Cooling Equipment

Buying a new central air conditioning system is a major investment - both financially and in your home's comfort. The average split-system air conditioner will last around 16 years, so you want to make sure you choose a system that you will be happy with for a long time. Here are some tips for choosing a central air conditioning system:

Buy the highest SEER you can afford. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and is a measurement of the efficiency of your cooling system over the course of a season. The higher the SEER rating, the higher the efficiency. Systems purchased to prior to 2006 were mostly in the 8 to 10 SEER range. In 2006, the minimum efficiency was raised to 13 SEER. Today, air conditioners such as the Frigidaire iQ Drive^® system can be as high as 24.5 SEER. A 13-SEER system is 30% more efficient than a 10-SEER system, and a 24.5 SEER system is 145% more efficient than a 10-SEER system.

Choose R-410A refrigerant. Most older systems used a refrigerant called R-22. In 2010, the new refrigerant standard became R-410A. R-410A is more environmentally friendly than past refrigerants because it does not deplete the ozone. Choosing an R-410A system means you may also have to replace your line set and your indoor coil, but you will be getting the maximum efficiency out of your new system.

Identify the type of system you currently have. If you have an outdoor section and an indoor section, you have a "split system." The split system is the most common type of system. In the central United States and Canada, the indoor section is the coil box that sits on top of your gas or oil furnace. (Many homeowners think this is part of the furnace when it is actually the indoor section to the air conditioner.) The furnace blower is used to distribute cool air throughout the home. In very hot southern regions, the indoor section is typically an electric furnace or air handler. This product has the blower and coil inside a single cabinet. If you do not have an indoor section, you may have a "packaged" air conditioner. Packaged units are found in select regions. The packaged air conditioner contains the blower and coil components all within the outdoor section and may even provide gas heat or electric strip heat.

Replace the entire system, not just the air conditioner. An air conditioner typically has two components -- the outdoor section and the indoor section as described above. It may be tempting to replace only the outdoor section. But in order for your system to achieve the efficiency you're paying for, you need to have a matched system that includes a new indoor coil. Additionally, old indoor components can adversely impact the performance of your air conditioner, and your new system warranty could be canceled if it was not installed with the proper indoor coil or air handler.

Consider a heat pump. A heat pump works just like an air conditioner, cooling you all summer long. But in the fall and early spring, it can also provide cost-effective electric heat. Many homeowners are choosing a split-system heat pump over a split-system air conditioner and then pairing it with a gas furnace. This dual-fuel system can save you a lot of money because you heat with electricity when the weather is mild and with gas when the temperatures dip below freezing, so you are always using the most cost-effective fuel source to heat your home. If you have a packaged system, there are also dual-fuel packaged systems that combine heat pump and gas heat technology.

Don't skimp on the install. With a heating and cooling system, the installation is absolutely critical to performance. Make sure you hire a certified contractor who is going to address your ductwork and other home needs in addition to replacing equipment. A quality installation will cost more upfront, but it will save you in service and headaches down the road.

Think about comfort. Many of the higher-end air conditioners include extra features that will dramatically improve your home's comfort. Two-stage systems can run at a high and low stage, so they are quieter and provide a better mix of air throughout the home (no hot and cold spots). Also look for noise reduction features such as compressor sound blankets and swept-wing fan blades. Imagine not having to turn up the television when the air conditioner kicks on.