Air conditioning is practically a necessity during the summer for many people. The summer heat can become almost unbearable, and it is important that you and your family stay cool and comfortable in your home.
However, it’s also important that you choose the right a/c unit for your home and the part of the country you live in. An air conditioning unit that is too big will use more power than what is necessary and run your electric bill up, while a unit that is too small won’t be able to keep your entire home cool enough. Choosing the right a/c unit takes a little bit of work, but it is well worth it in the long run. Here are some things to keep in mind as you shop for air conditioning for your home.
Energy Star and SEER Ratings
When you shop for an air conditioning unit, you should make a point to look for an energy-efficient model. The best way to determine the efficiency of an a/c unit is to look at the SEER rating. More efficient units have higher SEER ratings, so keep that in mind when choosing an air conditioning unit. The government requires all new air conditioning units to have a SEER rating of at least 13 but you can purchase residential units as high as 18-23. A good SEER number to aim for is 16 for residential. You will spend more initially but save a great deal on your monthly bill with high-efficiency units. You can also trust any unit that has an Energy Star logo to be energy efficient.
Know the Square Footage of Your Home
This is quite possibly the most important part of choosing an air conditioning unit. Before you begin shopping anywhere, measure the square footage of your home that you want to keep cool. You can measure the length and widths of your rooms to determine the square footage of your home or visit your local state website and the tax assessor’s office will have a public record of the square footage of your home. Also, many real estate sites have the public record of a home’s square footage if you type in the address.
Determine the Necessary Cooling Capacity to Keep Your Home Cool
Once you know the square footage of your home, the next step is to determine the cooling capacity necessary to keep your home cool. Cooling capacity for a/c units is measured in BTUs or British Thermal Units. A 100 square-foot space will need 5,000 BTUs per hour to stay cool. While these calculations give a homeowner a good idea of what size air conditioning unit they need it is usually a good idea to consult with an HVAC specialist to get the best recommendation for how many BTUs fits your home’s specific needs.
These guidelines give you a good start on choosing the right air conditioning unit for your home. However, there are many additional factors that need to be kept in mind when shopping for a/c units. Different parts of the country require different specifications for the climate and for local building codes. If you have an idea of what you need you are ready to contact your local HVAC expert to help you determine the right air conditioning for your Colorado home to maximize your home comfort.
Call Smith & Willis Heating & Air Conditioning Today – The Indoor Comfort Specialist (303) 688-4487
