Five Things to Consider When Choosing a New AC Unit

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1.   Efficiency
Look at the system’s EnergyStar rating to see how much energy you can expect to pay during a typical year. While more efficient systems often cost more initially, over time they are a good investment and will result in lower operating costs.

2.    Reliability
A new air conditioner is a big investment, so it’s important to choose a system that will provide years of reliable operation with the least amount of service related costs. Chooses products from a reputable manufacturer with a long history in the industry.

3.   Quiet Operation
While air conditioners are becoming quieter, they can still produce noise as high as 80 decibels. Look for features like variable speed operation, which can reduce noise significantly.

4.   Humidity Control
To maintain proper humidity levels, choose a thermostat that controls both temperature and humidity. You might also consider a comfort system with a dehumidifier.

5.   Healthy Indoor Air
If you have pets or someone in your household suffers from allergies or respiratory problems, adding a whole house air cleaner to your furnace or air handler will capture the small containments in every room of your home.

The Advantages of Zoning

Zoning simply means segmenting rooms and levels of the home into environments that can be adjusted separately to specific temperature requirements. If one family member prefers to sleep in an ice cold upstairs bedroom, occupants on the lower levels can control their own thermostat rather than piling on extra clothing.

By working with your home’s HVAC system, zoning will increase, reduce, or shut off heating and cooling in each zone by opening and closing dampers located inside the air ducts. A programmable thermostat on an inside wall regulates damper function, allowing each zone to be climate controlled separately.

Zoning will not maintain comfort levels in all areas of the home. It will significantly reduce home energy use and utility costs. When properly set up, a home zoning system can pay for itself in as little as three years.