When you're choosing a new air conditioner, the two most important issues facing you are selecting the air conditioner that offers ideal efficiency, and the load calculation, which determines the right size system for your home. With your A/C, both energy efficiency and size will have financial and comfort implications for years to come.
All central air conditioners have energy ratings called SEER, which stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. The minimum SEER on the market is 13, and higher ratings indicate more efficient use of electricity, lowering your energy bill. Advanced features such as variable-speed motors or dual-speed compressors increase the SEER rating, but energy savings can be nullified if the air conditioner is sized incorrectly, even if the equipment has a high SEER rating.
Most HVAC contractors use a system called Manual J to calculate the right size of air conditioner for your home. It's based on a variety of factors including:
- Cubic feet you want to cool;
- Insulation levels inside your home;
- Number of windows, their quality and orientation to the sun;
- Air infiltration rates;
- Landscaping considerations;
- Number of appliances and types within the conditioned space;
- Lighting in your home;
- Lifestyle;
- Temperature preferences; and
- Existing ductwork efficiency.
The load calculation results in a recommendation for tonnage, which is how the HVAC industry determines size. If your home is well-insulated, has energy-efficient windows and has low air infiltration rates, you won't need as large an air conditioner as you would in a structure that is poorly insulated or has significant heat gain.
A properly sized air conditioner will not only save you money on equipment costs; it will also run better. Air conditioners that are too big tend to cycle off and on frequently during the cooling season. This adds wear and tear to the equipment and drives up your electric bill, since the electrical load at start-up is usually the highest. It's better to have a slightly smaller system that runs longer. This will provide much better humidity control and filtration.
Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning has served the Fort Wayne area since 1963. We can provide a load calculation for you, making sure that your new air conditioner is the best fit for your home. Please contact us to learn more.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about load calculation and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Hartman Brothers services New Haven, IN and the surrounding Fort Wayne area. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!