Air Conditioner Buying Guide

By Robert Robillard on How To

How to Buy the Right Air Conditioner for Your Home

Keep Your Cool AND Save Money:  choose the right air conditioning unit:

Keep Your Cool AND Save Money: How to Buy the Right Air Conditioner for Your Home After months of waiting, spring is finally here as people are looking forward to planning their favorite outdoor activities in all parts of the country. While the beautiful scenery is a welcome change, it also signals something else; warmer temperatures are right around the corner, and in some cases already upon us!
How will you stay cool on those long, hot days of summer without paying a fortune for your utility bill when your air conditioner is doing its darndest to keep you cool day after day?
Purchasing the right air conditioning unit can make all the difference, but trying to find the right one might be challenging, especially if you have seen the extensive variety of models available.
Don’t panic. This need not be a stressful experience if you keep a few things in mind along the way. So here is a simple guide to selecting the best air conditioner for your home based on quality and cost.

4-Step Air Conditioner Buying Guide

STEP 1:

Know the space you need to cool before you shop! Often, people will buy an air conditioner that is too large or small because they are unaware of how much cooling they actually need. Avoid over-sizing or under-sizing by measuring your rooms first, and following these recommendations of British Thermal Units (BTUs) per hour:
• Small room: 5,000 – 7,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs) for 100-300 sq. ft.
• Medium room: 8,000 – 12,000 BTUs for 300-550 sq. ft.
• Large room: 14,000 to 18,000 BTUs for 550-1,000 sq. ft. area.
STEP 2:
Buy an air conditioner that comes with approved refrigerant. With the phasing out of R-22 and other hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), an effort is currently underway to reduce the impact of air conditioners on the ozone layer. You can prevent any service issues or future complications by validating that the unit you purchase contains the R410A refrigerant, which is approved and less harmful to the environment.
STEP 3:
Learn about energy efficiency and save! Recently, it has been reported that EnergyStar qualified air conditioners are about 14% more efficient than previous a/c’s so be sure to watch for a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) when comparing. Normally, cooling units are one of the home’s biggest energy drains, and the higher the SEER rating is, the less it will cost you each month.Why energy efficient units and systems make sense:• You’ll save money on your utility bills.
• You’ll maintain an optimal level of comfort in your home.
• You’ll minimize harmful effects of energy consumption on the environment.
STEP 4:
Consider a portable air conditioner! Instead of purchasing a central air system or a unit for every room, it might be possible for you to move a portable air conditioner around as needed. Maybe it’ll requires a little extra work wheeling or carrying it to the desired location, and that’s not practical for all consumers. But this is an option worth thinking about for smaller sized homes, or homes that have living spaces that are infrequently utilized.
Tip: Quality is better than a low price! So think about how much money you will save with the benefit of the energy efficiency you experience with high quality central air conditioning.And there you have it! You are a mere 4 steps away from making a sensible and informed decision about purchasing a low-cost air conditioner and making sure you are ringing in summer in the coolest way possible!
George Rollins is a writer for www.furnacecompare.com,a website that helps people find the most appropriate boiler, central air conditioner, heat pump or furnace. The site allows you to compare costs, efficiency ratings
so you can find the best air conditioner for your home.

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

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About the author

Robert Robillard

Carpenter / Remodeler / Editor

Rob Robillard is “The Concord Carpenter” Rob is a builder, general contractor, carpenter, woodworker, and editor of Concord Carpenter and ToolBoxBuzz As a General Contractor and carpenter, Rob owns and operates Concord Carpenter LLC. A full-service remodeling and construction company. Rob is a recognized leader in home building best practices and a source for how-to information for building professionals. On this website, Rob covers all aspects of home construction, building science, home improvement, woodworking, remodeling, and some of the best product and tool reviews. Rob is in charge of our Tool and Product Review series - Concord Carpenter Videos where we post all of our tool reviews and video tutorials. Rob approaches remodeling and building construction with a pragmatic and problem-solving approach. He enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help and educate building professionals as well as DIYers on best practices in the construction and remodeling industry. He's a strong advocate for "raising the bar" in the construction trades and promoting the trades to youth. #BeAMentor #Green2Great Craftsmanship, quality, and pride guide his journey on this channel The Concord Carpenter's motto: "Well done is better than well said!" : Read more about Rob

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