Air Conditioning Replacement

Air Conditioning Replacement

Like any appliance, air conditioning replacement happens because air conditioners have a certain life span. Even if your unit has been properly maintained, it will eventually wear out. Consequently, a 10-year-old air conditioner has reached its life expectancy and may need to be replaced. Therefore, you may want to consider replacing your old, inefficient unit. Specifically, with a new, more energy-efficient one. This will save you money in the long run, because newer units run much more efficiently. Upgrading to a high-efficiency air conditioner, along with taking other actions to keep your home cool could reduce your air conditioning energy use by 20, 30 even 50%.

Actually, the most common type of central air conditioning unit features a large condenser outside the home and a fan-and-coil system inside, linked by pipes that carry refrigerant. The air is distributed through ductwork. Therefore, since not every home can accommodate the ductwork required for central air, the split ductless system is an option, which does require ductwork. Technically, while a split ductless system is not central air, the cooling it provides can make it feel as such.

AC Replacement & When to pull the plug on your old AC unit

Signs your AC unit needs to be replaced

You should highly consider Air Conditioner Replacement if…

• Your current unit is 12 years old or more
• You noticed that your electric bill has increased during the months your AC unit is in use
• It seems like your AC Unit appears to be inefficient or running poorly
• Your home doesn’t seem as cool as it used to be or perhaps it doesn’t heat properly
• Your Air Conditioning Unit is only bringing the temperature down like it should
• You notice that your home isn’t cooling or heating uniformly
• You are paying for too many AC Repairs

Choosing a new AC Replacement unit

One size does not fit all

Knowing the square footage of your home is not enough to determine what size your AC Replacement unit should be. HVAC contractors should always make a proper load calculation. First, a calculation that takes into account not only your square footage, but also the size and shape of your home. In addition, the orientation of your home, the climate your home is located in, and the type of insulation in your home. Also, the size and type of windows you have, how many windows you have, the material your house is made of, and any other relevant factors.  Lastly, they should also check existing seals, vents, and ductwork to locate and estimate any air leakage.

Check the ductwork when doing an AC Installation

If the ductwork has numerous leaks, the HVAC contractor should also advise you to either repair the leaks or replace the ductwork. Consequently, this calculation should never be skipped because upgrades and additions to your home need to be taken into consideration. By contrast, the aging and deterioration of your home could change the outcome of the calculation. Not surprisingly, this will result in a different-sized unit needed to replace your existing one. Once this load calculation is complete, you will be told the correct unit size your home needs. Do not get an ac replacement unit too powerful for your home thinking that more power is better because it will actually cause more harm than good. A unit that can cool your home in five to ten minutes will seem great in theory, but the ideal AC Replacement unit should run for about 30 minutes in order to do its job completely.

Humidity is no one’s friend

The Secondary Purpose of an AC Replacement Unit

An AC Replacement unit’s purpose isn’t just to cool the air, it is also to dehumidify the air. Consequently, the AC units pull air from your home through the intake (the place where your air filter is) and passes the air over the evaporator coil. Next, the evaporator coil should be cold enough to drop the air’s temperature about 20° F and keep the coil below the dew point. Eventually, causing the humidity in the air to condense onto the coil.  If the AC Replacement unit is oversized, the AC unit will shut off before enough condensation can build up to drop down to the pan below the coil.  Once in the pan, enough water must build for the water to begin draining outside.

Importantly, if the AC unit doesn’t run long enough for this process to occur, then not only will the air barely have been dehumidified, but the water that did manage to condense can then evaporate back into your home. Consequently, leaving your home right where it started in terms of humidity. Not surprisingly, this won’t be the only problem that occurs though, nor is it the worst problem. The unit itself will also degrade more quickly. Ultimately, because an oversized AC unit will only run for brief periods of time, the AC unit will have to click on and off more frequently, severely shortening the life of the unit and leading to more frequent repairs—a situation no homeowner wants when a new AC unit is expected to be more efficient and eliminate repairs costs.

AC Installation Units that work smarter, not harder

Understanding EER and SEER ratings

The Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) compares the output cooling energy into the home to the input electrical energy at a specific operating point.  The operating point commonly used is an outside temperature of 95° F, an indoor temperature of 80° F, and 50% relative humidity.  Because this calculation, the EER, is based on fixed conditions, the SEER rating will give you a better idea of the AC Unit’s efficiency.

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) uses the typical weather in a given location in its calculation.  The same EER Indoor temperature of 80° F is used, but the outside temperature and relative humidity used in the calculation will depend on where the AC unit is expected to be installed.  Air conditioners between 10-15 years old will usually have a SEER rating of 9 or 10.  New central air conditioners range from 13 SEER to 23 SEER, the higher SEER ratings indicating a much more efficient AC unit, using less energy than units with lower SEER ratings.

Once the size of the AC Replacement unit needed is calculated, you must then decide on the quality of the AC unit you are going to purchase.  An AC Unit with a low SEER rating will obviously be cheaper, but spending a little more money for a unit with a higher SEER rating will provide you with much greater savings on your energy costs.  Be sure to ask your HVAC contractor about the SEER rating of the unit before they conduct the AC installation.  Be sure that the AC Unit you choose will meet your energy efficiency expectations.

WHY KING HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING IS YOUR BEST CHOICE:

A DOZEN SMART REASONS TO COUNT ON KING FOR YOUR AC & HEATING NEEDS:

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