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Factors To Consider For Air Conditioner Installation | Dallas, TX
The investment in a new air conditioning system can be an exciting opportunity to see your home’s air quality improve, enjoy cooler temperatures, and even save money on energy costs all summer long. Air conditioner installation is a significant investment in your home. You are likely to rely on it heavily during the summer months, and if you choose well, it could last you for a decade or more. How do you know what to buy?
The Most Important Factors for Choosing a New Air Conditioner
Working with a company specializing in air conditioners is the most important factor when choosing one. They will provide insight into the best makes and models available and what is best suited for your home and personal needs. Schedule a consultation and inspection to learn more specifics about your system.
Some other factors that are likely to influence the decision on which air conditioner installation is best for your home include the following.
Air Conditioner Size
The size of the air conditioner for your home plays a role in overall cost but also efficiency. A system that is too small will have to work endlessly to maintain your desired temperature. That will raise your cooling costs. A system that is too big will work for a few minutes, turn off, and then need to come back on, cycling more often than is ideal for maintaining the system long term.
Getting the right size air conditioner installation requires considering your home’s size. In most cases, you should plan for 20 BTUs of power for every square foot of living space in your home. For example, if your home is 1000 to 1200 square feet, you likely need a system that offers 21,000 BTUs. BTUs, or British Thermal Units, is a term that describes the amount of energy necessary for the system to cool a pound of water with 1 degree Fahrenheit.
Often, with air conditioner installation, a description of “ton” is used to determine what the system can produce. A ton equals 12,000 BTUs of cooling within an hour. For example, a 2-ton air conditioner will create 24,000 BTUs each hour.
When considering the number of BTUs and tons you need, it is also best to consider other factors. For example, a well-insulated home may not need the highest level of protection. A home where there is a significant amount of open space, like high ceilings or numerous large windows, could need more power to compensate for those areas of potential loss.
Type of Air Conditioner
Another factor that plays a role in air conditioner installation selection is the actual type used. There are several types of systems that could be selected based on existing structural components and your budget.
- Split systems: This type of air conditioner is typically found in commercial property but could be in some homes as well. In a ductless split system, the property does not have ductwork already installed, and this type of system allows for the cooling of air within that space, such as in a non-ducted garage.
- Packaged systems: A packaged system is a more affordable option because it allows you to purchase a heating and cooling system together. They tend to be compact and easier to install as well.
- Hybrid systems: Some options are hybrid, which means they may have a heat pump or boiler along with the cooling system.
When considering these options in a hot area like, it can be a good idea to work with the sales team to determine which system is going to provide the best level of comfort for the size and style of home you have and, based on what is currently present.
Energy Efficiency
For those considering AC installation, efficiency is a big factor. Most of the time, air conditioning manufacturers will provide insight into how efficient they are. Some may be rated for their efficiency, making it a bit easier to compare models. The more efficient the system is, the lower your energy costs will be. At the same time, the more efficient the system, the higher the cost. Finding a balance is often necessary.
One of the ways you can determine energy efficiency is by looking for the appliance’s ENERGY STAR rating. A product with this rating meets the guidelines the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets for these systems. Those that are rated well tend to have a higher seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) and an energy efficiency ratio (EER). Many companies label their products with these ratings. In general, those that have these ratings are likely to use as much as 8% less energy than others.
HVAC manufacturers continue to produce more and more efficient systems. If your current system is more than 10 years old, air conditioner installation could result in a significant amount of savings if you choose a highly efficient system thanks to these improvements.
Energy efficiency translates into money savings every month on utility bills. It also means the system is using less energy, which means less demand on the environment as a whole. By choosing these models, you may be doing your part to reduce your carbon footprint and protect the environment.
Affordability
The investment in air conditioner installation has to be affordable for you as well. While most people want an energy efficiency system or one that offers lots of features, finding one that is cost-effective for you matters as well.
Prices for air conditioner installation will range widely based on the following:
- Size
- The manufacturer
- Energy efficiency
- Added features
- Warranties
Because of this, it helps to do a bit of comparison shopping to find out which solutions may be best suited for your individual needs. The goal should be to choose the most cost-effective option that provides the best balance of efficiency and reliability. Going with the cheapest model is not often the wise step to take.
Air Quality
Air quality considerations may be important to many property owners. Removing an old, dated system, one that is full of dust and debris, is going to improve the home’s air quality just for that reason. However, the air conditioner itself will not drastically improve the air quality on its own.
It may be beneficial to discuss options for air quality systems that may offer a higher level of purification to your indoor air. This may be valuable in situations where someone living in the home has allergies or asthma, or there have been concerns about mold.
One consideration about your air conditioner installation is the filters they use. Some have a higher MERV rating on them. That means they are able to pull out more of the particles in the air than others. The filter will have smaller holes that allow air to move through, blocking the passage of more debris into the air conditioner and into the home. When choosing a system, find out what the air filter MERV rating is and the cost of those filters, so you know what to expect.
Warranty and Durability
The investment in air conditioner installation is one you do not want to make very often. If you buy a high-quality system, it is less likely that you will have trouble with it as often. A good way to gauge this information is by looking at the product’s warranty.
Many times, air conditioner manufacturers will offer a long-term warranty. This could range from a few years to 10 or more. The longer the warranty, the less likely you have to worry about an expensive repair that you have to pay for out of pocket. Read through the warranty to know what is covered and what limitations exist.
The durability of an air conditioner is often dependent on how well it is built. If you narrow down the option between a few specific makes and models, do a review online for them. Do consumers seem to suggest they last a long time? Do they have a good rating in reviews? The more information you have on these factors, the better.
Additional Factors that Impact Air Conditioner Costs
As you consider new air conditioner installation, there are other elements that could impact the overall cost of the system and, ultimately, the system you select.
Ductwork Condition
With air conditioner installation, it is often a good idea to have the existing ductwork system inspected. This is the enclosed pathway that cooled air will travel through the walls and ceiling from the air conditioner to the rest of the home. Holes or breakdowns in it can limit overall efficiency. Have your contractor inspect it to determine the overall condition.
Installation Itself
The air conditioner installation will break down into two main components in terms of costs. That includes the actual price of the air conditioner and the labor costs or the cost you pay to have someone install it. Many factors can impact the overall labor cost as well.
For example, if you are moving the system from one area of the home to another, that may require a build-out that’s more expensive than keeping it where it is. If you have a ductless system now, you may wish to upgrade to a ducted system, especially if you are doing some home renovations now.
It is always important to choose well here. Get to know the air conditioning installation team to ensure they have a solid understanding of what they are doing. This is a big investment in your home. You do not want to have someone install it that does not have solid insight and skill to do so properly.
Added Equipment
You may be thinking about installing a more modern, comprehensive air conditioner. For example, some people have moved to include smart home features with their new air conditioner installation. You may want one that works with a smart thermostat or one that provides zoned control. These are all upgrades that could help improve the way the system fits your specific needs, especially in an area where you are likely to use it for 6 to 8 months a year.
How to Know Which One Is Best for You?
Air conditioner installation requires considering many aspects of the system and your home to determine which is the best overall investment. You do not have to make this decision on your own, though.
When you contact an air conditioner installation company, you can set up a time for them to come to your home to talk to you about your options. Use this time to ask questions and compare models. Some things to consider include the following:
- What size do they recommend for your home? Why?
- Which makes and models are most suitable for your space? What factors contribute to this?
- How much could the investment of one or the other help reduce your energy costs on a monthly basis?
- Should you consider a heating and air conditioner installation at the same time?
- What is the warranty – on parts and labor, and who backs it up?
- Who will be doing the installation work? Do they have training in the specific make and model?
This is a fantastic way to save money on your energy bills and improve the overall comfort of your home. Take the time to get the air conditioner installation done properly, though. That means working closely with a team to answer your questions and guide your decision-making.
Contact Our Team for a Consultation and Estimate
Find out if a new air conditioner installation could help you save money and improve the comfort of your home. Contact One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas to learn more about the options available to you. We can come to your home to provide a comprehensive inspection, make recommendations, and help you see the value of upgrading your system.
Check our most recent blog on this topic here.