Tips for Choosing the Right Air Conditioner for Your Home

The right air conditioner can create a comfortable environment in your home, especially when temperatures become too high. Although the decision to install air conditioning in your home is simple, finding the right unit for your home can be challenging. If you make the wrong decision, your energy bills will increase, and the unit might not effectively cool your home. 

Read on to discover some factors that affect your choice of an air conditioner. 

Room Size

Possibly the most important consideration is to select an air conditioner that matches the size of your room. If the air conditioner is too small, it won't properly cool the room. But a bigger AC is not always better since a unit that is too large for the room will quickly cool the space and then shut down immediately. This shutdown happens before the AC has removed enough humidity from the room.

A very large unit means that you have to constantly turn it on and off to achieve optimum temperature and humidity levels. This can result in energy wastage and reduce the lifespan of the AC units. The best option is to determine the size of your home on your own or with the help of a trained technician. You can also use online calculation tools to know the right AC unit size for your home.

Control Settings

The right control settings can help you easily adjust the temperature of the air conditioner, particularly in a stuffy and hot room. Choose an AC unit with an adjustable thermostat that allows you to control the speed of the fan. The unit should also have a higher setting that allows you to fine-tune the temperature to cool the room more quickly.

You may also prefer a unit that has lower settings for a quieter operation for nighttime usage. The latest AC units also have digital controls for precise temperature settings. For example, smart thermostats allow you to preset and personalize the AC unit. You can even remotely control the units and adjust the temperature. The result is massive energy savings.

Energy Efficiency

Heating and cooling are the main contributors to your home's energy expenses. Energy-efficient air conditioners consume less energy and can reduce your energy bills. The federal government requires all manufacturers to indicate each unit's energy efficiency rating.

Although there are many ways to measure energy efficiency ratings, the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is the most common. The ratio measures an air conditioner's total cooling output versus the unit's electrical power consumption. AC units with higher SEER ratings are efficient and can make your home more comfortable. 

While old units have ratings of as low as 6, current US regulations require all new AC units to have a rating of at least 14. Most AC units have a rating of 9 or 10. Anything above 10 is considered highly efficient, but the ultimate choice comes down to your personal preferences. Remember, air conditioners with a high SEER rating will also positively impact the environment. 

Type of Air Conditioner

Different types of air conditioners have different operational mechanisms and advantages. Some of the main types to consider include:

These air conditioners can also be categorized into single-stage, dual-stage, and variable-speed condensers. All types of air conditioners require regular servicing to function properly and last long. Preferred Mechanical Services provides air conditioning, plumbing, heating, and duct cleaning services. We use high-quality products from reputable manufacturers. Contact us to benefit from our services.