Home Series Booklets
How to buy a new air-conditioning systemAdditional InformationA central air conditioner is more than just the largest appliance in a home-it's part of a carefully designed system that also incorporates a thermostat and an array of ducts that deliver and circulate cooled air throughout the structure. In most cases, a central air-conditioning system is a more energy-efficient choice for regularly cooling a home than using room air conditioners in three or four different rooms. However, there's no getting around the fact that a central air conditioner can be fairly expensive to purchase-and that it must be installed by a qualified heating and cooling contractor. If your home doesn't have central air-conditioning-but does have a network of ducts for a forced-air furnace-you likely can use the same ducts for cooling, as long as they're the proper size and free of leaks and obstructions. On the other hand, if your home is heated by a boiler or electric baseboard units, you'll need to add a duct system, which can be both difficult and expensive-especially in a multi-level home, where you might have to sacrifice closet space or build "chases" along walls or in corners to hold the ducts. You may want to upgrade if your system is 10 to 15 years old This may be the right time to upgrade your heating system too. Since both systems share components, it doesn't make sense to add a super-efficient air conditioner to an aging forced-air furnace-and you'll likely save money by updating both systems at the same time, as opposed to changing one now and the other in a couple of years. When you go shopping, first consider the type of unit you need No matter which type of cooling unit you choose, be sure to fully explore all of the energy-saving options available, including two-stage compressors that run in a special energy-saving mode on mild or less-humid days, new compressor designs with fewer moving parts than used in the past and environmentally friendly refrigerants. Bigger isn't necessarily better The size of central air conditioners is measured in Btu/hour (British thermal units per hour). A reputable contractor will need to do a lot of investigating and calculating on a worksheet or computer to come up with the correct rating for your cooling system, considering things such as the size, style, orientation and shading of your home; insulation levels; window types, locations and sizes; air infiltration; location and condition of ducts; lighting and appliances in use; weather; your family's lifestyle; and your comfort preferences. The written bid you receive should detail the sizing calculations in writing. Don't accept an estimate that is based only on the size of the existing unit, the square footage of your house or any other "rule of thumb." What's SEER? During the past few years, new technologies have helped the SEER ratings on the most efficient central air conditioners to rise above 20. The minimum SEER required for ENERGY STAR qualification is 14.5, which a long way from a 1970's-vintage central air conditioner with a SEER of 6. By replacing that unit today with one that has a SEER of 20, you could cut your air-conditioning costs by about two-thirds. Sidebar The material in this article was adapted from Home Heating and Cooling, a book published by the Iowa Energy Center. Besides offering more details on the topics discussed here, this publication also covers energy-saving home improvement projects that may be eligible for rebates from local utility companies; low-income assistance and grant programs; special financing opportunities from banks, credit unions and other lending institutions; state incentives; and federal income tax credits. To get a free copy of this book:
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