You know your central air conditioner needs to be replaced. You’ve been told that fall is the best time to shop. You’ve talked with several contractors, each of whom has their own recommendation as to which brand is best. Now you’re on the fence. Should you spend more to get that expensive model that’s super-efficient and has all the bells & whistles? Or hunker down and get the same thing that’s been cooling you for 13 years? First, forget that last idea. Air conditioners today are far better than they were a decade ago. Chances are, you won’t need as much power. And there are some alternative systems on the market that you might like better.In one survey, three brands had poorer ratings— Goodman, Amana & York. opines that Goodman, with its lifetime warranty (same as the Amana ASXC18), may have a poor reputation because of poor installation practices. So if you go with a Goodman, go with a contractor that has a good track record of installing this brand. BTW: Don’t take these surveys as gospel.

If the number of participants is low, it takes only a few disgruntled customers to bring down the rating. Amana, for instance, rates as one of the best brands even though it had some of the most complaints. How about the best? American Standard took first prize with only 10 percent of owners reporting that their units needed repair. ac home unit for saleTrane, which makes American Standard air conditioners, also had a good review. cheap ac window unitCarrier is a solid choice, and is considered by some reviewers as superior in removing household humidity.ac and heating systems parts If you live in a damp climate, that’s a consideration. Lennox rates with the winners, although some experts note that the reason that Carrier, Trane & Lennox are considered best brands is because the companies are careful about installation— overseeing contractors and providing support.

Note that Carrier, an old-line American company, also owns Bryant, Payne and Tempstar. Goodman makes Amana and Janitrol. Nortek makes Maytag, Westinghouse, Frigidaire and Kelvinator brands. Depending on the climate in your neck of the woods, you might also check out heat pumps and swamp coolers. Heat pumps work where the temperature doesn’t fall to extreme lows. Although they are more expensive than conventional air conditioners, the price is falling. Some developers even lay the geothermal coils in the ground for an entire subdivision, which really lowers the installation cost. Swamp coolers work well in dry climates. These units add moisture— the opposite of air conditioning, which is designed to remove moisture from the air. Swamp coolers are generally less expensive than conventional ACs. But ultimately the critical factor in any new system is installation. Make sure you have a contractor who is certified and trained to assess how much cooling you need, and design an installation plan, complete with ducts, that will work at optimum efficiency, and one who is familiar with whatever system you choose.

Moderators: TinaB, Don M, Schag, oldhouse • Page 2 of 4 • 1234 Re: Anyone AC their whole house with window units? Posts: 6965Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2003 11:35 amLocation: Boiling Springs, PA Posts: 1236Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2008 12:04 amLocation: Texas 1938 or '39 craftsman-like bungalow-like kinda thing Posts: 1492Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:52 amLocation: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2187Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2006 10:12 amLocation: WV Posts: 134Joined: Thu Jul 01, 2010 4:31 pmLocation: North New Jersey Posts: 222Joined: Thu Jun 08, 2006 3:02 pmLocation: St. Joseph, MO Check out the mini-splits. /12000btuminisplitac-inverter.htmlThought about this but our house is so window-y there's not many good places to put them, if any... but assuming this would work... do they units require a huge hole cut in your wall for the unit or just a small one for the tube??We installed two mini-split Mitsubishi systems last year, replacing two old large window units.

The Mitsubishi units have a cost premium, but were highly recommended by people who had them, that we talked with. Our installation is shown . Check it out when you've got a moment. Best investment we've made and here in Virginia with its high temps and humidity you've got to have some form of air conditioning. This system looks to be the best for an old house cooling method, with great efficiency and minimal impact to the house, versus a ducted system, which we qot quotes on, but was too expensive (twice the installed cost of the Mitsubishi systems) and invasive, opening up lath & plaster walls and ceilings! And the systems are extremely quiet! Posts: 129Joined: Thu May 28, 2009 9:41 amLocation: Purcellville, VA How close are the tops of your windows to the ceiling? You might be able to put a mini split over a window; the ones I've seen aren't terribly tall, and you want them up high anyway. The Edward A. Ohlms House, c. 1908Historic Old Town, St. Charles, Missouri Posts: 272Joined: Sat Apr 30, 2011 10:27 amLocation: St. Louis, MO

They don't take much space...can go above the window, below the window, on any other wall...they have them where the inside unit mounts in the ceiling, or on the ceiling, or on the wall like a picture frame and so on...explore the site I linked a bit to learn more. Return to General Discussions Forum Users browsing this forum: Google Adsense [Bot] and 6 guestsThe A/C unit plays a vital role in your home, assisting in the circulation of cool air to reduce humidity and maximize the comfort of your household. A typical A/C unit can last from about 10 to 20 years, which means most homeowners have to purchase a brand new air conditioner at some point. Buying a central air conditioning unit is among the most significant and expensive decisions made by homeowners when it comes to home improvement. To ensure you buy an energy efficient central air conditioning unit, listed below are several factors to consider before making the purchase: Unfortunately, you will most likely realize you need to replace your air conditioning system after your current unit stops working.

But since the procurement of a new A/C unit is an expensive decision, it is important that you take the required time to find a unit that perfectly suits your budget and needs. Perusing through the reviews of other users, usually available online, offers you the opportunity to learn more about particular A/C units. User reviews provide the best insights regarding the pros and cons of an air conditioning unit. There are two costs related to the installation or replacement of a central air conditioning unit, the buying price of the A/C unit and the total installation price. You might save a substantial amount of money by simply purchasing the A/C unit by yourself at a wholesale price, and even though doing this does not mean you will not be charged for the installation, you will have essentially reduced your overall costs. Your central A/C unit’s size is crucial when it comes to comfort in your home. You will have to ensure that the A/C unit you settle on is of a size that is large enough to effectively cool down your house and not so large such that it ends up wasting energy.

If you install a system too big for your house, it will frequently cycle on and off, consuming a lot of electricity and reducing your energy efficiency. If on the other hand, the unit is too small, it will consequently be unable to cool your entire house during the hot days. Before the recommendation of a unit, the HVAC contractor needs to visit your home to perform a load calculation. A contractor considers the size of your house in square feet, the amount of insulation and any other necessary factor to determine the most appropriate A/C unit size for you. Most manufacturers of central air conditioning units recommend an annual maintenance plan, and failure to maintain your unit yearly might result in the nullification of the warranty. Ask your home improvement service provider for details and consider having an HVAC care and maintenance contract with one of the local and trusted contractors to effectively keep off any potential A/C issues before they can develop into serious problems.

Today, there are reviews and ratings on HVAC companies available online and once you have decided on a number of contractors, request them for a quote. Ask each of the contractors to list the model and make of the air conditioning units on the quote so that you are able to check the reviews of each and also compare the prices offered. The effectiveness of an A/C unit is measured by Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). It is now a requirement by the government that all A/C units comprise of a SEER rating of at least 13 with ratings from 14 to 22 earning energy-efficient classifications. Choosing the most reliable and suitable air conditioner is an important decision, meaning you will need to do a little research to be sure you opt for the right system and contractor. Keeping up on the maintenance of you A/C system, having it serviced on an annual basis and replacing the filters on a regular basis will also ensure optimal performance and an elongated lifespan for your unit.