Things To Consider When Replacing A/C

The SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), developed by the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute, is an important tool for evaluating the efficiency of a central air conditioner. Provided by the manufacturer in standard product information, the SEER is derived by dividing the total BTUs of energy produced over a normal cooling season by the total kilowatt hours of electricity consumed. Air conditioners manufactured today have SEER ratings ranging from 13 to 24, with the higher number representing the greatest efficiency. Higher SEER ratings generally imply higher upfront purchase expense, too. However, lifetime savings can easily offset increased initial investment. Your HVAC contractor can help you strike a balance between these two considerations.

In addition to SEER rating, keep these factors in mind when replacing your cooling system:

• High-temperature ratings (known as EER) are helpful when evaluating air conditioner efficiency during the dog-day periods of intense usage. The higher the EER number, the better
• A variable-speed air handler uses less energy than a conventional one-speed, full-go handler. It adapts its speed to the conditions in your home and provides better air filtration and humidity control
• Make sure the new unit has a fan-only mode. On cool nights, this option enables you to circulate air through the HVAC ducts instead of running the A/C and can result in significant cost savings
• Scheduled filter replacement is vital to the air flow that gives your new cooling system its efficiency edge. Choose a unit with a filter replacement light to remind you when a filter change is due
• Every time your air conditioning system stops, residual cool air is stranded in the ducts. An automatic fan delay feature on a new unit will keep the blower running a few minutes after the compressor shuts down, purging the ducts of conditioned air that otherwise would be wasted

Kevin Hansen

Kevin was a comfort consultant for All Comfort Services for eight years and retired in 2023. He is happy he found a company that fit his customer service philosophy. “I wanted to work for a company that puts the customer first, and All Comfort Services does that,” says Kevin. He says that often homeowners don’t think of the importance of buying home equipment as a long-term investment as corporations do. And he says that home equipment has changed in the 10-15 years, and he wants to help educate customers about the benefits of choosing the newest high-efficient and high-performance solutions to meet their home comfort needs.
Kevin has degrees in Marketing and Management. His career spans over 25 years in air handling and fluid dynamics for commercial, municipal, and industrial applications. While supporting engineers with sales and equipment, he also learned how to help solve problems such as salvage and reuse of wastewater. He learned how to be innovative and provide solutions that often involved chemistry, physics, and biology. His past work experience helps him every day to observe and listen. He says the best reward for his work is a satisfied customer.