s also important to consider the climate in your area as well as the type of building materials you’ve employed. Certain types of materials reflect and absorb heat differently, which can affect the size of your air conditioning unit. Also, you should think about how well your home is insulated, as well as the number of windows and doors you have. Some of these are designed to let lots of heat into the house and will require a larger AC unit.
It is only by weighing all of these elements that you can make an accurate decision about the best AC unit for your house. You can make use of a square footage chart to get an idea of the general size however the most effective method to determine the size of AC you need is to use a manual J load calculation done by a professional.
Once you know the capacity of your AC system determined then you can search for a specific model. You may need to increase the power of your air conditioner if you’ve made some changes to your house since the last time you replaced it.
Energy Efficiency
Don’t think that more tonnage is better when you are shopping for an AC unit. A larger unit will cool your home quicker, but it will cost you more in energy bills and wear prematurely. A well-maintained AC unit that’s the right size will efficiently cool your home and last for a longer time.
Air conditioning units are evaluated by their BTUs, or British Thermal Units. The higher the rating the more efficient the unit is. You’ll also notice a SEER rating, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio on the unit. A lower score indicates a less efficient AC.
The size of your air conditioner is largely determined by the size of your house. However, there are other factors which play a part in the same way. The number of windows in your home, as well as their orientation towards the sun can affect the quantity of heat transferred to your home. Your home’s level of insulation will also have an impact. Insulation is crucial because it stops cold air from venting at the same speed.
It’s also important to think about the habits of your family and lifestyle when deciding on an AC unit. If you leave your windows and doors open will need to use AC more often than those who close them. It is also possible to look into tax credits for energy-efficient models. These discounts can significantly cut the cost of buying a new air conditioner. A newer model will also be more efficient than a unit that is older.
Noise
When your air conditioner is working well, it will make a slight humming sound when it’s operating. If you hear other sounds that aren’t, it could be a sign that your unit is malfunctioning.
A sound that is loud when your air conditioner is running could be the result of many different issues, but it’s essential to get it checked out as soon as possible to avoid further damage occurring to your unit. For example the sound could be an indication that it’s time to change your air filter and is a simple and quick task to perform which doesn’t require the assistance of a professional.
If your air conditioner is making a loud rumbling sound when it’s turned on, it may be due to an obstruction in the fan. It could be due to dirt or debris that’s stuck within the unit or by a damaged blade or loose components that could cause the fan to shake as it spins. It’s important to check the inside of your unit for these kinds of issues, since they can lead to a broken compressor.
A whining sound is a frequent AC problem. This can be because the ducts haven’t been properly sealed and allow cold air to escape and warm air to enter. This can be caused by cracks and holes in ducts, which need to be repaired as soon as possible.
If you hear a sound of hissing emanating from your air conditioner, it’s usually because there is a refrigerant leak. The hissing sound is caused by the refrigerant is moved from the high pressure side of the system to the low pressure side, through an instrument for metering that has a small orifice. Although the sound of hissing isn’t an issue, it’s always good to have it checked by an HVAC technician just in case. This problem can be expensive to fix, so it’s best not to ignore it.
Maintenance
It is important to keep your air conditioner, no matter if it is new or old. A qualified professional can provide your unit a thorough inspection. This will allow you to identify small problems before they turn into bigger ones. They will test the voltage of your unit, examine and clean the ductwork, coils and vents, test for the proper refrigerant levels and clean the drain line. They will also grease your thermostat, blower motor and replace the filter as needed.
Uneven room temperature and inability to start the system, or noisy and squeaky sounds are all signs that it requires attention. It’s probably the time to upgrade your system, especially if you’ve noticed an increase in your energy bills.
A well-maintained AC will last longer and will save you money over time. Making sure you are keeping up with maintenance tasks like changing the filters regularly cleaning and wiping the unit outside, and keeping it free of dust will ensure that you get the most years out of your ac unit.
It is important to keep the area around the unit free of debris like leaves, twigs, and cobwebs, which could hinder airflow. You can also wash the fins and coils of the outdoor unit to keep it clean. Use a garden hose, not a pressure washer that could damage the components of the unit.
Certain AC specialists provide maintenance contracts that buy customers twice-yearly maintenance inspections and reduced rates on parts and accessories. They can be a great choice if you do not have the time to maintain your own equipment, or if you’d like the peace of mind of knowing that a trained technician is monitoring your system. A lot of contractors offer priority service to contract customers when there is a problem. This means you don’t be waiting long for an emergency repair when it comes to your air conditioning. A reliable contractor will provide an in-depth report of their findings, and make suggestions for repairs or upgrades.
