The Hidden Secrets Of Buying An Air Conditioner
An air conditioner can
be an important addition to the Denver home. Aside from being a
summer necessity in some areas, installed air
conditioning can be a selling point when a home is on
the market. It is important to consider a number of
factors when purchasing an air conditioner, as a number
of different models and varieties are available.
1) Size Matters -
One of the most
important steps is to consider the need and matching
that to the most effective solution. Is the air
conditioning needed for the entire house, or mostly for
a single room? Additionally, how often will it be used?
If air conditioning is only needed occasionally for a
small area, a temporary in-window model might be more
appropriate, as it can be removed when not necessary. On
the other hand, if permanent air conditioning is needed
for the entire home, a larger solution might be needed.
The primary factor to
consider when purchasing a new air conditioner is its
cooling capacity, which is measured in British Thermal
Units or BTUs per hour.
Air conditioners work by
removing moisture from the air as the warm air is forced
past cold coils. Cooling capacity is the amount of heat
and moisture transferred from indoor air to outdoors, so
the higher the BTU, the more powerful the unit.
A common mistake made by
many consumers is buying an A/C that is simply too big
in terms of BTUs. A lot of consumers think the largest
unit is the best way to go, but that's not necessarily
true. An oversized
air conditioner can leave rooms cold and clammy. A unit
that is too large runs only for short bursts of time
because the indoor coil never gets cold enough to remove
moisture from the air. As a result, oversized units cool
-- but do not dehumidify -- the air, reducing air
quality and aggravating allergies.
In addition, oversized
air conditioners tend to turn themselves on and off more
frequently than properly-sized units, so they can run up
your electricity bill. Air conditioners are most
efficient when they run continuously for a long period
of time.
Because oversized units
emit cold air under most conditions, an A/C that is too
large may keep you from noticing other problems, such as
leaky ducts, constricted air flow, dirty filters,
neglected coils or improper refrigerant charge.
Oversized units also tend to be louder.
2) Your Energy Bills
With an idea of the type
of
air conditioner needed, it is important to consider
energy costs. Air conditioners can use significant
power, and some units are more energy-efficient than
others. Comparing models to find one saves energy while
still performing effectively can save a significant
amount on monthly power bills. Check the labels: most
list the capacity of the model in British Thermal Units
(BTUs) and give an idea of how energy-efficient the unit
is. The more British Thermal Units, the greater the
capacity of the unit. Additionally, some utility
companies offer cash incentives to customers purchasing
energy-friendly appliance replacements. Energy costs can
make a huge difference when considering different air
conditioners. While energy-efficient units tend to be
more expensive than less productive counterparts, the
utility savings may make the extra expense worth your
while.
 Consumers
can save anywhere from 10 to 40 percent in utility costs
by using a high-efficiency air conditioner. The level of
savings depends on what type of climate you live in, how
big your home is and whether your A/C unit is properly
sized.
Because the energy
efficiency of air conditioners has improved greatly in
the past two decades, current units can save an average
of $26 per year in energy costs compared to air
conditioners built in 1980.
Consequently, you may
want to consider replacing an old air conditioner with a
more current model to save electricity costs. However,
proper maintenance should keep your unit efficient.
3) The Air Conditioner and
Your Home
To determine what size
air conditioner is right, you will have to measure the
square footage of the room where it will be placed.
As a general rule of thumb, a room that is 250 square
feet or smaller will need an A/C unit with about 5,000
BTUs, at a cost of about $250. Rooms larger than 550
square feet generally will require more than 11,000
BTUs, at roughly $500.
Ceiling height, the
number of windows and the amount of direct exposure to
sunlight could also affect the amount of BTUs needed.
If you're cooling three or fewer rooms, individual room
air conditioners will likely be most cost-effective.
However, if your space exceeds 1800 square feet and more
than three units are necessary, a central air system may
be better.
Installing a central air
system can cost as much as $5,000, so you may want to
consider air conditioners for just a few rooms, keeping
doors to those spaces shut at all times to bolster
efficiency.
Of course, the price of
the unit itself is a consideration as well, and it is
important to shop around to get a good deal. However,
the price of the unit itself should not be the only
consideration. When comparing prices, it is important to
factor in the cost of delivery and professional
installation, if required. In some areas, product
discounts and faster installation may be available in
colder months when demand for air conditioners is lower.
People tend to think
that an air conditioner is a cure-all, but there are a
number of different variables that go into room
temperatures. If you have windows that are heavily
exposed to the sun, for instance, they may be admitting
excessive heat into your home. Install blinds or opaque
curtains on these windows during the day, or consider
outdoor shading devices such as trellises or awnings.
Leafy trees and vines can also provide shade, reducing
indoor temperatures.
If your home has an
attic, make sure it is well insulated. Attics and crawl
spaces are exposed to extreme outdoor temperatures and
can become as hot as 115 degrees. If that hot air leaks
into the rest of your home, your air conditioner will
have to work harder to cool the house down. Also close
off unused rooms, so the air conditioner has less space
to cool.
When setting up your air
conditioner, make sure the air flowing in or out of the
unit is not blocked by drapes or furniture. And take
care that the area around the air conditioner is sealed
and won't leak in hot outside air. Finally, clean
and replace the air conditioner's filter at least once a
month. Dirty filters block the air flow, making A/Cs
work harder.
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