Thousands of homeowners across the country will be faced with making the quick decision to replace their air conditioners this summer. With high temperatures, you can’t always risk being without cooling for very long — when you must replace your air conditioner in the middle of cooling season, you won’t have as much time to research and evaluate your options as you would when replacing in the off-season, where cooling isn’t critical. Just because a breakdown forces you to purchase a replacement quickly doesn’t mean you have to do so uninformed — ask your HVAC contractor these questions to help determine the right choice for your home and family. Ask Your Contractor These 5 Questions… Which type of system is best for me? A good contractor will evaluate your home and discuss with you the functionality you want in order to provide you with sound advice regarding which type of system is best for your home. For example, in homes with failing or nonexistent ductwork, a multi-unit ductless mini-split system may be the right choice for you.

Your contractor can answer any questions you have about using a mini-split, central AC, or heat pump in your home. What size do I need? Size does matter when it comes to your air conditioner — undersized and oversized units will consume excessive energy while causing comfort issues in the home. In order to determine the correct size unit and configuration for your home, your contractor should perform a Manual J cooling load calculation. Are there other things that need done to my home to accommodate installation? The air conditioner itself is just one piece of the cooling system — other components include your duct work, thermostat, and air handler, amongst others. Replacement or repairs to these components may be necessary to accommodate the installation of your new air conditioner and facilitate efficient operation. Your new high-efficiency air conditioner won’t offer the savings you expect if your conditioned air is leaking out the duct system! Have your contractor evaluate all the components of your cooling system to see if other work is needed.

What do SEER ratings mean? SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The higher the ration, the greater efficiency of the system. All air conditioners must be at least 13 SEER, but SEER ratings go all the way up to 23. If you decide to go with a heat pump, you’ll be looking at HSPF ratings (Heating and Seasonal Performance Factor). These equipment efficiency ratings will have a great impact on the energy use and operating costs of your new unit, and your contractor can help you estimate your monthly or annual costs associated with the new unit. central ac unit typesHigher efficiency units typically cost more to purchase, but their savings can result in quick payback periods.small ac units for small rooms What’s the warranty term and what does it include?outside ac unit on and off

Manufacturers’ warranties cover various parts for a specific period of time. Make sure you know what is covered on your new unit and how long the warranty lasts so you can have qualifying work performed under the warranty if needed, rather than paying out of pocket. Some manufacturers offer extended warranties for purchase, and your contractor can help you out if you wish to extend the warranty term. Quality HVAC contractors will also offer a warranty for their labor, so be sure to ask what is covered by their warranty and how long the warranty term lasts. Need to find a trusted local contractor? Click the button below to find one in our network!Learn the difference between low and high efficiency air conditioners. At Standard Heating & Air Conditioning Company our technicians diagnose the issue with your air conditioning system and provide the right repairs to prolong the safely and performance of your cooling system. We work with all brands and models of central and ductless air conditioners.

From annual maintenance work to small repairs to entire AC system replacements we are the trusted experts. Give us a call, 1-205-322-2679, or click below to get a free, no-obligation air conditioning estimate! Our technicians are insured, certified and prepared to repair your AC unit. Upgrade your cooling system for optimal energy efficiency. Reduce your energy bills by scheduling annual service for your AC system. Learn more about your current air conditioner or find the right replacement. Expensive AC repairs can best be avoided with regular cooling system maintenance. Our AC technicians visit your home and inspect the cooling system to take care of any small issues before they become large ones. We keep your home cool and prolong the life of your air conditioning unit. If you have waited too long and you need repairs to your cooling system we can also help with that. From small repairs to complex fixes we know exactly what to do and provide fast, quality repair work.

Before we begin we provide you with a free, no-obligation written estimate so you know the exact costs and work to be done. Air Conditioning units & cooling systems are not meant to last forever. Even the best brands eventually break down and need to be replaced. If the required repairs to your old system are extensive the more cost effective solution would be replacement. Although replacing your AC unit can be a downer the good news is we provide professional, affordable replacement services. Your new AC unit will also run more efficiently resulting in lower energy bills. By installing a selection of cooling systems from top manufacturers you can rely on your new AC unit to last for years to come. Just like with repair we answer any questions you have, provide advice on different units and give you a total, written cost estimate before we begin work. If it is time to replace your cooling system give us a call. Our job is not just to fix the air conditioner. We want your home to be comfortable and your energy bills to be manageable.