Is your air conditioner the right size for your heating/cooling needs? This is a question many Dayton area homeowners ask themselves, particularly those who live in an older home. If your unit is too small or too large for your needs, it could be costing you both in comfort and money.
Even if you’re building a new home, you need a heating/cooling system that is suited to the size of your home for the most comfort and energy efficiency.
If you are considering a new air conditioner, here are some facts that will help in making the right decision:
- Many older systems are too big for the home they are heating/cooling. Older homes were not as air-tight as modern homes of today; since many have been updated with new windows, insulation, caulking and other improvements, a smaller unit is usually in order.
- Don’t let a contractor look at the “nameplate” on your old unit and assume that you will need an exact match to replace it. Your contractor should take into account the climate, level of insulation, your comfort preferences, location and type of windows, and other factors to determine what size system you need.
- When estimating your air conditioning needs, floor space, windows, walls and windows should be measured. R-value should be assessed on insulation and other materials as well.
- An over-sized system may not be able to remove the humidity from the air in your home, because they typically do not run long enough to do so. This could lead to damage and mold growth in your home.
- If your air conditioner is too small for your home, the air will never feel cool enough or warm enough depending on the season. You will also spend more on energy costs because your heating/air conditioning will run constantly in an attempt to reach the temperature you desire in your home.
Keep these tips in mind, and enjoy a home that is both comfortable and energy efficient.
Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc., has been providing happy customers exceptional heating/cooling service since 1978. Questions about your air conditioner? Give us a call; we would be glad to help.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Ace Hardware Home Services services the Ohio’s Miami Valley. To get started, check out our website or request an appointment.
