Two Considerations When Choosing a New HVAC System

If you’re like most of us who live here in the Valley of the Sun, you probably just ignore your air conditioner, at least, that is, until it stops working. Then, you want it fixed, like now, like yesterday, if not sooner.

But taking the time to understand certain air conditioning terms before you fix (or especially replace) your air conditioner can make all the difference in your long-term electricity costs. Understanding the following two terms will allow you to save thousands of dollars next time you replace your unit.

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio

SEER is a measure of a system’s efficiency. The more efficient the system (higher SEER number), the cheaper it is to operate. (And more energy-efficient systems are also better for the environment, so it’s a win-win.) The U.S. Department of Energy states that 13 is the minimum SEER rating for systems produced today (some older ones have ratings of six or less). A unit with a SEER rating of 16 or more could save you about $415 a year (compared against an older, low-efficiency model).

As you might guess, higher-SEER models are also more expensive. The ideal balance for your home will depend on where you live and how often you use air conditioning.

Heat Pump

A traditional air conditioner uses a refrigerant cooling system. The coolant in the coils cools down the air, which is then forced into your home. As you might imagine, this takes a ton of energy.

A heat pump, on the other hand, actually pulls heat out of the air inside your home and dumps it outside. (It can also be used for heating by gathering warmth from outside and funneling it into your house.) This is a much more efficient way to transfer heat and can save you up to $750 a year.

Heat pumps are efficient enough for both cooling and heating in our milder climate. In general this works well in the Phoenix Metro area. You may want to consider a dual-fuel system, which uses the heat pump in spring, summer and fall, but runs a gas pack backup for the very coldest days during our December and January nights.

If you do choose a heat pump, do your research, as there are different types. A geothermal heat pump, for instance, uses the relatively stable temperature underground to provide heating and cooling, but these systems are quite pricey and are more difficult (think expensive) to retrofit to an existing home system.

Are you looking for fast and fair Heating or Air Conditioning Repair? Aaron’s Mechanical Services wants you to stay comfortable all year round.  Most important we want you to spend the least amount of money possible while you stay comfortable. If your Heating system or HVAC unit needs service or replacement please think of us and call at 623-388-4436 and we will come to you and solve your Heating System service needs.

Presented by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Services
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservices.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservices.com