May 13, 2014

A new central air conditioning unit is a major expense for a homeowner, but often a necessary one.

Before jumping right in, talk with a qualified, local HVAC company to help you choose the right air conditioner for your home and to install it properly. There comes a time when you need to begin to weigh whether you want to continue paying costly repairs on an old central air conditioner or if you should have it replaced. Discuss your options with your trusted HVAC company to decide what is best for your home. If your air conditioner is an older model, the cost of a new one will pay for itself over time in the savings you will see on your electricity bill.

Choosing the Correct Size For Your Home

Once you decide that a new central air conditioner is right for your home, you need to have your HVAC tech do a heat gain calculation to ensure that it is the correct size for your home. Bigger is not better in this situation. You will want one that is designed to cool off the precise size of your home. When deciding on the model look only for those that have the Energy Star approval rating. This lets you know that the air conditioner has been tested for energy efficiency. Once you and your HVAC technician have decided on the right one for your home, you can start preparing for the installation.

Checking Your Homes Overall Efficiency

This is a good time to take a hard look at your home’s overall efficiency. Check your windows to make sure they are double-paned. If not, you can install blinds or heavy drapes over them to help keep your cold air from escaping. Make sure that the weather stripping around the windows and doors is also in good condition. If you notice any cracks, they can easily be filled from products you will find at any home improvement store. You should also make sure that unused spaces, such as an attic, are heavily insulated.

Installing Central Air Conditioning

Your HVAC company should take care of the installation of your new air conditioning unit for you. This is not a do-it-yourself job. With a major investment like this, you want assurance that it is done right. The added benefit of having competent air conditioning installers do the job is the work as well as the equipment will be under warranty. Knowing that there is someone to call who will come out and fix any problem will give you peace of mind in your purchase.

Even though the unit is new, you will still want to have scheduled maintenance visits. Even if the only thing they have to do is clean the new unit, this goes a long way towards keeping the appliance in good working condition. Call Scott-Lee Heating Company at (314) 200-0788. We will be happy to help you with all of your air conditioning needs from start to finish.

Photo credit: Ben+Sam via Flickr