Your air conditioning system is among your home’s biggest energy guzzlers. So when it comes to cutting your monthly energy bills – especially in the summer – maximizing savings in your home cooling system is a great place to start. If you’re considering a high-efficiency A/C upgrade or a new cooling system for your home (if your A/C is more than 10 years old, it might be time to do that), you’ll need to take into account efficiency, size, and other factors when making your buying decision. SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is the measure of an air conditioner’s efficiency rating. Think of SEER as you would think of MPG in your car: the higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the unit is. Today’s new home cooling systems are required by law to have a SEER rating of at least 13 (most the central air conditioning models we offer have SEER ratings between 16 and 20, but some of our ductless models go even higher). If your older A/C unit has a SEER rating of 8 (as many older units do), it will use double the energy to produce the same amount of cold air as a similarly sized unit with a SEER rating of 16.

Of course, higher SEER units cost more. Prices increase by about 8-10 percent for every 1-point increase in SEER on a similar-sized unit by the same manufacturer, so you have to consider the “payback period” for the unit. A typical 18 SEER central air conditioner will have a payback period of about 3 years over a 14 SEER model. Also remember that SEER only measures the efficiency of the air conditioner – it doesn’t take into consideration how well your home is insulated, the condition of your ductwork, or other factors that affect cooling. According to the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), a properly sized air-conditioning system can reduce energy usage by up to 35 percent. If a unit is too big, it will also cost more and won’t do as good a job dehumidifying the air in your home. Determining the right size for you A/C unit isn’t just about calculating how much air you need to cool. Climate, the style of your home, the number of windows, the amount of insulation and shade and other factors all affect the size of the unit needed.

This kind of calculation is best left to a professional who will consider all these variables. buy used air conditioning unitsContact us to learn more about sizing a unit for your home.cost to install window ac unit Contact Swezey today to get a FREE estimate on a new A/C unit for your home – just in time for summer!home air conditioning repair serviceSelecting an air conditioner for your home is a big decision. Here are a few things to consider.What do good central air units have in common?The best ones are efficient, operating on minimal electricity to hold utility bills down. Good systems are quiet, long-lasting and low in service needs.How can I be sure my Unit is the right size?Obviously, an air conditioner that’s too small won’t keep your home sufficiently cool.

But what many don’t realize is that an oversized system will cycle (turn on and off) more than necessary, wasting expensive energy and possibly putting undue strain on the compressor.A good contractor will determine the optimum size for your home by making a careful study of your cooling requirements. He’ll specify the cooling capacity of the system in either Btu/h (British thermal units of heat removed per hour) or refrigeration tons (one ton being equal to 12,000 Btu/h). Much like automobile manufacturers, today’s air conditioner manufacturers are required by law to evaluate and rate their equipment according to its energy efficiency. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the equipment.Most new homes with central air come equipped with a standard builder’s model. However, when replacement becomes necessary, property owners can upgrade their air conditioning by specifying a more energy-efficient system.The Ruud Ultra Series™ High Efficiency model, for example, has a SEER of 18.00, among the highest available.

It’s significantly higher than today’s standard models, many of which carry SEER’s of at least 13.High SEER models are generally more expensive, but can easily make up the difference by reducing your home energy bills over the long run. World-Class Customer Support We encourage you to talk to us and utilize our extensive expertise for best advice on which package to select from. We have many models and options within our “Good, Better, Best” range of products to choose from depending on your needs, preferences and budget.Please call us 780- 257- HEAT (4328) to talk to one of our experts. What is the worst thing that could happen to your home in the middle of summer? Your air conditioning unit fails you. There you are, sweating and uncomfortable, wishing you had implemented a plan to prepare for such an event. As we transition from the spring into the heat of summer, it becomes increasingly important to have a plan in place to ensure you are not stuck with no AC in the middle of August heat.

How do you prepare? One of the most important questions you can ask yourself is: What contractor should I use? When selecting a contractor, it is imperative to consider whether your contractor is certified and which certifications they currently hold. There are many factors to take into consideration when selecting an honest, reliable contractor, some of which include: What experience and level of training do they have? Where does their level of proficiency and expertise currently stand? Do they understand the problem and your needs as a customer? Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) and North American Technician Excellence (NATE) are two nationwide, nonprofit HVAC accreditations that support many of the values found in reputable contractors. Air Conditioning Contractors of America ACCA prides itself on its history. With over 40 years of experience, the organization is actively involved with all aspects of the HVAC industry, from the streets of Washington D.C. all the way to your home.

ACCA promotes rigorous, comprehensive training of their accredited technicians, and brings together technicians through onsite and online community training sessions, where contractors are able to fine-tune their skills to ensure efficiency and accuracy. Technicians are held to a high standard of proficiency to ensure they are thoroughly prepared to fix the problem in a timely manner. Search for a professional contractor in your area here. North American Technician Excellence NATE has been involved with the HVAC industry for the past 20 years and prides itself on preparing technicians with rigorous, real world, knowledge-based exams to ensure they are prepared to fix problems associated with HVAC systems. NATE provides technicians with online resources to further ensure that their certifications remains up-to-date and relevant to the needs of their customers. Additionally, NATE technicians are required to continue their education by getting recertified every two years. Search for a NATE-certified contractor in your area here.