The Alpharetta-based heating and cooling experts at Gagne discuss what to look for when on the market for a new central air system.
It’s bound to happen at some point: your A/C is going to reach the day that it flat out quits, or it is no longer reasonable to repair it. When it’s time to buy a new air conditioner, a lot of factors can come into play including economics, brand reputation, and energy efficiency.
If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed about what factors are most important when choosing an A/C, read on for the three factors to consider when looking for a new central air system.
Air Handling Capacity
The size of your air conditioner matters, and bigger isn’t always better. You want the right sized central air system for your home. An air conditioner that is oversized for your home can mean that the space cools off too quickly before it properly dehumidifies your home, leading to stuffy feeling air and humidity problems. A small system will always have to work too hard to keep up with your cooling demands.
You shouldn’t assume that you’ll need the same size air conditioner that you had the last time. If you’ve made any additions to your home, or if you’ve done any energy upgrades to your home (…like adding insulation or replacing windows), then your heating and cooling load will likely be different. You don’t need to worry about calculating your home’s load, but you should be aware that this calculation determines the size system you need. A professional central air contractor will share load calculations with you. If a contractor is trying to sell you on a bigger system than you think your home needs though, look for a second opinion.
SEER Rating
If it’s been a while since you bought an air conditioner (and hopefully it has), you might be surprised to find that the modern world of central air systems is all about energy efficiency. The energy efficiency of an air conditioner is rated in an easy to recognize number called the SEER rating. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and the higher an A/C’s SEER rating, the more energy efficient the system is. According to the Energy Department, older air conditioners had a SEER of around 6. Compare that with new models like the Carrier Infinity Heat Pump that has a SEER rating of 20.5. That means this new A/C could be up to 50 percent more efficient than an A/C manufactured in the 1970s.
Brand Name and Contractor
When it comes to buying a product that you’re going to affect your daily life for years to come, it just doesn’t pay to buy an inferior product to save money. At Gagne Heating and Cooling, we specialize in Carrier products. In case you didn’t know, the Carrier Corporation has been around since Willis Carrier invented air conditioning 100 years ago. These products have a reputation for both reliability as well as cutting edge central A/C technology, like high SEER ratings.
Our Alpharetta-based HVAC contractors and technicians at Gagne Heating and Air take our professionalism seriously. That’s why we work with the North Atlantic Technician Excellence (NATE) certification board to ensure that our technicians are properly trained for the work at hand.
At Gagne, we are here to serve you; beyond highly trained technicians and superior products, we also have available financing options so you’re not left in the heat if your air gives out before your wallet was ready.
If you’re in the market for a new air conditioner or heat pump, call Alpharetta central air experts at Gagne A/C today to schedule a consultation.
