Choosing an air conditioner that’s right for your home can be a difficult task. Science can help you determine the best air conditioner for you. Air conditioners have come a long way since they were first invented back in 1902 by Willis Carrier. The first air conditioner wasn’t even invented for houses; the first one was created to control the humidity at the printing plant where Willis Carrier worked at.
Listed below are a few factors to consider before purchasing your air conditioner:
- One thing to keep in mind is how big is the space that you plan on cooling? Are you going to cool just a single room or multiple rooms? Once this is determined you can figure out the tonnage needed to cool the space or spaces effectively.
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- The next one to answer is what type of air conditioner unit do you want? There are a handful of different types ranging from mini-split ductless air conditioners to heat pumps and packaged central air conditioners. Each unit is different from the other and what you choose will depend on your needs.
- Is the AC you want too noisy? This one is a very important question to answer. Some cities have sound ordinances which means not all AC units are allowed to be installed depending on their sound level. Aside from that, you wouldn’t want to upset your neighbors because your AC keeps them up, or your own family for that matter! The average air conditioners sound level is 60 Db and anything above 60 Db’s can cause damage to eardrums if exposed to it for too long.
- The majority of air conditioners all need proper ventilation to work successfully so this will need to be taken into consideration.
- Energy efficiency is something to keep in mind when choosing which model of AC you decide to go with. Energy efficient air conditioners vary and will perform at different levels some better than others.
- Where is the filter located? Each type of air conditioner has their filter located in different areas. Typically an AC filter is located along the venting ducts that the air flows through and mini-split ductless filters are in the head unit behind the vents. It’s also good to know what your filter is made of and how often they need to be changed. A dirty filter can reduce the energy efficiency of the air conditioning unit.
- Temperature sensors help regulate the temperature more efficiently in your house and are more common than one would think. Newer air conditioners work with touchpad and smart thermostats to regulate the temperature in your home. Does the AC you choose come with a control panel or remote control? The control panel is the thermostat to control the unit itself, and a remote control does the same thing. A remote control is more convenient in a sense that you don’t have to get up every time you want to turn it on and off or adjust the temperature.
The most important aspect of this all is making sure the install is done correctly. If installed incorrectly none of the stuff we mentioned earlier will matter because it will not work from the beginning. Give Bellows Plumbing, Heating & Air in Santa Cruz and San Rafael, CA a call at 831-244-6718 to get your new air conditioner installed properly.
Check out Jen’s Reviews for tips on choosing an air conditioner!