Buying a new central air conditioner is a complicated decision for homeowners, especially if someone has never shopped for HVAC equipment before.
Upon making right choice, rewards are a comfortable home, potentially lower energy bills, and a cooling system that won’t break down prematurely. If one makes the wrong choice, one may face higher installation costs, untimely air conditioner repairs, expensive energy bills, and a cooling system that may not cool the home efficiently or effectively.
Basics of AC installation
Enercare presents four steps to simplify the central AC buying experience and help in making a great choice. First, it is necessary to cover the basics of AC installation to make sure a central air conditioner is a good fit for the house.
To support a central cooling system, the house must have a furnace or air handler with ductwork. Installing a new air conditioner in a home with existing properly sized ductwork will cost approximately $3,500-$6,000 depending on size, efficiency, AC unit type and personal preferences. If there is no infrastructure to support a central unit, a professional may be called to install ductwork. With the basics covered, Enercare dives into the steps one should take to choose a central air conditioner.
Step 1: Size of Air Conditioner
To find the perfect AC unit for a house, there are nearly a dozen factors to consider that can make a significant impact on comfort and energy bills.
The biggest factor for determining an ideal unit size is how large house is, but one also must consider:
- The age of the house
- Construction materials
- Airflow and duct size tolerances
- The number and size of windows
- Insulation amount, type and age
- How much sun the house gets and where the sun strikes
Different cooling needs
Even two homes with identical floor plans and building materials can have different cooling needs
Even two homes with identical floor plans and building materials can have different cooling needs. For example, nearby trees could add additional shade to one house and not the other, which means one house is naturally cooler than its neighbor.
These factors can make-or-break how effective an air conditioner is and what unit size to choose.
Air conditioners are measured in tons which describes the cooling capacity. To get a rough estimate on the size of ac unit needed, home’s square footage with AC unit cooling capacity can be compared.
Providing adequate cooling
A one-ton AC unit provides adequate cooling for roughly 600-800 square feet.
Most central air conditioners start at 1.5 tons and increase in half-ton increments. In Ontario, the average single-family home is 1,520 square feet, so one is likely looking to buy a 2.0-ton unit.
To discover the best cooling solutions for a house —with every factor accounted for—scheduling a free air conditioner consultation with Enercare’s HVAC experts can be suggested.
Installing Wrong AC Unit Size
Choosing the correct size air conditioning unit can impact equipment’s lifespan
Choosing the correct size air conditioning unit can impact equipment’s lifespan, energy expenses, and comfort.
An undersized unit can’t keep up with heat and humidity removal, while an oversized unit won’t allow the cooling system to run long enough to dehumidify the whole home. Both undersized and oversized units cause uneven air distribution, and higher energy and repair costs.
Undersized Unit challenges:
- Constantly running leads to greater wear and tear
- Higher energy costs
- Shorter equipment lifespan
- Inability to provide enough cooling
Oversized Unit challanges:
- Higher installation costs
- AC is not running long enough, causing more breakdowns
- Not enough dehumidification – the house will feel cold but clammy
- Large temperature swings
Step 2: Type of Central AC
The next step is to choose among the three common types of central AC units in Canada. The most notable differences between each type are price points and energy efficiency.
Types of Central Air Conditioners:
- Single-Stage Condensers: Single-stage condensers are either off or operating at full capacity. Single-stage air conditioners can be a great entry-level choice, but if high-efficiency option is needed, this may not be the right fit for the house.
- Dual-Stage Condensers: If an air conditioner that operates in two modes is needed, one may consider a dual-stage unit. Dual-stage air conditioners run at a lower or higher rate depending on the weather. These settings help the air conditioner run more efficiently than a single-stage unit and cost less than a variable speed unit. If someone is looking to make an upgrade to a dual-stage condenser, an HVAC expert should be checking that the indoor furnace or air handler, evaporator coil and thermostat are compatible.
- Variable Speed Condensers: Variable speed air conditioners run throughout the day in longer cycles instead of shutting on and off to match the desired temperature. Variable speed units offers a better energy efficiency than the other two types but are the priciest of the three choices. To install this type of condenser, one needs to have a matched system. A matched system is one where the condenser, furnace/air handler, evaporator coil and thermostat have been made by the same manufacturer and are designed to work together.
Step 3: Energy Efficiency Rating
When it comes to budget, it is important to understand how energy efficiency is measured
Energy-efficient equipment tends to cost more money upfront, but down the line, an efficient cooling system can reduce monthly energy bills and carbon footprint.
When it comes to budget, it is important to understand how energy efficiency is measured in order to find the right balance for needed.
Energy Efficiency Measurement
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) uses various seasonal temperatures to measure how efficient an air conditioning equipment or system is, similar to the kilometers-per-liter rating for a car.
Some air conditioners come with an EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio). An EER is comparable to SEER but uses a steady outdoor temperature to calculate the air conditioner’s efficiency.
The higher the equipment’s SEER and EER rating, the more energy-efficient the AC unit is, and the more comfortable the house will be. The most commonly installed units in Ontario range from 13-16 SEER, but ultimately, unit’s energy rating comes down to personal preference.
Step 4: Choosing a Provider
An AC installer must have product knowledge and experience with HVAC systems
Now that the various central air conditioner sizes, types, and energy ratings are understood, it is time to choose a provider.
An AC installer must have product knowledge and experience with HVAC systems and be able to walk the user through the steps outlined in this article.
Before an installation contract is signed, learning about the company’s installation services, costs of service, payment options, and warranties is recommended.
Here is a list of licenses an installer must have:
- Gas license
- 313a refrigeration or 313d residential air conditioning license
- Ozone Depletion Prevention (ODP) license
- ESA permits
