What you need to know about air conditioning
Air conditioning is one of those amenities easy to take for granted if you have it. On a hot, humid summer afternoon, easy to yearn for if you don't. No matter how wonderful the home, convenient the design, or splendid the view, it will all be useless if you are not comfortable.
Adding an Air 1 Heating cooling system is one of the smartest investments you can make for your home. The right cooling system, installed the right way, brings a new level of comfort to your summer living. But the wrong system can bring you frustration and lead to high operating and maintenance costs.
Air conditioning does more than cool the air, it also “conditions” the air by removing dust and dirt as the air is drawn through a filter. Air conditioning also lowers the humidity, making the air more comfortable. Because an air conditioner is such a sizable investment, you can save money and energy by carefully purchasing and operating your air conditioner.
Adding an Air 1 Heating cooling system is one of the smartest investments you can make for your home. The right cooling system, installed the right way, brings a new level of comfort to your summer living. But the wrong system can bring you frustration and lead to high operating and maintenance costs.
Air conditioning does more than cool the air, it also “conditions” the air by removing dust and dirt as the air is drawn through a filter. Air conditioning also lowers the humidity, making the air more comfortable. Because an air conditioner is such a sizable investment, you can save money and energy by carefully purchasing and operating your air conditioner.
Size
A bigger air conditioner is not always better. A unit that is too large will not cool an area uniformly, and could cool an area too quickly, causing the air conditioner to frequently turn on and off, wasting electricity and money. Also, it will not run long enough to reduce humidity, so instead of feeling comfortable, the air will feel cold and clammy at the normal thermostat setting. Whereas a unit that is too small will run constantly on hot days and still not be able to cool the area adequately.
In sizing an air conditioner for your home, Air 1 Heating considers many variables, including the dimensions of the areas to be cooled, how the areas are used, the size of your household, your frequency of using heat-producing appliances, and summer humidity levels.
A bigger air conditioner is not always better. A unit that is too large will not cool an area uniformly, and could cool an area too quickly, causing the air conditioner to frequently turn on and off, wasting electricity and money. Also, it will not run long enough to reduce humidity, so instead of feeling comfortable, the air will feel cold and clammy at the normal thermostat setting. Whereas a unit that is too small will run constantly on hot days and still not be able to cool the area adequately.
In sizing an air conditioner for your home, Air 1 Heating considers many variables, including the dimensions of the areas to be cooled, how the areas are used, the size of your household, your frequency of using heat-producing appliances, and summer humidity levels.
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Efficiency
When deciding between air conditioners with similar features, capacities, and prices, energy efficiency should be the deciding factor. Energy efficient units may be higher priced, but cost less to operate, and can return back the extra initial cost many times during their lifetime. The SEER rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) is the BTU (British Thermal Unit) of cooling output during a typical cooling-season divided by the total electric energy input in watt-hours (W-h) during the same period. This is expressed by the formula: SEER = BTU ÷ W-h. The higher the SEER rating of a unit, the more energy efficient it is. Considerable energy savings can be obtained from more efficient systems. For example by upgrading from a SEER 9 to SEER 13 system, the power consumption is reduced by 30%. This can result in a substantial annual energy savings depending on your usage rate and the cost of electricity. |
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Installation
Having a properly engineered and carefully installed system is very important. An air conditioner installed improperly, such as the ducts not properly insulated, will waste energy, even one with a very high efficiency rating.
Cost
When comparing different installation estimates on their cost consider the following. There are four costs that make up the total cost of owning and operating an air conditioning system.
Having a properly engineered and carefully installed system is very important. An air conditioner installed improperly, such as the ducts not properly insulated, will waste energy, even one with a very high efficiency rating.
Cost
When comparing different installation estimates on their cost consider the following. There are four costs that make up the total cost of owning and operating an air conditioning system.
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Initial Investment: Without being properly informed, it is easy to look at the initial cost on estimates you have been provided and just choose an installer based on it. However, what actually needs to be considered is the lifetime cost of the system, as this deciding factor will cost you more money in the end.
Operating Cost: The operating cost of the system is what you will be paying to the utility company for the next ten or more years. Here are some of the items that will affect your operating cost:
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Many homeowners for example assume choosing a 13 SEER air conditioning system results in a 13 SEER system installed. This is not always the case. It would be fairly easy for a contractor to install 13 SEER equipment, but deliver a 10 SEER system. Numerous areas affect the system during installation. Is the refrigerant copper properly sized? Is the refrigerant copper soldered so it does not leak? Is the refrigerant charge exactly correct? Is the air properly filtered? Are there any air leaks in the ductwork? Is the ductwork properly sized?
Repair and Maintenance Cost: Many of the areas that affect the operating cost also affect the repair and maintenance cost. The experience and skill level of the installers play a large part in the repair and maintenance cost. An example is an installer that allows dirt and moisture to get into the open refrigerant piping; this can result later in a failed compressor.
Future Replacement Cost: Any air conditioning system, regardless of the equipment chosen and how well it is installed, will eventually need to be replaced. The difference, of course, is how long the system will operate before needing replacement. For example, a system properly engineered and carefully installed may last for 15 years, whereas another system may last only nine years.
Repair and Maintenance Cost: Many of the areas that affect the operating cost also affect the repair and maintenance cost. The experience and skill level of the installers play a large part in the repair and maintenance cost. An example is an installer that allows dirt and moisture to get into the open refrigerant piping; this can result later in a failed compressor.
Future Replacement Cost: Any air conditioning system, regardless of the equipment chosen and how well it is installed, will eventually need to be replaced. The difference, of course, is how long the system will operate before needing replacement. For example, a system properly engineered and carefully installed may last for 15 years, whereas another system may last only nine years.
Air 1 Heating has installed hundreds of central air systems in homes throughout Puget Sound. With our skilled technicians, exceptional service, and reasonable prices, our company and its employees are committed to your satisfaction.
Adding air conditioning to your home can be a good investment, make it a great one with a system from Air 1 Heating. A good night’s sleep is just a phone call away.
Call us today at 253.227.5433 to arrange for a no-obligation evaluation of your cooling needs and a FREE estimate.
Adding air conditioning to your home can be a good investment, make it a great one with a system from Air 1 Heating. A good night’s sleep is just a phone call away.
Call us today at 253.227.5433 to arrange for a no-obligation evaluation of your cooling needs and a FREE estimate.