Choosing The Right Central Air Conditioning Unit For Your Home

As the hot days of summer start to appear, it can quickly become apparent that room fans blowing hot air around simply don't cut the heat. If you're considering upgrading to a central air conditioning system there are two different kinds of systems to pick from. A package system is rare and probably not the one most home owners will be using. The more common type is the split system that places components of the air conditioning system in the home while other parts are placed outside of the home.

Before you can select the actual unit you will purchase you will need to know what size of unit will fit your home needs. If the unit is too large it will leave the air feeling clammy and wet- not cold and if the unit is too small it won't make much of a dent in the hot air at all. In order to calculate the size of unit needed a contractor can do a heat gain calculation and recommend the size you will need.

Many factors come into play that will ultimately affect what size of air conditioning installation unit your home will require including the size of your home, how old the home is, how insulated the attic and walls are and the type and placement of windows and doors. To get the most efficient use of central air it is important that your home be well insulated. Older homes or homes that are poorly insulated should be insulated better to help the ac work well and be more energy efficient.

But it's not just a matter of putting more insulation layers in the attic or walls. There are other ways energy is lost through the home that many home owners don't consider such as leaky seals around windows and doors, and windows that are not energy efficient and allow hot air in and cold air out. It is well worth the upgrade to ensure the whole home is properly insulated to make your energy bill lower and enjoy all of the benefits a central air system can offer.

And since most systems in the United States require a duct system to deliver the cool air throughout the house this is another source of potential energy loss. If the ducts for the cooling system aren't sufficiently sealed and working properly the air conditioning unit will be working over-time to get the cold air through the system effectively.

Even conditions outside of the home can affect how well your air conditioning installation works. Having a home protected from the suns direct rays with landscaping and overhanging trees can make the job of your central air unit easier.

Since there are so many factors that can influence how well your system works make sure to have a contractor who specializes in central air conditioning installation units advise you of what size will work best for your home and check your home's insulation needs before you go any further in the process to select a unit that is right for you.