Because a central heating and air conditioning system is not an off-the-shelf product, it requires a professional dealer to assess and install a system that’s right for your home. There is no MSRP. Multiple factors enter into the purchase price of your new system, such as: the seasonal temperature where you live, the type and age of your home, the interior duct work inside your home, local or state regulations and available tax rebates. BEYOND THE PURCHASE PRICE Replacing your home's is heating and air conditioning system is a major decision, but you need to think more than just about the initialFactor in how much you can save on your current energy bill by replacing your older system with a higher efficiency system. COST FACTOR: HOME CONSTRUCTION The way your home is constructed can affect the size (capacity) of your air conditioning and heating system. For example, insulation canR-values tell you the insulation’s resistance to heat

the higher the R-value, the more resistant. higher R-values can help decrease the system size you’ll need for yourLower R-values may mean that the capacity of your system has todoes window ac unit save money be increased in order to keep your home comfortable. how to size a house for an ac unit well-insulated windows, doors, walls, roofs, attics, floors,window ac unit not cooling properly basements, and crawl spaces, along with sealed exterior cracks and seams, typically require less air conditioning and heating capacity than homes that are not as well insulated. COST FACTOR: HOME LOCATION The region where you live will also affect the size of your heating and air conditioning system.

For example, the same size home located in the southern half of the United States will require a larger capacity air conditioning system than a similar home in the northern half of the United States. Of course, a home located in the northern half of the United States will need a larger heating capacity requirement than a home in the south. The direction your home faces is another consideration inFor example, a home with more exterior wall areas that face south and west will need greater air conditioning capacity than one with more exterior wall area facing north and east. If your home has a large window area that faces south or west, you will need greater air conditioning capacity, as well. Ductwork is the air distribution system in your home that directs and delivers heated or cooled air. The duct system has a significant impact on system performance and plays an integral role in determining how comfortable your home is from room to room.

and installed, a duct system can maximize comfort and minimize energyIf it is time to replace your aging system and you have hot or cold rooms in your house, you may want to consider making duct system improvements at the same time your dealer installs the new system. Install a properly sized duct system with registers and grilles that deliver air quietly and evenly. Download our Trane Purchasing Guide to prepare for your next Heating and Cooling purchase.  It's as easy as 1-2-3.Home  Resources Tips & ArticlesHigh Efficiency Air Conditioners Drastically Reduce Energy Costs! Calculate How Much You Can Save by Upgrading to a New Energy-Efficient Cooling System We all love air conditioning in the summertime; except, of course, when we see our electric bill! The air conditioning systems we grew up with were extreme energy hogs…and we usually paid a price for the cool comfort they delivered. Fortunately, times have changed, and we can enjoy substantial energy savings by installing and using today’s more technically advanced and efficient cooling systems.

The efficiency at which air conditioners produce cooling is refered to as its SEER rating. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and is a ratio of the amount of cooling produced (BTU) divided by the amount of electricity (watts) used. The higher the SEER, the greater the air conditioner’s efficiency. Older air conditioning systems have a SEER rating of 10 or under. Today’s more efficient air conditioning systems have SEER ratings as high as 23.  The United States now requires that residential air conditioning systems manufactured after 2005 have a minimum SEER rating of 13 (window units are exempt from this law, so their SEERs are still around 10). The SEER rating is usually shown on a yellow and black EnergyGuide sticker attached to the outside unit of the air conditioner. How much energy and money can you save by upgrading from your old air conditioner to a modern, more efficient model?  Let’s suppose your older air conditioning system had a SEER rating of 9.

If you were to upgrade to a SEER 13 air conditioner (the lowest efficiency available), you would reduce your power consumption by about 28%.  That can translate to energy savings up to $300 per year (depending on your usage rate and the cost of electricity). The Numbers Don’t Lie! The tables below will give you an estimate of the electricity you can save by upgrading to an air conditioning system with a higher SEER. Existing Air Conditioner Efficiency: New Air Conditioner Efficiency Expected Reduction in Electricity How High a SEER Do You Need? Central air conditioners that are in the top 25 percent of efficient models may carry the Energy Star® label. To qualify, they must have a minimum SEER efficiency level of 14. So, does all this mean that you should get the air conditioner with the highest SEER possible? SEER ratings only represent the potential efficiency of the system under perfect conditions. Over half of the system’s efficiency depends on correct equipment sizing for your home and proper installation. 

So while looking for an air conditioning system with the EnergyStar® label is certainly the right start, what you really want and need is the right sized equipment operating at its optimal ratings within varying conditions, for your optimal comfort and savings. Your Horizon Services comfort specialist will perform a thorough In-Home Energy Analyis to help you identify the most efficient system for your home, your needs and your budget…and see to it that they system is properly installed for optimal performance. Schedule a FREE In-Home Energy Analysis! Learn More About Upgrading to an Energy Efficient Air Conditioner! Learn More About Our Air Conditioning Services! Horizon Services has been proudly meeting the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, drain cleaning and sewer & water line needs of businesses and homeowners in Delaware, Southeastern Pennsylvania and Maryland since 1989. Horizon Supports Local Sports Teams Horizon Services is a Proud Partner of the Wilmington Blue Rocks, Philadelphia Union and the Trenton Thunder.