When it comes to the cooling of space, nothing beats air conditioners. There are many different types and models that you can choose from while still keeping your budget in mind. However, picking one out isn’t easy!
We’re here to help guide you through all of these options so you’ll be able to find something best suited for what’s needed within just about any area or room on our property.
Here’s what you should look for before handing in your cash:
Energy Efficiency
Energy costs are continuously rising all over the country, and your inefficient system can push your bills to skyrocket even more. Newer technologies are using 30% less energy than the older models.
Look for AFUE – the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency rating – which is a measure of cooling efficiency and how it compares to older systems on the market. An Energy Star qualified unit will have an AFUE of at least 14%. This means that your new A/C will use about 35% less electricity than an older one.
Maintenance Costs and Repairs
Also, consider what kind of maintenance requirements your air conditioning in Creve Coeur, MO may have. The most common repairs are leaks or drips from seals, coils, drain pans, and evaporators in central and window units.
These can cause damage to walls and floors if they’re not repaired promptly after being detected. Think of the last time you left a dripping faucet alone for even one day; your drainpipe is now much the same way, except that in this case, you may have ceiling damage to deal with as well.
Operating Cost
Operating costs are another factor when choosing air conditioners: if your energy consumption rate is $0.10 per kWh (kilowatt-hour) and 12 cents per kWh during peak hours, you could end up paying 30% more* or more to keep your home cool during peak times.
The higher your bill, the longer it will take to recover what you spent on an Energy Star-qualified unit. Your appliances that meet these efficiency standards usually pay off their cost in energy savings after about seven years if you use them for 8 hours a day (not counting installation costs, of which there will be several).
Warranties and Reviews
All air conditioners come with warranties. Keep in mind that your warranty coverage is tied to the name on the unit – but not necessarily tied to the manufacturer. For this reason alone, you must review consumer reviews before investing in efficient air conditioning in Creve Coeur, MO: if something goes wrong under warranty during normal use, how quickly will the repair people get there?
If they offer free loaner units under warranty while yours is being repaired, is their quality comparable? Comprehensive consumer reviews can give you an idea of the kinds of experiences other consumers have had with service, reliability, and quality.
Check the Unit’s Power Requirement
The most important thing to look for on a portable air conditioner is its cooling capacity in BTU (British thermal units per hour). The higher this number, the more powerful and efficient your AC will be.
It’s also wise to do some research into how much electricity your house uses. Then, by comparing the two numbers, you can get a rough idea of how much power the portable unit will need to operate.
Get Help from the Experts for Your Air Conditioning Cooling Needs in Creve Coeur, MO
Picking the best cooling system for your home is equally significant when choosing the best A/C expert to install your new system. Call Ozark Mechanical at 636-317-1234 to schedule your service.
