Home > Residential HVAC > 2015 Guide to High-Efficiency Air Conditioning 2015 Guide to High-Efficiency Air Conditioning We present this easy-to-use annual guide to give HVAC contractors a look at the year's newest models from the leading brands. OUR ANNUAL AIR CONDITIONING GUIDE IS HERE. We offer this guide each year to give HVAC contractors an easy-to-use comparison of the newest models by the leading brands. This year, we've grouped mini-splits together, for an easy look at this growing category. 2015 GUIDE TO HIGH-EFFICIENCY AC What’s the Best Brand of Central Air Conditioner in Arizona? At George Brazil Air Conditioning & Heating, we install, service and maintain all brands of air conditioners. There are a few brands we partner with so that we can offer our customers special pricing and we can work with the manufacturers if there is ever a problem. That being said, there isn’t a huge difference between most of the major central A/C brands today.

One might offer a larger touch-screen on their thermostat. Another might have a furnace that's 98.5% AFUE while a competitor’s is only 98.4% AFUE. But, these differences are relatively insignificant. So, if brand isn’t that important, what is? The most important factor in purchasing a new air conditioner is the quality of the installation. Why a good A/C installer is so important If you were getting some major repairs done on your car, would you trust a random guy off the street with no references? what are air handling units used for Like your car, your home’s central air conditioning system is a complex system with multiple working parts. how much do air conditioning units cost to runAnd incorrectly installed air conditioners and heat pumps result in a 27% energy loss, according to ENERGY STAR.portable ac unit parts

Chart of the cost of a poor air conditioner installation. ENERGY STAR defines a quality installation as one that is: An A/C that’s too large will turn on and off frequently (called short cycling). This is highly inefficient and will run up your energy bills and make your home full of hot and cold spots. Your initial HVAC Service Technician or Comfort Specialist usually does the pre-measure for your home when they put together the quote for your new air conditioner. If you have questions, or want the size calculation explained, just ask your sales representative. Here’s how to know what size air conditioner you need. Properly charged with refrigerant Too little refrigerant will make your air conditioner less efficient at removing heat from your home while too much refrigerant can cause your A/C to freeze up. Related: Signs Your A/C Needs Refrigerant Correctly balanced with the right amount of airflow To work right, your A/C needs the right amount of air flowing over its cooling coils.

Too little airflow and the air conditioner will have to work harder, shortening its lifespan. Not enough airflow can also cause the coils to freeze up, leading to downtime. Connected to well sealed and insulated air ducts Your brand new air conditioner will work inefficiently if the connected ductwork is leaking the conditioned air. A good A/C installer will take a look at your ductwork and suggest ways to improve them if they’re leaking or under-insulated. This is also usually addressed when your initial sales representative or service technician recommends that you need a new unit. How to find a quality A/C installer Now that you know a quality installer is important, how do you find one? Here are some tips: Ask friends and family. Start with people you know. Who have they used? What was their experience?There are lots of reviews out there. Read up on the company you’re considering. A great source is to check the Better Business Bureau for their reviews, grade and qualifications.

Make sure they have a license to do HVAC work in Arizona. This shows they’re in it for the long run and not just for a quick buck. Don’t shop just on price. The cheapest guy is likely not the best. Doing good, quality work and hiring trained professionals costs money. The A/C installers that do those things generally have a higher price, as a result. Consider how long the company’s been around. Though not always true, companies that have been around awhile are more likely to still be around when you need them if there is a problem in the future or you have questions on your warranty. Once you’ve got a few companies in mind, use this handy checklist from ENERGY STAR for finding and comparing A/C installers. What Size Central Air Conditioner Do I Need? SEER Savings Calculator Tools: From Beginner to Advanced Are Two-Stage Air Conditioners a Good Choice for Phoenix-area Homes? Want a free estimate? If you live in the Phoenix metro or surrounding area, schedule a free estimate with George Brazil.

1 posts, read 39,311 times 1,927 posts, read 4,673,409 times 8,062 posts, read 13,702,511 times My previous home had a Goodman system and I was NOT pleased. It broke down a lot even though I had it cleaned every year and changed the filters often. At one point, it backed up and flooded the adjacent walk-in closet, dressing area, and bathroom. Insurance covered everything but it was a huge pain and I lost a lot of important papers and files I had stored in that closet. My current home has a Ruud system. It works GREAT and I see a huge difference between this CAH and the Goodman. One drawback is it's not very energy-efficient. But as far as performance and reliability, the Ruud is a winner. 433 posts, read 1,607,992 times 2,198 posts, read 5,843,414 times 27,236 posts, read 33,636,824 times Originally Posted by mandyS I've only heard of Carrier and Rheem. 10,513 posts, read 22,544,338 times 19,446 posts, read 36,978,478 times 352 posts, read 1,347,442 times