Around 80% of new homes built in the United States are equipped with a central air conditioning unit. In addition, many homeowners are installing central a/c in older homes, or replacing their older air conditioning units. As a result, the prevalence and sales of central air conditioning systems is very high. Why is Central Air So Popular? Central air conditioning is the most efficient way to get cool air flow to multiple rooms in a home. Window-mounted units are economical when the intent is to cool a single small space or room, but when looking to cool an entire home, central air conditioning is the most feasible.  Central air is also quieter than window mounted air conditioners. Different Types to Consider When installing a central a/c system, the entire unit can be installed outside the home, or it can be a split device where the condenser and compressor are installed outdoors and the evaporator or blower is located inside on the furnace. The latter is the most economical.

With this configuration, the furnace’s blower delivers the cooled air to your rooms through the furnace’s air duct system. If a home doesn’t have ducts, a separate blower can be installed to distribute the cooled air. Proper “Sizing” is Critical When determining the size of air conditioner your home requires, remember that bigger is not always better. In fact, an air conditioner that is too big or too small can use excessive amounts of energy, run loudly and break down prematurely. Factors of your home that need to be taken into account to properly “size” your air conditioner include: Quality of insulation and air sealing Window size, number, type and direction Beware of Sizing by Rule of Thumb Sizing of your air conditioner should be done by an experienced professional.  Proper sizing requires taking several measurements in the home which are used, along with the features listed above, to determine the appropriate size needed. Beware of any contractor who uses a simple rule of thumb such as square footage to determine the size. 

Find a RESNET Qualified ENERGYSMART Contractor. Start With an Energy Audit Before installing an air conditioning system, it is a good idea to have a home energy audit to assess the quality of your insulation and air sealing, and to test your ductwork for leaks. cost to purchase and install ac unitBy taking remedial actions you will save energy by making your home more energy efficient, and potentially save even more money by requiring a smaller, less expensive air conditioning system. air conditioning unit replacementFind a RESNET Certified Energy Auditorac unit controlled by phone Vast Majority of U.S. Homes Are Under Insulated It’s hard to believe but 90% of existing American homes are under insulated.

That means 90% of existing American homes are... How to Warm Your Home Without a Heater Now that we’re in the middle of winter, don’t panic if your heater breaks down! Believe it or not, there are a number of... Don’t Let A High Energy Bill Haunt Your Halloween! It’s that time of year again when ghosts, ghouls and goblins emerge from their dark recesses to stalk the earth, but they... Choosing an HVAC System Buy the right HVAC system to properly heat and cool your home. If you’re considering a new system for your home, talk first to your architect or designer. Conversations with HVAC contractors will probably follow, although you or your designer may also want to consult a specialist – a heating engineer – in the event your building project presents unusual demands. Talk through in detail exactly what your needs are. If your budget is tight, you’ll need to identify essentials. If you can afford to think more broadly, consider the added comfort of, say, radiant floor heating.

If you’re unhappy with your present system or would like to add humidification or a filtration system, get bids for those costs. In most cases, extending your existing system or adding a smaller area heater will be the least expensive option. Here are a few other considerations:As a rule of thumb, if local temperatures rarely rise above 85 degrees Fahrenheit, you probably don’t need central air-conditioning. On the other hand, central air is often regarded by realtors as a valuable selling point, so if there’s a chance you’ll be transferred to another region or are likely to put your home on the market for any reason in the near future, central air-conditioning may be a good investment. Top-of-the-market houses get top-of-the-market prices because they have all the bells and whistles. For people with asthma and other allergy problems, central air with its ability to filter and “condition” household air can also have health benefits. Beware of Oversize Systems. Strange though it may sound, too much heating capacity will make a system less efficient.

It will cause the system to cycle on and off frequently, producing excess wear and tear on the components. The system may never reach peak operating temperatures. To be sure your system is suited to your home, ask your HVAC contractor, heating engineer, or whoever designed the system to walk you through the calculation. The process consists of determining what the heating load is (based on an arithmetical formula that factors in the size of your home, its insulation, and the local climate). The system capacity should be no more than 25 percent greater than the calculated heating load. Simple Is Usually Less Expensive. Staying with your existing system is almost certainly the cheapest route. If your system has enough capacity that it can be extended to heat (or cool) new spaces, that approach will probably be less expensive than installing an all-new system.Good shoppers don’t always buy bargains. Buying durable boilers or furnaces that come with long warranties often costs more initially but, over the years, presents fewer headaches.