Your air conditioner (A/C) is arguably the most important part of home comfort, so replacing it is a big deal. It’s important to plan out a replacement carefully in order to ensure a smooth transition. Here are four major things you need to think about before getting started on your A/C replacement:
- When is the best time to do a replacement? Start by considering the age of your A/C. You can often get about 12 to 14 years out of a well maintained unit, but if you’ve slacked on maintenance a bit you’re probably going to start seeing some issues around the 8 year mark. You should look for signs of performance issues like rising energy bills, ineffective cooling and regular breakdowns.
- Replace one part or the whole A/C? What happens if one part of your A/C is giving you grief? You might want to just replace that one part, like a damaged outdoor condenser unit since it would be cheaper than the whole system. However, having mismatched parts can result in poor system efficiency and performance. It’s almost always a good idea to replace the entire A/C system at the same time.
- What size of A/C is best? Bigger is NOT better. An oversized A/C will cost more upfront and perform inefficiently, which will cost you extra over time. An undersized A/C won’t have enough power to keep you comfortable. Luckily, trained HVAC technicians can complete accurate load calculations to find the perfect size for your home.
- What type of A/C is best? While you may end up picking the same type of A/C you already have, ask your contractor if there’s a better option. There are four main types of residential air conditioning, and the common split system, while the most popular, may not necessarily be the best choice for you.?
If you’re ready for your next A/C replacement for your Coastal Bend home, contact CCAC today.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about A/C replacements and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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