It’s imperative for homeowners to do some research before choosing an A/C replacement. If your current cooling system is relatively old (which is likely the case if it needs to be replaced), it’s been years since you’ve had to navigate the territory of cooling technologies. In recent years, manufacturers have been producing highly efficient air conditioners that boost both comfort and air quality, and at a much lower cost than your current model. When it’s time to consider an A/C replacement, here’s what you need to know.
In 2006, the federal government increased the minimum efficiency standard for central air conditioners from seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) 10 to SEER 13. This means that you can’t buy an A/C today with a SEER that’s lower than 13. However, cooling systems rated 16 and above offer unique benefits that standard-efficiency systems don’t. Due to the low lifetime energy costs, high-efficiency A/C is well worth considering if you’re upgrading your home’s cooling system.
In general, a high-efficiency A/C system, or one rated SEER 16 or higher, employs features that improve efficiency, comfort and air quality:
- A variable-speed air handler affects all three areas. With adjustable speeds, the unit often runs at lower speeds, reducing energy consumption – and your bills. Running nearly continuously at the lower speeds also leads to a more comfortable home, because cooled air is more evenly distributed. Finally, with a lower volume of air continuously passing through the air conditioner filter and dehumidifier, indoor air quality gets a boost, too.
- The two-stage compressor, employed in high-efficiency system, also runs at more than one level. At the higher stage, the compressor allows the home to quickly cool down in the mornings, for instance, but then drops back down to the lower stage over the course of the day, resulting in lower operating costs and more balanced home temperatures.
With features like these, along with more efficient coils, thermal expansion valves and more, you can expect your A/C replacement to operate reliably, and comfortably cool your home, while driving energy costs down.
If you’d like to talk to an expert about your A/C replacement, in Lorain, Elyria and Oberlin, please contact the area’s leading HVAC professionals at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about A/C replacement and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area