Living in Monroe, GA means that you will be dealing with some pretty extreme heat in the summer season. Relief from the sweltering heat often comes in the form of a nice, cool air conditioning system in your home. When you walk through the front door of your home on a hot July afternoon and are greeted by a blast of cold air from your well-maintained air conditioner, there is no better feeling.
For those who are looking to upgrade or replace their current air conditioner, the choices may seem overwhelming. There are a variety of options for the type of system you would prefer to provide you with cooled air, and each one has distinct advantages and disadvantages.
When you want to stay cool and save money in the process, here is a guide to help you decide which air conditioner is right for your home and your family. At Paul’s Heating & Air, we have been helping residents of Monroe, Georgia, with their heating and cooling needs for over 30 years, and we cannot wait to provide you with assistance as well.
Types of Air Conditioner Options
There are 5 different types of air conditioning systems that you can choose from depending on the size of your home and your unique cooling needs. These include central air conditioners, ductless units, portable air conditioners, window air conditioners, and heat pumps.
Central Air Conditioning Systems
Central air conditioners are the most common way that residents and businesses cool their buildings and keep the room temperature comfortable for everyone in the building. This system uses the furnace or air handler fan to bring in warm air through the air ducts. After going through the evaporator coil, the removed hot air is expelled back outside through the condenser coil. All that is left is cool air for your home.
If you are looking for an AC unit that is energy efficient, be sure to check out the unit’s seasonal energy efficiency ratio. The higher the ratio, the more energy you will save.
Ductless Units
Ductless air units are used in homes that were not built with the necessary air ducts to be used by modern air conditioner units. Rather, each room has its own head or indoor unit in the split-ductless systems mounted on the wall, ceiling, or floor, and that cools the air for the specific room. All necessary equipment for these single room air conditioners runs between the indoor heads and the outdoor unit.
Portable Air Conditioners
As the name would suggest, portable air conditioners are units that can be moved from room to room. They do require the use of a vent to eliminate the hot air and moisture generated as the air conditioner work is done. The unit will come with a window vent kit where the heat is discharged. They are not usually very aesthetically pleasing and can be quite noisy.
Window Air Conditioners
The window units act in much the same way as central air conditioning but on a much smaller scale. They are mounted into a window and cool that specific room. As they operate, they take in warm air from within the room, run it over the evaporator coils, and blow cold air back into the room. The heat is transferred to the condenser coil and sent outside. The condensation drains right out of the unit onto the ground below the air conditioner.
Heat Pumps
In areas where the temperatures stay quite mild during the winter months, heat pumps have become very popular. They essentially act as heaters and air conditioners at the same time. During the summer months, they operate in the same way as a traditional air conditioner. In mild winter temperatures, the heat pump brings in warmth from the outside air in order to heat the house until it becomes too cold outside and then the furnace can take over.
What Type of Air Conditioning System Do I Need?
There are a few factors to consider when deciding on a new air conditioner. If you refer to an air conditioner buying guide, you will discover that it is important to consider:
- the size of your home (that will help determine what size air conditioner you need, and generally you want about 15-25 BTUs (British Thermal Units) of cooling power per square foot)
- your budget
- the ductwork already in place from the existing system
- energy costs
- other considerations for your specific home
If you are in need of help deciding on a cooling system for your home, speak to a professional who has the knowledge and experience needed to make the best choice for your home.
Maintenance for Your Air Conditioning Unit
The most important thing to remember about AC system maintenance is having it inspected regularly. When a professional comes for an inspection and regular maintenance, he or she can catch any problems that may have started and take care of them before it is too late. When your air conditioner works, it is great. But when it stops in the middle of summer, you will definitely have a problem!
What to Do If Your Air Conditioner Stops Working
If your AC unit stops working or seems to not be blowing out cold air, there are a few ways to check the system before you call a professional. Be sure to look at the following to see if your problem may be easily fixed:
- A thermostat is set to AC mode and the temperature is set properly
- Air filters are not clogged or dirty
- Your outdoor units are clear of plants and trees which may be crowding them and making them struggle to function properly
If these three items are not an issue, it may be time to contact the professionals such as ours at Paul’s Heating & Air.
Contact Our Central Air Conditioning System Experts
If your home AC units are acting strange or not giving you the cold air your desire, contact our expert technicians at Paul’s Heating & Air. We have the knowledge and experience to examine your unit, make sure there is proper airflow, and repair any issues.
When it comes to cooling systems in Monroe, GA, our team at Paul’s Heating & Air has you covered!
