| Hot weather got you thinking of buying a new air | | | | Get a professional to assess your system |
| conditioner? Is your current air conditioning system | | | | requirements |
| not cutting it anymore? If you have central air | | | | A professional installer is trained to consider various |
| conditioning, it may be time for an upgrade, or to | | | | factors that determine the right size of air |
| address some problems with your ventilation system. | | | | conditioning equipment to meet the specific needs of |
| Here's how to tell: | | | | your home - beyond square footage. Factors such as |
| Your current fan may be ineffective. | | | | the age of the house, its size, how many stories it |
| If your air conditioner is more than 10 years old, it is | | | | has, how well it's insulated, the number and quality of |
| likely working ineffectively and inefficiently, and should | | | | windows, and even local energy rates. They should |
| be replaced with a more energy-efficient model. | | | | use industry-standard "Manual J" and "Manual S" sizing |
| Older air conditioners typically mean higher energy | | | | calculations, however their years of experience can |
| bills. | | | | be used modify the results. They may take into |
| If your air conditioner needs frequent repairs it may | | | | account other factors such as the shade effect of |
| not be properly suited for your home. You need a | | | | trees or the positioning of the windows on the |
| heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) | | | | house, to further inform their recommendations. For |
| specialist to assess your current system. | | | | this reason it is best to get more than one opinion. |
| If your cooling bills continue to rise, your system may | | | | Once you know the proper size of air conditioning |
| be working inefficiently. Some of the cost of a new | | | | unit required for your home, you can compare |
| air conditioning system will be offset by lower energy | | | | different models for energy efficiency, price, |
| bills. | | | | warranties offered, quiet operation, etc. To compare |
| If some of the rooms in your home are either too | | | | energy efficiency, each system is given a Seasonal |
| hot or too cold, it could be your air conditioning | | | | Energy Efficiency Rating, or SEER (look for the |
| equipment malfunctioning or functioning inefficiently, | | | | yellow Energy Guide tag attached to each appliance). |
| or it could be a result of problems with your ducts or | | | | Go for SEER 13 or above |
| inadequate insulation. | | | | To keep it simple, the higher the SEER value, the |
| If you have problems with humidity, your air | | | | more energy-efficient is the system. Right now, a |
| conditioning equipment may be defective or | | | | SEER of 10 is the lowest rating of air conditioner |
| otherwise performing inadequately or you may have | | | | allowed to be sold by law. However, on January 26, |
| leaky ductwork, which can be corrected by a | | | | 2006, the law will change requiring a minimum |
| qualified HVAC contractor. | | | | mandatory SEER rating of 13. So for now you are still |
| If there is a lot of noise coming from your air | | | | able to purchase SEER 10, 11 and 12 air conditioners, |
| conditioning unit, there may be a problem with its | | | | but it is a good idea to buy at least SEER 13. Aside |
| indoor coil, or your duct system may be too small. | | | | from its better energy efficiency (i.e. lower cooling |
| For any of these scenarios, contact a local HVAC | | | | bills) and less damage to the environment, further |
| specialist for an assessment and recommendations. | | | | down the road you won't have the difficulty and |
| For any of these scenarios, contact a local HVAC | | | | increased expense of trying to find parts for an |
| specialist for an assessment and recommendations. | | | | outdated system. |
| A bigger system is not always better | | | | Energy Star means energy-efficient |
| The most important factor when purchasing a central | | | | To ensure that you are getting a system with |
| air conditioning system is that it's the appropriate size. | | | | exceptional energy efficiency, buy a unit with an |
| Bigger is not necessarily better. If your system is too | | | | Energy Star label affixed. Energy Star is a program |
| big, it won't be as effective at dehumidifying, which | | | | developed jointly by the U.S. Environmental Protection |
| will make your home feel hotter. Also, because | | | | Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy to |
| oversized systems cycle on and off more frequently | | | | promote the use of appliances that reduce energy |
| than they should, they tend to break down more | | | | consumption and have less negative impact on the |
| often, cost more to maintain and wear out faster. | | | | environment. According to the EPA, an air conditioner |
| An air conditioning system that's too small won't be | | | | that qualifies for Energy Star, which is properly sized |
| able to cool your house adequately. It will be | | | | and installed, with a properly sealed duct system, will |
| overworked, use excessive electricity, run loudly and | | | | save you 20 percent in energy costs compared to |
| be prone to premature failure. It may even freeze | | | | other new, conventional systems. |
| over on the warmest days. | | | | |