It doesn’t matter where you live—summers are downright unbearable without air conditioning. Fans and open windows do little to keep your cool. All it does is give you a warm, uncomfortable breeze. Before long, your home is the same temperature inside as it is outdoors.
When your AC is blowing out warm air, constantly cycling, or even worse—it doesn’t kick on at all, it’s time for you to get a replacement unit. However, when it’s time to replace your air conditioner do you know what to consider? Keep reading to learn more about what to keep in mind when shopping for this summer staple.
Step Away from Freon
Yes, freon is a thing of the past—this refrigerated gas is being phased out due to environmental concerns. All air conditioning units manufactured from 2020 onward are freon-free. But, don’t worry if your old AC still has at least one more summer left in it. You can still get a Freon charge, but it’s going to be expensive since the gas is no longer manufactured in the United States.
This means forgetting about saving some money on a refurbished air conditioner. It can be a cost-effective option until you run into problems finding a service company still supplying Freon to its customers.
Instead, it makes more sense to purchase a slightly more expensive unit that runs on R410A or Puron. Both perform the same function as Freon and have less of an impact on the environment. You can stay cool in the summer and do something good for the planet.
Are You Using a Window Unit?
It’s not uncommon for homeowners to run both an indoor and outdoor air conditioner. Indoor AC units are typically either placed in the window or on the floor. If you’re not ready to replace both at the same time—it can be expensive—you want to make sure the two systems work together.
It means checking the components of each unit to ensure they are similar. When the two air conditioning systems aren’t working together you end up with high electrical bills.
Consider a Smart Air Conditioner
It’s not surprising that smart technology is available in air conditioners. As the technology advances so does its many applications, including keeping your home at a comfortable temperature.
Some newer homes are built with integrated smart technology, which can control everything in your home from the lights to your kitchen appliances. It can even preheat the oven as you’re driving home from work. It can also adjust the temperature in the house. So, instead of walking into an uncomfortably warm home, yours is comfortably cool.
The technology can work in a couple of different ways. First, you can preset the smart thermostat to your desired temperature. Then at the preset time, the thermostat ‘tells’ the air conditioner to kick on.
You can also adjust the thermostat remotely using a compatible app; simply download the app to your smartphone or tablet and you can control your HVAC system from anywhere you have a WiFi connection.
Energy Efficiency is Key
Before settling on a new air conditioner, consider its energy efficiency rating. It’s the SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and you want it to be at or above 14. The higher the SEER number the more you can save on your utility bills—it’s the main consideration when you are replacing your old air conditioner.
By keeping all of these tips in mind when you’re shopping around, you’ll be well prepared to find a solid air conditioner that’s designed to help keep you cool for many summers to come.