With summer well on its way, many Arizonans from Congress to Surprise are re-evaluating their current AC situation. Maybe you have an old air conditioner that’s on its last legs or perhaps you don’t have one at all. If you’re tired of suffering through the hottest months of the year with insufficient cooling, it’s time to consider a new air conditioner. This week we are going to take a look at how to choose the right AC unit for your home.  

 

Types

There are several different types of air conditioners on the market today, but they can typically be divided into two categories:

 

• Ducted. These systems employ ducts to transport air around your home. This could be in the form of central air conditioning or heat pumps. Ducted air conditioning gives the homeowner control over the temperature in the entire home, sometimes even with the capability to have different temperatures in different rooms. They are more complex, however, and are not always a great choice for very small houses or apartments.

• Ductless. Portable, window, or mini-split systems are strategically placed throughout the home to offer targeted cooling. These are much less expensive to install but are limited in their cooling capacity. 

 

Size

Now that you have an idea of what kind of air conditioner you want, let’s further narrow down your options by choosing a size. When it comes to HVAC, bigger isn’t always better so don’t go out there and purchase the largest AC unit you can find. Instead, figure out how many tons are required to effectively cool your home. In this industry, tons do not refer to weight but rather the ability of a system to cool a space. Homes between 600 to 900 square feet can be cooled with a 1.5-ton unit. As the square footage increases, so should the tons. For example, homes between 1200 to 1500 square feet typically work the most efficiently with AC units rated at 2.5 tons. Work with a skilled professional to help you choose the proper size. 

 

SEER Rating

Once the size has been determined, it’s time to talk efficiency. SEER is the acronym for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and is used by home, business, and industry owners to determine a unit’s maximum efficiency. Larger numbers indicate that the air conditioner will waste less energy, therefore reducing environmental impact as well as cutting down on cooling costs.   

 

Choosing the proper air conditioner for your home is key to keeping you comfortable and your cooling costs reasonable. Our team of experts at McMillin Air can help you determine which type, size, make, and model would work best for your unique situation. Contact us today to get started!