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There are so many things that make summer great, but it can be hard to enjoy some of your favorite activities with the summer heat in Richardson, TX. This is why just about every homeowner in Texas has some form of air conditioning in their home. The problem is, sometimes even air conditioning isn’t enough to keep your home cool, especially if you have an old or undersized AC. If you’re thinking about upgrading to avoid summer air conditioning service calls, here are some tips to help you out.

AC Size

The most important thing to understand when you’re looking for a new central AC unit is how important sizing is. You need to make sure your air conditioner is powerful enough to cool your entire home as intended, which means you have to account for lots of little things like the size and insulation quality of your home.

Having an air conditioning service expert size your AC means you don’t have to worry about your AC not cooling your home as much as you’d like it to. This is a big deal when you live in a hot state like Texas where air conditioning is such a necessity during the summer.

Another thing to remember when it comes to proper AC sizing is that an air conditioner that’s too large for your home is also a bad idea. While your home will be cool, it might actually get too cool and you’ll end up spending a lot more on your power bill. The first step to making sure you’re buying the right AC is to have an AC service professional find the right size for you.

Efficiency

Efficiency is also important when it comes to shopping for an air conditioner. Any new air conditioner is going to be more efficient than your old one, but there are a lot of different efficiency ratings and other things that can factor into efficiency. If you don’t want to spend a fortune cooling your home, you should opt for a more efficient AC unit.

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings are the most important thing to consider when it comes to AC efficiency. An air conditioning service expert can tell you more about SEER ratings, but the higher the better when it comes to efficiency. If two homes are exactly the same but one has an AC with a SEER rating of 14 while the other has a SEER rating of 21, the home with the more efficient AC will save about 33% in cooling costs.

Age

One thing you should consider before you buy a new air conditioner is how old yours is. While central AC units don’t last a particularly long time, you don’t want to waste money upgrading to a new unit when yours is fine. If your air conditioner is more than 10 or 15 years old, you should have an air conditioning service expert inspect it to see if there are any major problems.

Keep in mind that even if your AC doesn’t have any major problems and isn’t particularly old, upgrading may still be a smart option. Air conditioners are constantly getting better in several different ways, so you can save money and get better cooling power by making an upgrade. However, you can get as much as 25 years out of an AC unit if you keep up with seasonal maintenance and size it properly for your home.

Types of Air Conditioners

If you’re going to upgrade to a new air conditioner, make sure you read up on some of the different options that are available today. There are several different cooling options for modern homes, and an air conditioning service professional can help you choose the best one for your needs.

One of the most popular options when it comes to modern air conditioning is the ductless mini-splits. While central air conditioning requires running ducts throughout your home, ductless mini-split installation doesn’t and thus results in a quick air conditioning service call. Plus, you can install several air handlers for zoned heating and cooling, which allows you to maintain separate temperatures in different rooms.

If you live in an apartment or a very small home, a portable air conditioner may be enough to cool your home. Geothermal air conditioners are also becoming more popular, although many air conditioning service companies don’t work with them yet.

Other Things to Consider

Upgrading an air conditioner is a big step to take, so it’s important to do it right. There are also a few other things you should consider when it comes to upgrading your air conditioner for better, more efficient cooling.

If you’re going to upgrade your air conditioner, it’s a good idea to upgrade your thermostat as well. Not only can you get an accurate thermostat for a low price, but you can also install a smart thermostat so you can adjust the temperature from anywhere. Plus, an air conditioning service expert can install a new thermostat in next to no time, so it’s an easy upgrade to make while you’re upgrading your AC.

Since you’re having a new AC installed, you should also ask an air conditioning service professional about proper AC maintenance and operation. A brand-new air conditioner is the perfect opportunity to step your game up in terms of HVAC maintenance.

Get Your New AC for Summer

Having an air conditioner that costs a fortune to run or isn’t powerful enough for your home isn’t ideal, especially when you’re dealing with the summer heat in Richardson, TX. Fortunately, there’s always time to make an upgrade during the offseason.

Are you looking for an air conditioner upgrade to keep you cool next summer? K&S Heating & Air can help. We can help you pick the perfect central AC unit or ductless mini-split and install it. If you’re in the market for a new AC, call K&S Heating and Air at 972-942-8078 today.