It may seem somewhat overwhelming when it comes to picking out the right central air conditioning for your home’s HVAC system. There are plenty of factors that you must consider in terms of price, performance and efficiency. The market is filled with different types of air conditioning systems. Not only do they come in various sizes, but they do not provide the same performance results or have the same installation requirements. They all have different features that can work with different types of homes. This is why its stressful to pick out the right one for your home.

The Chill Cycle

A central air conditioner has many important parts that help it to function, such as a condenser, compressor and evaporator. An air conditioner works to recycle refrigerant by using changing levels of pressure. This refrigerant starts as a low pressured gas, goes through the exterior unit and transforms into a gas that is high pressure.

Then the refrigerant goes through the air conditioner’s condenser. The condenser’s fan then cools down the gas and changes it into a liquid that is high pressure. At this point, this liquid refrigerant goes through your home’s interior tubes to end up in the HVAC unit. Before this, refrigerant gets to the evaporator; it must first go through the expansion valve, which decreases its flow. The expansion valve allows the refrigerant to change to a gas, which gets to a temperature of 7 degrees Celsius because the air blows over the evaporator. The liquid refrigerant then moves to the air conditioner’s exterior unit as a low-pressure gas with a lower temp. Then the chill cycle starts all over again.

The chilled coil cools down the air in an air conditioner. This cool air is then cycled all over your home. An air conditioning system won’t stop running until the temperature on its thermostat is reached. If humidity is detected in the air, the coil changes it into water. This water drops into a condensation pan. Thus, an air conditioner works to both cool down and dehumidify your home. Ultimately, this keeps your home very cool and comfortable for you and your family.

Yes, Size Matters

Why is size so important when it comes to your home’s air conditioning system? The only way to get the best air conditioning results is to choose the right size air conditioner. An Energy Management Consultant can help you to choose and set up the right size unit for your home. The following factors are a few things that determine the right size of air conditioner your home needs:

The total live space of your home. Square footage is not the most important deciding factor in terms of size:

• How many of the exterior walls of your home are exposed to the sun?
• How old are your windows?
• How many windows does your home have?
• What is the orientation of your home’s windows?
• In which direction do your home’s windows face? (Do they face south?)
• How much sunshine does your home receive?
• What is the condition of the windows in your home?
• Is your home’s ventilation system up to par?
• Is your home’s ductwork in good condition?
• How much of your home is shaded by trees, scrubs or other structures?

As you can see, there are so many factors that determine what size Pinellas Park air conditioning system is needed for your home. And yes, size is very important in this situation.

If you get an air conditioning system that is too big, your home’s structure won’t be properly cooled. This also includes things inside of your home, such as walls and your furniture. This is especially worrisome if humidity builds up in your home. This is because the air conditioner will constantly work to remove humidity and never turn off.

On the flip side, if you get an air conditioning system that isn’t large enough, it will never turn off. This means you’ll not only waste energy but also pay too much in energy costs.

Size: The Meaning of SEER and TON

Two different air conditioners may have the same tonnage, but this does not mean they have the same SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. This means that they have different energy efficiency ratings. Research various air conditioning units and find the right tonnage for your home. Make sure it has the highest SEER rating that you can afford. A higher rating means that you won’t use as much energy. Even a small difference in rating could either save or cost more. The best systems will have a SEER rating between 12 and 23. They are considered to be Energy Star efficient.

When it comes to owning a home, air conditioning makes it so much better. Although it may be considered a convenience, seek the advice of a professional who can help you get the most bang for your buck. These experts should have installation and design experience and know which air conditioning systems work best for your home. They can choose the right size so that you won’t waste energy and spend loads of money.

Do not waste money on an incorrectly sized HVAC system. Get advice from the right energy experts and ensure your home is energy efficient.