How to Select the Best Air Conditioner for Your New Home

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Whether you’ve just bought a new or previously owned home, choosing the best air conditioner for it is a decision that will affect your budget and comfort for years to come.  The wrong air conditioning system may provide inadequate cooling or dehumidification, or may simply cost an arm and a leg to run.  When you’re ready to make the leap to a new air conditioner system, make sure you address each of these items to find the best system possible:

Packaged or Split System.  Central air conditioners come in two main formats, either with the evaporator and condenser coils packaged in one housing unit, or with the parts separated.  When they’re split, the condenser sits outside and the evaporator is indoors, inside the air handler.  A packaged system is typically used when you desire a roof-mounted unit, which frees up a small yard for landscaping or other activities; a split system is a more common configuration, but takes up real estate on the ground and in your home.

Cooling Capacity.  Air conditioners are rated based on their ability to cool in units known as tons.  A ton is a measure of how much heat the air conditioner can remove from a home in one hour — one ton is equal to 12,000 BTUs of heat — but just because an air conditioner can remove more heat from a home doesn’t mean it will.  It’s vital that your new air conditioner is carefully matched to your home’s size.  Your air conditioning professional will perform specific calculations that will help determine the right size unit for your home, based on the cubic footage being cooled, available shade, and a variety of other factors.

Efficiency Rating.  When you take proper care of your unit, it can be expected to last up to 20 years.  Because of the longevity of quality air conditioning unit, it’s important to look for an efficient one that will save you money over the long haul.  Efficiency is measured by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), which is calculated by comparing the cooling output during an average season to the total electrical use during the same period.  A higher number means more cool air for your electric dollar.

Currently, 13 SEER is the lowest efficiency available, but in 2015, 14 SEER will be the new standard.  Newer refrigerants have made it possible to achieve greater and greater SEER, in excess of 20 SEER in many split systems.  If you will be in your home for the majority of the life of your unit, splurging on the most efficient unit you can afford will save you a lot of money over time.

Increasing the Efficiency of Your New Unit

Placing your new energy-efficient unit properly and using it appropriately can increase your energy savings even further.  If you’re looking to get everything you can out of your new unit, install a programmable thermostat to cut air conditioner use when you’re not home and install ceiling fans to spread cool air around, making your home feel chillier at higher temperatures.  Many homeowners find they’re perfectly comfortable setting their air conditioners at 78 degrees if they have plenty of fans.

Placing sun-blocking shades on windows that face the sun, shading your air conditioner and planning for the long term by planting trees around your home can further increase your air conditioner’s efficiency.  When you’re not bringing extra heat into your home, your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard, saving you lots of electricity throughout the summer.

Choosing a new air conditioner for your home isn’t rocket science.  By knowing exactly what you need, you can ensure that your money is well spent on a unit that will cool your home for years to come, for significantly less than your old system.

Precision September 12, 2017

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I wanted to make sure my air conditioner was ready for summer. Fernando came out and made sure my unit was tip top. He was friendly, professional and not a sales man. Thanks Fernando!
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Brett Walker
Colin and Andrea were incredibly professional and knowledgeable. They did a great job representing the company. We will definitely contact them again for any HVAC needs that arise.
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Jackie Barkenhagen
We woke up in the middle of the nite on memorial day to a hot house. I called precision at 6am and they were here before noon. Simple problem fixed, cool house. I love these guys!
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Thank you Ray at Precision Air...the compressor on our AC went out last night and the house was HOT. This morning Ray was there to replace the compressor and had us feeling the cool air again in no time. Great customer service...quick response time and friendly from the first call until the repair was completed. Ray even offered to clean the filters! Thank you!!
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Jeneen Piche
I’m so glad I called Precision for my annual AC checkup!! Austin was professional, super friendly and answered all my questions. I’ve had more bad experiences with AC companies here in the valley than good ones. Precision Air will have all my hvac business going forward!! Thanks for being a reputable and honest company!!!
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He did a great job; professional and knowledgeable! Kalin is the technician’s name and Precision Air and Plumbing should take a bow for hiring such an invaluable employee!!!
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Precision Air is a company of integrity. I signed up with them August 1st, 2019 for their AC maintenance plan for 2 years... Someone from their office called me a week ago to set up their yearly maintenance visit. SO GRATEFUL.
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Precision Air and Plumbing is a wonderful company to work with! They are very experienced and professional. They have helped us in our home for many years via a/c service and air duct cleaning.
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It was time to replace our AC, and so our choice was Precision Air, as we've been with them for over 20 years. Teman & Julian did an excellent job on the installation today, arriving on time.
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