When the weather outside is hot and humid, you last want your home to be the same. To avoid this, you need a reliable air conditioner. But with so many different types and models on the market, how do you know which one is right for your home?
You want a comfortable air conditioner for your home to help combat the summer heat outdoors. Depending on where you live, you could see significant temperatures in the summer rising above 90 degrees. There are many factors to consider when purchasing an air conditioner, but the primary consideration should be comfort. Aside from this, you will need to think about things such as the size of your home, the number of people in your house, and the climate where you live. Keep reading to find out how to choose the right air conditioner for your home.
Unit and Home Size
When it comes to air conditioning, size does matter. The size of your home will determine the size of the air conditioning unit you need. If you have a small home, you don’t need a large air conditioning unit; if you have a large house, you don’t need a small air conditioning unit.
Air conditioning units cool based on a British Thermal Unit (BTUs) measurement. One BTU is the amount of energy it takes to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. The size of the air conditioning unit you need will depend on the size of your home. A central air conditioning unit is measured in tonnage. One ton is the amount of cooling capacity required to cool 12,000 BTUs.
Central air conditioning units are available in 1-ton, 1.5-ton, 2-ton, and 3-ton sizes. A 1-ton central air conditioning unit is suitable for a home up to 1,500 square feet. A 1.5-ton central air conditioning unit is suitable for a home up to 2,000 square feet. A 2-ton central air conditioning unit is ideal for a home up to 2,500 square feet. A 3-ton central air conditioning unit is ideal for a home up to 3,500 square feet. You may need a larger central air conditioning unit if you have a larger home. You can find central air conditioning units up to 5 tons in size.
SEER Rating
When purchasing an air conditioning unit, the SEER rating is something you will want to consider. The SEER rating, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, measures an AC unit's energy efficiency. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient the AC unit is.
The SEER rating measures the cooling efficiency of an AC unit. It is calculated by measuring the amount of energy needed to cool a space during the peak of the season in a particular area. The SEER rating is critical because it can help you save money on your energy bills. A higher SEER rating means that the AC unit is using less energy to cool your space, which means lower energy bills.
Depending on your climate, you might need to investigate units with higher ratings. A more efficient AC unit will be critical in areas with high summer temperatures. The new governmental standards enacted by the US Department of Energy and effective in 2023 will require a specific seasonal energy efficiency ratio for all AC equipment. The new standards require a rating of no less than 14 for systems in the northern part of the United States and 15 in the southern part of the United States.
Once you've considered these factors, it's time to start shopping for an air conditioner. The best place to start is by reading reviews of different models online. This will give you an idea of which models are most popular and have the highest consumer ratings. Once you've narrowed down your choices, go into stores and test out different models until you find one that feels comfortable enough for you and fits within your budget.
