Air conditioners may look similar on the outside, but inside they are built very differently. Right now is the perfect time to get your air conditioner checked. Before it starts getting warm and your air conditioner starts running again, check your air conditioning system’s Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) – the higher the rating, the more efficiently and therefore less expensively your air conditioner will run. In 2006, 13 SEER became the minimum energy efficiency standard for air conditioning systems. Now, some air conditioners can achieve an energy efficiency rating  as high as 24.5 SEER! If your air conditioning unit is at least five years old, then most likely there is a newer air conditioner on the market that outperforms and is more energy efficient than the one you currently own.

Since your air conditioner is usually your home’s primary energy user during the warmer months, installing a new energy efficient air conditioning unit can go a long way toward lowering your energy costs. If you live in Montgomery County, Maryland or Washington, DC, and want to purchase or install a more energy efficient air conditioner for your home, contact Wheat & Sons today.

Things to consider before installing a new air conditioner

Before you install your new air conditioner, there are a few important things you should take into account.

Size of your air conditioner – The size of your air conditioner is based on a number of factors:

• How large your home is
• How many windows you have
• How much shade your home gets
• How much insulation you have
• How much air leaks out of your house
• How much heat your home’s occupants and appliances generate

Make sure your air conditioner is not too large, as it will cost more to purchase and will cycle on and off more frequently, providing inefficient cooling and causing your compressor and parts to wear out more quickly. In addition, an oversized air conditioner will not provide adequate moisture control. Your Wheat & Sons technician can look at your home and tell you exactly the size air conditioner you need to be as comfortable as possible.

Efficiency of your air conditioner – In general, higher efficiency air conditioners have larger upfront costs. However, the higher initial cost is usually repaid several times over during the unit’s lifespan. In addition, your utility company may encourage the purchase of a new high efficiency air conditioner by offering special rebates to offset the cost further. If you think you will use it often, or if your electricity rates are high, buying a more expensive, high efficiency furnace is a good investment that will pay off in the future.

Ready to replace your existing air conditioner and install a more energy efficient air conditioner? If you are located in Montgomery County, Maryland or NW Washington, DC, contact James A. Wheat & Sons today to learn more about our collection of air conditioning systems that will save you energy and money, while keeping you and your family cool all season long!