3 Essential Factors to Consider When Buying an Air Conditioner

Your air conditioner is an indispensable piece of technology that is essential to your comfort during summer. Because it regulates your indoor temperature, you can perform your daily activities with ease. But AC units aren’t built to last a lifetime. At some point, they experience a decline in performance and cause trouble to you and your family. Not only does a poorly performing cooling system fails to make you comfortable, but it also wastes a lot of energy in the process. As a result, you receive an exorbitant energy bill without having your expectations met.

There are times when simple cleaning or filter replacement fixes the problem. However, if your air conditioner is ten years old or so, it may be time to start looking for a replacement. Trying to keep up with an old, inefficient unit does more harm than good. If you’re stuck in this scenario, you might want to start shopping for a new air conditioner.

Four Seasons Air Specialists is your leading HVAC company in Grant MN. We offer an array of energy-efficient air conditioners that deliver unparalleled comfort. Read on to find out what to consider when searching for your next AC.

Efficiency Rating

Some people might think that the air conditioner having the highest seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating is the best unit. That is not always the case. SEER is how the efficiency of an AC is examined. While a higher SEER rating means that it’s more efficient than one that has a lower SEER rating, but other factors like region, size, and design of the house should also be taken into consideration.

The government demands a minimum SEER rating of 13 for all newly installed air conditioners. These systems are likely more efficient than the old one you have. In the distant past, old AC models were rated at about 6 SEER. On the other hand, the most energy-efficient models today can go as high as 28 SEER.

Right Sizing

As mentioned earlier, several other factors need to be taken into consideration when picking the right AC for your home, one of which is sizing. Not many homeowners pay attention to proper AC sizing, but this is a critical part of choosing the ideal system for your home. Failure to include this factor will result in issues.

If the AC is oversized, your AC will turn on and off too soon. Since the unit is too large for your home, it will quickly cool down your house, then immediately shut off, which will cause a significant increase in your energy costs.

Though you’ll be saving some money on the initial cost, but investing in an undersized air conditioner will present its own sets of problems. Since it does not have enough cooling power, it will fail to provide the proper temperatures to keep you comfortably cool. The system will work harder and stay on for longer than it was designed to, which results in the same issues as an oversized AC. To make things worse, an AC that’s too small will have an abbreviated lifespan because it is forced to work under duress.

Therefore, it is vitally important that you choose the right sized air conditioner for your home.

Your Future Plans

Do you intend to grow old in your current home? Believe it or not, this can also be a factor when buying a new AC. There are several air conditioner brands, models, and SEER ratings, which makes choosing one quite challenging. When you buy a top-of-the-line model, be prepared to pay top dollar. Top AC models that will save you money in the long run also offer tax rebates, allowing you to get some of your money back from the government. But still, buying such an energy-efficient unit will only make sense if you desire to stay in your home long enough to recoup the initial investment costs.

Work Only with an Accredited Contractor

Choosing the right contractor is as important as the three factors we just discussed. To make sure you are working with the right company, look for someone who has the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification like our professionals at Four Seasons Air Specialists. Our technicians undergo special training and education to make sure they meet quality and service standards. They possess the knowledge and skills needed to perform a proper Mahtomedi AC repair and installation.