Replacing your AC is a major cost, and the last thing you want to do is waste money on a system that isn’t right for your home and doesn’t sufficiently meet your needs. Making sure that your new AC is the correct size for your home is always important and one reason why you should make sure to hire an experienced HVAC company for the installation. Equally important is making sure you consider all of these other things so you can find the best system within your price range.
1. AC vs. Heat Pump
One of the first things you should think about is whether you might be better off installing a heat pump instead of a traditional AC. Both options will cool your home just as effectively, but a heat pump has a major advantage in that you’ll also be able to rely on it for heating in the winter. Even if you have a furnace that is still in good condition and works effectively, it can still be worth installing a heat pump. Your heating bills are virtually guaranteed to be quite a bit lower with a heat pump due to how much more energy efficient heat pumps are compared to furnaces. You’ll also still be able to switch over to the furnace if you ever need to heat your house more quickly or the heat pump won’t run for any reason.
When deciding between the two types of systems, it is also important to consider the potential downsides of choosing a heat pump. One is that you can expect to pay at least $1,000 more for a heat pump than you would for a comparable AC. The other is that there’s a good chance that you’ll need to replace the heat pump before you would an AC due to the heat pump running in both summer and winter. ACs have an average life expectancy of 12-15 years, whereas the average life expectancy of a heat pump is 10-12 years.
2. Central vs. Ductless
Even if you currently have central AC, it may be worth considering switching to a ductless mini-split system. A ductless system still has a single outdoor unit (usually a heat pump), but it has multiple indoor heads or air handlers instead of just a single central air handler. Each indoor unit independently cools the room it’s in, providing far greater temperature control than you get with central AC. A ductless system allows you to program the temperature for each room individually, which is great if some people in your family prefer warmer or cooler temperatures.
Another advantage of ductless systems is that they are more energy efficient and cool faster and more effectively. One reason is that you don’t have all the extra energy necessary to circulate air around the house through the ductwork. With central AC, the cooled air always gains some heat as it flows through the ducts. This is the primary reason why ductless systems are more energy efficient. It’s also much easier to keep your cooling costs lower with a ductless system as you can turn the temperature up in your bedrooms and other unoccupied spaces during the day to reduce the amount of work the system has to do.
If you frequently have issues with hot and cold spots in your home during the summer, a ductless system is a great way to eliminate the problem. The only thing is that ductless systems are a bit more limited in terms of how much space they can cool as each air handler can only be a certain distance away from the outdoor unit. That means larger houses will usually need two separate ductless systems and have to pay far more for the installation compared to a central AC system. Ductless systems in general tend to be quite a bit more expensive, but the benefits they provide can still outweigh the higher cost.
3. Energy Efficiency
When replacing your AC, one of the most important things to focus on is SEER ratings. The SEER rating of any AC or heat pump tells you how energy efficient it is and allows you to estimate the total amount of energy it will use in one cooling season. In North Carolina, all new ACs and heat pumps must be at least 15 SEER or 14.3 SEER2, whereas many older ACs are only 13 SEER. If you replace a 13 SEER system with a new 15 SEER system, you should save at least 14% on your yearly air conditioning costs. If you went with an 18 SEER system, your cooling costs should be more than 30% lower.
Some systems are as high as 28 SEER and can easily save you several hundred dollars a year. However, the highest-efficiency systems are so expensive that they usually never pay off despite the amount you’ll save on your energy bills.
4. Compressor Speed
There are three different types of ACs and heat pumps: single-stage, two-stage and variable-speed. A single-stage system is the most basic type and also the least efficient as its compressor always runs at full speed. In a two-stage system, the compressor also has a lower setting where it only runs at around 60-70% power to conserve energy. When the system turns on, the compressor always starts running at the lower setting and will only switch to full power on hotter days or if the temperature in the house is more than a few degrees higher than the thermostat setting. On average, a two-stage system will operate on the lower setting around 80% of the time. Variable-speed compressors can slow down to around 25% and continually adjust the speed in 1% increments as needed. They are also paired with a variable-speed blower that can adjust how much air the system circulates.
Either a two-stage or variable-speed system is a great option for improving comfort and reducing cooling costs. These systems provide much more even cooling and eliminate issues with the temperature frequently fluctuating. That’s because they stay on for longer than single-stage systems, ensuring that every room receives sufficient cooling. Variable-speed systems will often run nonstop throughout the day and only run as fast as necessary to prevent the temperature from increasing.
5. Available Incentives
One final thing to think about is that certain AC or heat pump systems qualify for incentives like rebates and tax credits. Many utility companies offer their customers rebates for installing a new heat pump or a higher-efficiency AC. You can also earn a credit on next year’s federal income taxes if you install an ENERGY STAR-certified system. Central ACs are eligible for a credit of up to $600 while heat pumps and ductless mini-splits are eligible for a credit of up to $2,000. Some AC manufacturers offer rebates on their equipment when installed by one of their certified partners as well.
If you’re searching for an honest, trustworthy and dependable HVAC company in Zebulon, NC, Landen Heating and Cooling is the one to call. We’ve been providing expert AC installation services since 2010, and we will work with you to find the right solution for your home. We carry quality central ACs, heat pumps and ductless mini-splits from top brands like Amana and Trane and will make sure that the installation process goes smoothly from start to finish.
You can also count on us if you need any repairs, maintenance or heating services. To set up a consultation for your AC replacement, contact us today.
