Home Improvement

Finding the Right AC System for Your Texas Home

Everything eventually wears out, including your central air conditioning system. If you are not an AC expert, finding a central AC replacement Austin might be a bit confusing. Knowing about things like SEER rating and size requirements can help you make a more accurate, informed decision.

What Is SEER Rating?

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. It gives a high number to very energy-efficient units and a low number to those that are not. The more effectively the unit uses energy, the less expensive it will be to run. The U.S. Department of Energy sets a minimum SEER rating. They have steadily raised the minimum rating every year for the last ten years, so HVAC Austin companies who manufacture units have to continue to improve their ratings.

Other Energy Saving Features 

There are a few other energy-saving features that can help you decide on an HVAC unit. Larger coils, variable blower speed and a fan only switch will help you achieve the low cost, high-efficiency rating that you desire.

Size Matters

You need to make sure that you have the right size air conditioner for your home. Too big or too small will cause issues later on. This does not mean the unit’s actual size, although you certainly do want one that fits where you need it. In this case, size refers to the amount of hot or cold air the unit can push out.

The size of the unit is measured in BTUs. BTUs measure the amount of air in tons per hour. One BTU is the energy a unit needs to raise a pound of water by one degree, and a ton is 12,000 per hour. Incidentally, this refers to melting a one-ton block of ice in a day.

Larger capacity air conditioners are not necessarily a better deal. Remember, the larger the unit or the more BTUs, the more expensive the unit is to both purchase and run.

The best way to estimate how many BTUs or tons you need is one ton for every 600 square feet of air-conditioned space. So, for a 1,200 square foot home, you will need a 2-ton air conditioner. If your house is well insulated and newer, you could possibly go with a smaller, less expensive air conditioning unit.

Choosing the proper air conditioning unit for your home is a big decision. It is very important to make sure that the SEER and size ratings are right for your particular living space.

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