Almost eighty percent of the new U.S. houses are installing central air conditioning units while construction. The reason why most people are opting for this is that the central unit keeps the room temperature in a comfortable level as it filters and dehumidifies the air. This system is all the more beneficial for those who have allergies or asthma. But those having existing homes do not need to worry, as the central air conditioning units can even be set up in houses that have already been constructed!
If you are looking for the best central air conditioning unit, you need to keep certain points in mind. The first thing to consider is the size of your home. The air conditioning units are available in various sizes, so carefully pick the size that you think would be the best for your home. Remember, that the machine would not be able to properly dehumidify air if it’s too large for its purpose. You should rather get a contractor to help you choose, as they calculate the required size with a method named “Manual J”.
The next important thing to look into is the SEER rating, i.e., the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The technology has changed today, and the energy efficiency has also improved as a result. So the new air conditioners are supposed to have a SEER rating of 13, whereas, a rating of only 7 or 8 was enough for the machines installed a couple of decades ago.
You can actually save quite a lot in your electricity bills if you substitute your old and ineffective air conditioner with a new central air conditioning set up. In fact, you can expect to save more than $500 a year with the new SEER rating, which has gone up to 13 from 11.5. To get the latest in energy efficiency, choose a compressor having the "Scroll(tm) technology".
The "Energy Star" is one more criterion which your central air conditioner should have. This is basically a certificate to denote that the equipment consumes less energy than the other new models. The new models obviously consume a lot less than the machines dating back a couple of years.
Be careful while choosing the location for putting up the outdoor unit of your machine. This is important because it would not be able to ventilate air properly if it is put under a deck, or is covered up by plants. These units are often noisy. So keep them far from your deck or your patio, or any place where you want to enjoy some quietude.