As the scorching summer heat approaches, finding the right air conditioner for your Kansas City home becomes a top priority. Determining the size of your air conditioner is crucial for efficient cooling and optimal comfort. Your air conditioner size is determined based on a number of factors, so you can’t just pick the cheapest air conditioner available. In this blog, Top Notch Heating and Cooling explores the important factors to consider when shopping for a new air conditioner, discusses alternative cooling system options, and emphasizes the importance of professional AC installation.
Important Factors to Consider When Shopping For a New Air Conditioner
Selecting the appropriate size for your air conditioner is essential to ensure efficient and cost-effective cooling. Here are some factors to consider:
- Square Footage: The size of your home plays a vital role in determining the AC size. A larger space requires a more powerful unit to cool effectively, while a smaller home may require a smaller unit. You need to factor in the total square footage to find a system that will provide ample cooling for your home. An air conditioner that is too large for your home will use too much power, while one that is too small will run constantly. Finding the right size air conditioner that is proportional to the size of your home will keep operating costs affordable and your home comfortable.
- Insulation: The quality of insulation in your home affects the cooling requirements. Well-insulated homes retain cool air better, requiring a smaller AC unit, while poorly insulated homes demand a larger unit to compensate for the heat infiltration. In addition, you should also have your ductwork inspected before having an air conditioner installed. Leaky and broken ducts can cause a large amount of energy loss.
- Climate: The climate in your region influences the cooling load on your AC system. Hotter climates generally necessitate a higher cooling capacity.
- Number of Occupants: The number of people residing in your home affects the cooling needs. Additional occupants increase the heat load, which may require a larger AC unit.
- Energy Efficiency: Every air conditioner will have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio or SEER rating on it. This will determine how much energy your air conditioner will need to cool a home. However, systems with higher SEER ratings are often more expensive. Many people don’t mind paying more upfront for a new cooling system because they will reap the savings on their energy bills in the long run.
Other Cooling System Options
In addition to traditional central air conditioners, there are alternative HVAC systems that can cool your home very efficiently that are worth considering:
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps offer both cooling and heating capabilities, making them a versatile option. They operate by transferring heat instead of generating it, resulting in energy efficiency and potential cost savings.
Ductless Mini Splits
Ideal for homes without existing ductwork, ductless mini splits provide zoned cooling solutions. These systems consist of an outdoor unit and individual indoor units, allowing you to control the temperature in specific areas of your home.
When you’re shopping around for a new HVAC system, it’s important to consider all of your options. Many people don’t realize that they have options for cooling systems outside of air conditioners. Talk to Top Notch to see if sticking with an AC system is your best choice, or if now is a good time to switch to a new HVAC unit.
AC Installation is Not a DIY Job
While some home improvement projects can be tackled as do-it-yourself projects, AC installation is best left to professionals. Air conditioning installation involves electrical work and refrigerant handling, which can be dangerous without proper knowledge and experience. Professionals have the expertise to handle these tasks safely. You also want to enlist the help of a professional HVAC company to make sure your system’s warranty is valid. Incorrect or improper installation can void your AC’s warranty.
It’s also important to get quotes from multiple HVAC companies when looking for a quality installer. A professional company will provide you with a Manual j calculation to find the right air conditioner size for your home. If they do not provide this calculation for you or multiple companies recommend varying-sized AC units, you should seek out more estimates. A quality estimate should be comprehensive and transparent, and the HVAC services company you choose should be able to tell you what you can expect from future energy bills once the system is installed. Getting multiple estimates can also give you competitive pricing and a sample of what each business’ customer service is like. There are many HVAC service companies around the Kansas City area, so make sure Top Notch is one of the ones you call.
Call Top Notch for an Estimate on a New Air Conditioner For Your Kansas City, KS Home
Selecting the right air conditioner for your home can be a daunting task. Top Notch specializes in helping homeowners find the perfect size AC unit to meet their cooling needs. Our experienced technicians will assess your home’s requirements, consider the important factors we discussed, and recommend an appropriately sized AC unit. With our expertise, you can be confident in choosing an efficient, reliable, and cost-effective cooling solution for your home.
Remember, professional AC installation is essential for safety, warranty protection, and optimal performance. Contact Top Notch Heating and Cooling, and let us help you find the perfect air conditioner for your home. Stay cool and comfortable all summer long!
