Summer is right around the corner. This means that you don’t want to be sitting around your home next to a standing fan with an ice pack on top of your head hoping you cool down. No. You want to be on the couch, binge watching your favorite Netflix Original series with the AC unit set at 68°. Oh, and a blanket at your feet just in case you get cold.
With our brand new AC unit guide, we’ll get into the nitty gritty of what factors to consider before splurging on a brand new AC unit. From cooling capacity, energy efficiency, all the way down to the noise levels, we’ll cover everything you need to know to thrive in the summer heat.
Types of AC Units
Before you even think about purchasing an AC unit it is important to know what kind of AC unit you want. It’s important to know, do you want this AC unit to cool your whole house, or maybe portions of it? Maybe even just a single room? These are all questions you should know and be thinking about when considering buying an AC unit. Below is a breakdown of the most common types of AC units you will find:
Window Air Conditioners
A window air conditioner is a cooling unit designed to fit in a typical window. This type of unit provides localized cooling, and it is perfect for a single room or small space.
Ductless Mini-split Air Conditioners
A ductless mini-split air conditioner is a type of unit that can cool a room without the need of any ductwork. Instead, a ductless mini-split air conditioner is connected by multiple refrigerant lines, which allows for targeted cooling.
Split-system Air Conditioners
A split-system air conditioner is an HVAC unit made up of two main components: an indoor and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit is made up of a coil or furnace, which absorbs heat from inside the house, and then circulates all the cold air throughout your home. With the outdoor unit consisting of a compressor and condenser, which releases heat outdoors, away from your home.
Portable Air Conditioners
As the name suggests, a portable AC unit is designed to be moved from room to room, allowing homeowners the flexibility to use it as they see fit. Portable air conditioners are a great and affordable option for smaller spaces and those who cannot install a window unit.
Unit Features
No AC unit guide would be complete without diving into the features provided by AC units, which is why we’ve compiled a list of what you should be keeping an eye on when buying a new one.
Cooling Capacity
Cooling capacity refers to a cooling system’s capacity to remove heat from your home, and it is without a doubt, the most important factor to consider when narrowing down your search for the perfect AC unit. Cooling capacity is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units), which quantifies the amount of heat an individual AC unit can remove from a room within the span of an hour.
To find the optimal cooling capacity, measure the square footage of your home, or the room the unit will be located in, and use a BTU calculator. Alternatively, to avoid any miscalculations, give CJS Heating and Air for the most accurate results!
Energy Efficiency
With growing concerns over environmental issues as well as the rising cost of living, it is important to take into account energy efficiency when planning to purchase a new AC unit. Look at the EER (energy efficiency ratio) or the SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio), the higher the rating is, the more energy that model will save you .
Noise Levels
Imagine you’ve finally purchased your dream AC unit. It’s installed and ready to go. You’re loving it. Nighttime rolls around, you’re in bed, ready to count sheep. But you can’t. You’re kept up by a loud whirring sound: your AC unit.
While often overlooked, noise levels can play a crucial role in buying an AC unit, especially if it will be installed in a bedroom. When looking at AC units, make sure to take a look at units with a lower decibel rating, or units with a ‘Sleep Mode’ which gradually adjust the noise level during the night.
Smart AC Features
Today’s AC units are not your mom and pop’s AC unit. They’re not just big cold metal boxes with just an on and off knob. You don’t even have to rely on controllers susceptible to getting sat on or lost in-between the couch cushions. In fact, many manufacturers make use of our smartphones and incorporate smart AC features which include control through phone apps, custom scheduling via your smartphone, and voice assistant integration. You can even connect your AC unit to a smart home system such as Alexa.
Call an Expert
Buying a new AC unit is no easy task. It requires research, time, and more importantly, patience. Even then, you could still end up buying the wrong type of unit. One that doesn’t cool all of your house, or one that expends more energy than you’d like it to. Luckily, At CJS Heating and Air we’ve made it our life’s mission to understand the ins and outs of HVAC units, so you don’t have to. So, next time you’re in the market for an AC unit, don’t break your head comparing BTUs. Call CJS Heating and Air, where comfort is your comfort is our number one priority,
