A heater, air conditioner or heat pump is an essential part of any home especially in areas with weather extremes. If you are outfitting a new house or replacing an old and broken AC or heat pump, you need to do a bit of research so you can get the best unit for your money. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a new heater, air conditioner or heat pump.
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio)This is the rating that tells you how energy efficient the unit is. Today’s heaters and AC units come with SEERs so that you can determine which is the most energy efficient for your price range. The minimum rating is 13 and the highest rating is 16. A rating of 15 is good and typically what you would find in mainstream units of heaters and AC units. This is a very important consideration since higher ratings mean that you can save up on energy bills down the road.
Capacity
Determine the capacity of the heater or AC unit to cool or heat a space. Smaller units are designed to heat or cool apartment or flat lay-outs that are not too wide and they are quieter and cheaper to run. Larger units are designed for entire homes, are more expensive and will cost more in maintenance.
Noise Level
Look at the unit’s Sound Rating Number to determine how quiet or how noisy the unit is. A rating of 6.8 is quiet and anything higher than that produces a noticeable sound. It is important to determine the noise levels especially if you live in an apartment complex and you do not want to bother neighbors with the sound of air conditioning all throughout the evening.
Maintenance Contracts
Your AC company can help you in choosing new air conditioner units and can offer maintenance contracts for the upkeep of your unit. Maintenance is essential to ensure that your system is functioning in optimal conditions. Your AC company can do regular clean-ups, function and system checks and can make repairs as needed.
Still unsure about how to pick the right unit for your home? Call us for help in choosing the right HVAC product.
