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If you’re like most homeowners, you haven’t done a whole lot of shopping around for air conditioners. Maybe you’ve purchased a window AC or portable AC, but buying a central air conditioner is a whole different ball game. Still, it’s incredibly important to make sure you’re getting the right air conditioner for your Mansfield, TX, home. If you’re interested in brand-new air conditioner installation but you can’t find the right AC unit for your needs, we’ve got all the information you need to make a smart choice.
Types of Air Conditioners
The first thing you need to remember when you’re shopping for an air conditioner is what type of air conditioner you want. Different types of air conditioners involve different air conditioner installation processes, so it’s important to find the one that works for you.
If you’re looking for an AC that can cool your entire home, you probably want central air conditioning. These units are connected to your home via ducts which they send cool air through. This is the most popular type of air conditioning, but it’s also the most involved in terms of installation since you have to run ducts throughout your home.
For renters, it’s generally better to get something that doesn’t actually have to be installed. A portable air conditioner can provide enough cooling power for a small apartment or home without any complicated installation, and they’re fairly affordable.
The simplest and one of the most common options is the window air conditioner. These air conditioners simply mount in a window for easy air conditioner installation. The big downside to window air conditioners is the fact that they don’t offer a lot of cooling power.
AC Sizing
Once you’ve found the type of air conditioner you want, you need to start thinking about AC sizing. Different size air conditioners have different cooling capabilities. While you want an air conditioner that’s powerful enough to cool your home, you don’t want to spend a fortune on an AC that’s too large and causes you to waste money.
Sizing an air conditioner depends on a lot of different things, so it’s best to leave that up to an air conditioner installation professional. An expert can take the time to figure out how well your home is insulated and what kind of cooling power you need for consistent temperatures.
Remember that the smaller the AC, the less it’s going to cost in most cases. This is another big reason why there’s no point in getting an air conditioner that’s too large and powerful for your Mansfield, TX, home.
SEER Ratings
When you’re trying to find the perfect air conditioner, efficiency should be one of the main things you look at. The energy efficiency of an air conditioner is described using the SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, rating. SEER ratings describe how well your AC converts electricity to cool air, with a higher SEER rating indicating a more efficient AC.
SEER ratings are one of the most important factors when it comes to air conditioner installation. While modern air conditioners all have a SEER rating of at least 13, you’ll get even more efficiency if you opt for an even higher SEER rating.
Keep in mind that there may be diminishing returns when it comes to SEER ratings. While a 21 SEER rating air conditioner is going to save you a decent amount of money on your cooling bill, the cost of the unit upfront may not be worth the savings you see in the future.
Warranty
One thing a lot of customers forget to pay attention to when it comes to air conditioner installation is the warranty that came with the air conditioner. Any reputable company will offer a warranty with its air conditioners, but those warranties can vary quite a bit. It’s important to understand what kind of warranty you’re getting when you buy an AC, which includes the length of the warranty and the specifics regarding what’s covered and whether or not warranty service is free.
You want a warranty that lasts a long time and covers air conditioner repairs without you having to spend an arm and a leg on a “service fee.” If you’re not quite sure what to look for in terms of an AC warranty, you can always ask an air conditioner installation expert to help you find an air conditioner with a good warranty.
Additional Features
In addition to finding an efficient and properly sized air conditioner with a good warranty, there are some other things you might want to consider as well.
One of the main things to think about with AC installation is the noise of the unit. If you have an older air conditioner, you know how loud they can be. If noise is a concern for you, make sure you’re looking for an AC unit that’s specifically designed for noise reduction.
Filter indicator lights are another great feature to have on an air conditioner. Some AC units have a small LED light that will turn on when the filter needs to be changed. Some of these lights even change between green, yellow and red to let you know your air filter is getting dirty before it’s time to replace it. This is an important feature to look out for if you’re considering new air conditioner installation.
Call Minuteman Today
The last thing you want is to invest in a weak air conditioner that doesn’t keep your home cool, so you need professional help. An HVAC technician can help you figure out which AC is best for your needs and get it installed the right way. If you’re considering a new air conditioner installation in your home, the folks at Minuteman Heating and Air are happy to help. Give us at Minuteman Heating & Air a call at (817) 284-2569 to schedule installation or learn more about choosing an air conditioner today.