Air
Conditioners
When choosing an air conditioner,
consider the following
- Life expectancy of
equipment
Depends on the quality of equipment and
the quality of installation. Poor
installation greatly reduces the life of
your unit. Equipment life expectancy
varies immensely, from 5 years (poor
installation and low end equipment) to
as long as 20 years or more (high end
equipment and quality installation).
Trane air conditioners last a minimum of
15 years and projected to last as high
as 25 years or more.
- Efficiency
Efficiency is
based on the SEER rating (refer to Heat
Pumps) as well as how the unit was
installed. When the unit is installed in
a variable furnace (refer to Furnaces)
the efficiency of the air conditioner
increases. The efficiency of
the air conditioner is directly related
to the efficiency of your existing
furnace.
- Durability
When investing in an air
conditioner, consider the abuse the unit
may take. The unit you choose should
withstand your children playing on it,
pets, weedwackers, Mother Nature and
everything else that may befall it.
Choosing an air conditioner that has a
wraparound metal casing is
essential.
- Appearance
The metal
casing on many air conditioners have a
tendency to rust and the colors
fade. Equipment that does not have a
metal wraparound casing leaves the coils
exposed. These coils are easily damaged
causing loss of efficiency and will
leave the unit looking unsightly.
Consider what the unit will look like in
the years to come.
- Is it properly
sized?
Properly sized equipment
will add to the life expectancy of your
unit. To ensure a correctly sized air
conditioner, a heat load (refer to Heat
Load) is highly recommended. Most of the
wear and tear on the unit happens during
start up. Oversized equipment has short
"on" times, which means that over sized
equipment spends most of its "on" time
in start up.
- Will it operate
quietly?
If noise is a
factor in your decision process, look
for quality equipment. Another option is
to install the unit in a location that
will least effect you. To be sure a
particular brand runs quietly, ask to
see a unit in operation. High Seer
ratings are usually accompanied by
quieter running equipment.
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