Shopping For A New Air Conditioner? Read This Guide

With the vast array of new air conditioners available on the market, choosing the best one for your home can be a tall order. While there are many nice features you may want to try, you shouldn't lose sight of the most important aspects of your AC installation.

Here are the main things to consider when exploring your AC options.

AC Type 

The first thing you should understand before making an AC purchase decision is that not all air conditioners are created equal. Many different types of air conditioning systems are available to match the requirements of different users.

As a homeowner, you can choose from window air conditioners, portable units, mini-splits, central air conditioners, reverse cycle air conditioners, hybrid systems, and more. Each type of air conditioner has its own unique features and pros and cons that influence its suitability for use in your home.

For example, a portable air conditioner is ideal if you can't afford to install an air conditioner in every room of your home and want to keep whichever room you're in cool.

AC Size

Air conditioners are not one-size-fits-all products. They come in different sizes to match varying cooling needs. 

When AC professionals talk about an AC system's size, they're not referring to its physical dimensions. They usually mean the amount of cooling output it can deliver to a particular room per unit of time.

The larger the square footage of space you wish to cool, the larger the operating capacity of your AC should be. Several factors other than the size of your residential space affect your AC sizing.

These include:

• The type of insulation you have in your home
• The size and placement of your windows and doors 
• Your local climate
• The number of people living inside the home
• Daily household activities 

Proper cooling load calculations are essential to choosing the correct AC size for your home. A smaller AC unit won't cool your home effectively and efficiently, while an oversized one will waste precious energy due to the unnecessary cooling capacity.

AC Efficiency

If you're concerned about the cost of operating your new air conditioning system, you should prioritize its energy efficiency. Most AC manufacturers provide this information online or in their product packaging.

Before deciding to purchase a particular air conditioning system, make sure it meets your energy requirements. A high-efficiency system might be relatively expensive to buy, but it can pay for itself in the long run.

Purchasing a new air conditioner for your home requires careful consideration to make the best decision. If you feel you can't make the decision alone, an HVAC specialist can always help.

Contact a professional to learn more about choosing a new air conditioner.