Edit ArticleHow to Buy a Central Air Conditioner Buying a central air conditioner for your home can improve its resell value, save you on energy costs, and become a valuable upgrade. Knowing what type of central air conditioner to purchase can be confusing without knowing more about the units, the size to get and what is right for your family’s needs. There are many options and benefits to consider before making such a large purchase. This article can help alleviate some of the questions you may have. Learn about costs and requirements. Research the capacity of unit you will need to efficiently cool your home according to its size when gaining knowledge on how to buy a central air conditioner. Have a load calculation performed by a certified HVAC contractor to determine what size of central air conditioning unit you should consider purchasing. This is according to your home’s square footage and insulation quantity, among other factors. Find out the cost involved for installation and labor.

All companies will charge you to install your central air conditioning unit as well as fees for the labor. The larger your unit, the higher the cost in your initial purchase. Find out what upgrades cost and extra options that are available. commercial through wall ac unitsChoose which ones to add according to your wants, needs and budget. in wall heat and ac unitsSome such upgrades are a heat pump, humidifier, dehumidifier (depending on your climate) and an ionizer.sizing central ac units square footage Learn about maintenance and upkeep fees such as cleanings, Freon refills and repairs.Find out factors that benefit you when you install a central air conditioning unit at your home, such as: Saving money on utility bills with energy efficiency that a central air conditioner provides.

Gaining tax cuts with the purchase of certain energy saving units. Central air conditioners cool entire areas, not just one room as with a window unit. Climate control abilities by temperature. Automated thermostats for ease of use during time away from home and sleep hours. Learn about the variety of options and types available. Choose a central air conditioner that’s either a split-system unit or a packaged central air conditioning unit. A split-system unit houses the condenser and compressor in an outside metal housing unit and the evaporator is kept inside the house, usually in the attic. A packaged central air conditioning unit has all three main components (condenser, compressor and evaporator) in one single compartment and is usually on a concrete slab next to the home or on the roof. Know the options available: Find out warranty information on any central air conditioning unit you consider as a purchase. For Freon refills, R-22 was the common type used but R-410A is now the eco-friendly replacement.

Updated Mar. 31, 2016 Installing a new central air conditioner can cost between $3,000 to $10,000 or more. to the initial purchase price, you will have ongoing costs in terms of your monthly electric billBecause of these hefty costs, you’ll want to carefully consider your options before purchasing a new central air conditioner. This article presents the issues you should consider in purchasing central air, including; Homeowners have submitted thousands of reviews of central air conditioners to this site. However, many of the reviews cover air conditioners that are no longer sold. the remaining reviews to find the models preferred by most homeowners. The 10 best central air conditioners sold in 2016 are led by the 18 AFUE Goodman DSXC18 and the 17 SEER Coleman LX. 1. I need a new: There are essentially two things that you’re paying for when purchasing and installing a new central air conditioner: equipment costs and labor costs.

Depending on your situation, you may be able to reduce your costs in one or both of these areas. Probably the single-greatest cost-saving solution is to buy your air conditioner from a direct-to-consumer retailer, and then hire a licensedBetween the complexity of the project, the environmental concerns of handling refrigerant and the high-voltage electricity involved, this is not a project for the Do-It-Yourselfer. Buying direct can reduce your upfront equipment costs, but before you buy it pays to consider how your unit of choice can lower your monthly utility bill. An air conditioner’s efficiency is typically provided as a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER). Although a unit with a 13 SEER rating -— the lowest available —- will be less expensive upfront, you will spend more each month on your fuel bill than if you had selected aIf you purchase a high-efficiency central air conditioner, you may also qualify for rebates or other incentives provided by a local goverment or utility.

Consider, too, that the longer your unit runs in peak condition, the more bang you’re getting for your buck. Selecting a unit with a long-term warranty, and maintaining it on a regular basis, is another way to reduce your costs over the long haul. Although selecting the best unit for your home is important, selecting a contractor is equally, if not more, important. You will want to work with a good HVAC contractor when you install a new central air conditioning system. Make sure that you get quotes from at least threeThis will ensure you a low, medium and high bid, and give you a good sense of what it is reasonable to pay. Also, make sure to screen your potential contractors to ensure that they have happy customers and no complaints. is the best way to learn if the contractor with the most reasonable bid will be likely to complete your job to your satisfaction—and still be in business for your future maintenance needs. It is important to have an HVAC Contractor perform a load calculation

before you decide which size air conditioning system to buy. If you install an air conditioner that is too large, it will cycle on and off too often, substantially reducing the efficiency of the system. Too small, and your air conditioner may not be able to meet the demands of a hot, humid day. The industry standard load calculation is called the Manual J calculation. It takes into account the size of your house, the amount of insulation installed, the square footage, and a host of other factors. More Central AC Resources As mentioned above, the most common measure of the efficiency of a consumer central air conditioning system is the Since 2006 the US government has required all new central air conditioners to have a SEER of at least 13. Higher efficiency models have a SEER between 14 and 25.5. Another rating you might see is the EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio), although this method is more commonly used for rating commercial air conditioners.