Best HVAC Service | Sizing a New AC Unit

Bigger Isn't Always Better: The Right Sized AC Will Last Longer and Save You Money

If you are finding it harder and harder to keep your house cool, it might be time to replace your AC unit. A good indication that it is time for a new AC is also when you notice that your SMUD bill is much higher than normal. As your AC ages, it becomes less efficient at cooling your home. In other words, it takes more energy ("money"), to do the same job as before. When it comes time to replace an AC unit many people are confused by the many options and variables. It gets very confusing, very quickly. However, selecting the right size unit is critical.

How Big of an AC Unit is Right?

The metrics British Thermal Units Per Hour (BTUh) and tonnage (ton) are utilized to determine an air conditioner’s cooling capacity over an hour. One ton of cooling capacity equates to 12,000 BTUh. For homeowners, residential air conditioners usually range from 1.5 to 5 tons or, 18,000 – 60,000 BTUh. BTU is used to measure how much heat a particular air conditioner can remove from the air in the space of an hour. As a general rule, you need 20 BTUs per square foot of living space for your air conditioner. But there are other factors to consider, such as the height of your ceilings, the size of your windows and doorways, and whether you have any insulation.

If you're not sure what size air conditioner you need, it's best to consult with a professional HVAC technician. A quick appointment with Always Affordable Plumbing and HVAC will help you determine the right size for your home and needs. Having the right size air conditioner is important for adequately cooling your house. If you don’t have the right size, it may not have enough power to cool everywhere. This means that it will be working harder just to try and cool your home. Of course, this will just increase your energy bill. Alternatively, it may make your home too cold if you’ve overestimated the size you need. While that may not sound like a big problem, it actual can be. Too large an air conditioner can "short cycle", which is turning on and off too frequently, and this will shorten the lifespan of the AC.

What is a SEER Rating?

BTU's and Tonnage has to do with how much air an AC can cool. However, a SEER rating is different. The SEER rating is a measure of how efficient your air conditioning unit operates. This standard was created by the government and requires more efficiency from HVAC units over time, which means that nowadays you'll need at least an 11 or higher if not 12+ to keep up with all those pesky hot days we're having this year! That's why it pays off so much in savings when buying something new - just make sure they offer higher than minimum specs (14) because there might come along some really thick heat waves where nothing but high-powered AC will do.

Picking the Right AC Unit

When it comes to replacing your AC unit, you will need to consider how many BTU's you need for your home, as well as consider the SEER rating of the unit. Remember, when it comes to BTU's or tonnage, bigger is not always better. However, a the higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the unit will be. A more efficient AC is able to cool your house for less money. Of course, the bigger the unit (BTU/tonnage), and the higher the SEER, the more expensive the unit will be. However, having the right sized, and energy efficient unit can save you money over time when compared to a wrong sized, less efficient unit.

Other factors to consider are if you need more than one unit for your home, installation challenges (if any), and if there are any rebates available. Many energy companies offer rebates and incentives for upgrading your HVAC to something more energy efficient. Ultimately, when it comes to selecting the right HVAC for your home, please call Always Affordable Plumbing and HVAC. Our expert technicians will evaluate your home to determine the most economical and efficient options for you. Additionally, we will search for any manufacturer or utilities rebates and programs that could help you save money on your replacement AC unit. Our team of experts are friendly, honest, and professional, and will make replacing your AC a simple and stress free process.

Are You Sure You Need a New AC?

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Of course, before you go and spend a large amount of money on a new HVAC unit, our technicians will evaluate your current equipment. In some cases, a simple maintenance tune up service might be all it takes to get your equipment operating properly again. At the least, it may buy you another season or two before you have to replace it. LEARN MORE ABOUT MAINTENANCE SERVICE HERE.

Call Always Affordable HVAC Today!

Are you ready to schedule your annual AC Tune Up service today, and beat the heat? Always Affordable Plumbing and HVAC is proud to deliver AC and heater service to Sacramento and Solano County. As always, we provide our communities with honest and affordable services for your home or business.

Service, quality, and affordability for our customers always comes first. Call today to schedule your appointment!

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Find out more about Always Affordable Plumbing & HVAC (Lic. #1003782) by calling:

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