In order to make a good decision when you have to replace the A/C in your Fresno area home, it’s important to know two key issues regarding these systems, size and efficiency. Choosing one that’s ideal for your home will make a difference in your comfort and budget for years to come.
Size
The first step in choosing the best air conditioning system for your home involves calculating its cooling load. In addition to cubic footage and number of levels, factors such as your home’s exposure to the sun, insulation levels in the walls and attic, and air leaks will all be considered.
The HVAC contractor will calculate the cooling load using a protocol called Manual J, and the report should give you ideas about how to increase your home’s energy efficiency. This will reduce the size of the system you need, decreasing the purchase price and monthly energy bills.
Precise sizing is crucial, since a system that’s too large will short-cycle, drive up energy bills and increase maintenance costs. When the A/C short-cycles, it runs in brief periods that stress all the parts in the A/C system, plus it won’t remove as much humidity. It’s actually better to choose a slightly smaller system when you replace the A/C in your home.
Efficiency
Over the years, air conditioning efficiency has improved substantially. The minimum SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) now stands at 13 in the United States. If you’re replacing a system more than 10 years old, you’ll see substantial savings on your electric bills with a high-efficiency A/C (which usually start at SEER 16). If you want greater savings and more comfort, choose a system that has upgraded features such as a variable-speed blower in the air handler or a dual-speed compressor in the outdoor condenser, both of which raise cooling efficiency.
For more information when you decide to replace the A/C in your Fresno home, please contact us at Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning. We’ve provided superior HVAC services for the Fresno area for more than 40 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Fresno, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about replacing your A/C system and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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