When you start comparison shopping for the right air conditioner for your home, there are a several important questions you should ask to ensure you find the best system for your needs and preferences. Here are a few things you’ll want to know.
What Air Conditioners are Rated for the Size of My Home?
The first and most important consideration when choosing an air conditioner is sizing. If your unit is too small, it won’t cool your home efficiently and it will run constantly, jacking up utility bills and wearing parts faster than normal. A unit that’s too large will cool your home quickly, but cycle on and off more frequently, leaving you with an interior temperature that boomerangs from hot to cold.
Your HVAC provider can help you to choose the system properly sized for your square footage and most likely to meet your cooling needs. This is essential to maintaining a comfortable home interior, keeping energy bills low, and extending the usable life of your AC unit. Our Palmdale and Lancaster California air conditioning technicians know how to handle the heat. We also serve the Santa Clarita Valley, San Fernando Valley and Ventura County.
What Air Conditioners are Made in the USA?
There are a couple of good reasons to choose AC units that are made in the USA. For one thing, supporting domestic businesses means keeping jobs in the country and boosting our national economy.
In the short-term, you might pay a little more for US products, but you’ll enjoy long-term benefits like parts and construction that meet high standards and deliver greater longevity and performance, along with easier access to replacement parts. Your trusted HVAC provider can advise you on American-made equipment perfect for your home.
What Air Conditioner Has the Best Warranty?
Warranties vary by manufacturer. Although you can typically expect to get 10-15 years out of your average AC unit, and perhaps 20 or more with regular maintenance and repair, most warranties tend to fall in the 5-10-year range for parts, or perhaps parts and labor. Extended warranty options may be available through some manufacturers or for some models.
What Air Conditioner is the Most Energy Efficient?
You naturally want the most energy efficient AC unit to keep your costs low, but higher Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) ratings can equate to higher sticker price. Is it worth it? The EER is based on the wattage a unit consumes for the BTUs (British Thermal Units), with higher EER ratings amounting to greater energy efficiency. This will deliver savings on your energy costs over time, but it’s best to discuss this trade-off with your HVAC experts to determine what works best with your budget.
What Air Conditioners Qualify for Tax Credits?
Energy saving AC units may qualify for certain federal, state, or local tax credits, which you can discuss with your HVAC provider. The federal, Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit is available through 2021, and you may be eligible for various additional credits based on your state of residence or even your energy provider.