What’s better than spring cleaning? Dreaming of summer-time R&R. If your old air conditioning kicked the bucket last year, now’s the time to upgrade your system to have it ready in time for summer’s sweltering days. When picking out a new air conditioning system, there are many important factors, including the type (central AC versus heat pump), the correct size of unit for your home, single-stage or two-stage, and multi-speed versus variable-speed. Starting to sweat thinking about all the features and technology to choose from? We’ve narrowed down the top four aspects to consider when buying a new home air conditioning.
- Type of system: When you want your entire home nice and chilly in the summer, there are two major types of equipment you can go with. The first is a central air conditioning unit that draws warm air from inside your home, releases that heat outside, and returns cooled air to the indoor space. The second option is a heat pump which operates in a very similar way, but it can also reverse the process to warm up your home in the winter. Both types of equipment can be great options – it comes down to your situation and budget. For example, if you’re also in the market for a new heating system (need to replace an old furnace), then a heat pump will give you a two-in-one solution. However, if you just need cooling, then a central air conditioning unit may be the most cost-efficient option.
- Size: When picking out a new AC, you can get caught in the Goldilocks conundrum. You don’t want a unit that’s too small (because it won’t be able to keep your home cool on the hottest days), but you also don’t want one that’s too big (it won’t be as efficient as it should be). Your best bet is to have a professional HVAC technician perform a Manual J Heat Load Calculation, which will determine the appropriate size of AC based on your home’s square footage, windows, insulation, and other factors.
- Single-stage versus two-stage: The number of stages relates to the compressor and how many levels of operation it has. A single-stage air conditioning is either off or working at full capacity. On the other hand, a two-stage AC has a low- and high-level of output – high for the hottest days and low when you don’t need the AC to be at full blast. Single-stage ACs are typically less expensive but a two-stage unit can be more energy-efficient and offer better comfort.
- Multi-speed versus variable-speed blower: The blower is an integral part of the air condition system that circulates air around the home. A multi-speed blower has a limited number of settings (typically five) – think of this similar to a ceiling fan that can be adjusted to a few different speeds. Multi-speed blowers are certainly better than the single-speed blowers found in old, outdated ACs, but they’re still limited. The newest technology is variable-speed blowers with an electronic motor that can precisely adjust the airflow, providing the highest comfort level.
Talk to an air conditioning professional
Choosing a new air conditioning is definitely not an impulse purchase. You want to do your research, get answers to your questions, and be confident in your decision. That’s where the team at DeZiel Heating & AC. We can help you navigate these four attributes (and many more) to help you land on the best cooling solution for your home. To schedule an air conditioning consultation in the Buffalo, MN, area, call us today at (763) 200-5453 .
