By Anne Fonda
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Whether your old air conditioner finally bit the dust, you’re tired of costly AC repairs, or you want to upgrade to a more energy-efficient AC system, we’ve got you covered. Air conditioner replacement doesn’t have to be hard.
If this is the first time you’ve had to replace an AC unit, you should know there are probably a lot more options than you thought possible. The combination of features and ratings can be dizzying. Making an informed choice comes down to doing your homework.
We’ve put together this buyer’s guide to help you. You’ll learn about the top factors to consider when replacing your central air conditioning unit, including:
Doing your homework and understanding these various factors can help ensure you ask the right questions when HVAC companies send a representative to your home to give you a quote for an AC unit replacement.
Getting a properly sized central air conditioner is a critical part of your AC replacement journey. HVAC sizing should be done by an HVAC professional who takes the time to do it right, performing a precise load calculation to determine the AC unit size that is suitable for your home.
Cooling capacity, or size, is measured in tons. A ton is equal to 12,000 BTUs, or British Thermal Units. A 5-ton AC unit can cool a 3,000 sq. ft. home, while a 2-ton AC unit could cool a 1,200 sq. ft. home. However, this can vary depending on the type of insulation, windows, or siding on your home. That’s why it’s important to have a qualified technician perform an actual load calculation on your home.
You want a replacement air conditioner that is sized just right for your home. An air conditioner that is either too big or too small will waste energy and fail to deliver the comfort you deserve – no matter how efficient the unit is.
There are two important air conditioner energy-efficiency ratings - SEER2 and EER2. The most energy-efficient air conditioners will have high ratings in both categories.
SEER2 stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. It measures an AC unit’s cooling efficiency in a temperature range of 65-104° F. The higher the SEER2, the more efficient the air conditioner is.
EER2 stands for energy efficiency ratio. It also measures an air conditioner’s cooling efficiency but at a specific temperature of 95°F rather than in a temperature range. If you live in a hot climate such as south Texas, the desert southwest, or Florida where temperatures exceed 95 degrees for weeks at a time, the EER2 rating may be more important to you than the SEER2 rating.
Learn all about HVAC efficiency metrics.
How many cooling stages your new central air unit has will combine with the SEER2 and EER2 ratings to provide you with a range of energy efficiencies. Let’s take a look at the options.
A single-stage air conditioner is either on or off. When it’s on, it runs at 100% capacity until the temperature reaches the set point on the thermostat. Then it shuts off. It will turn on again when the temperature rises.
This frequent on/off cycle can result in high operating costs.
A two-stage, or two-speed, air conditioner takes cooling up a notch and regulates the temperature in your home a little better. While single-stage systems run at 100% capacity, two-stage air conditioners operate at a high or low speed. In most cases, the low stage operates at around 70% +/- capacity, while the high stage operates at 100% capacity.
A new kid on the block at Trane, our multi-speed air conditioner offers more precise comfort than a two-stage unit, without the premium price tag of our most efficient variable speed systems. Compared to a 2-stage cooling system, you get higher efficiency, up to 4 additional operating speeds, and more heating and cooling capacity at extreme temperatures.
A variable-speed HVAC system is the most energy-efficient air conditioning system available. The system takes the indoor and outdoor temperatures and humidity levels, calculates the run time needed to reach your set temperature, and then determines the appropriate output.
Variable-speed air conditioners can operate anywhere from 25-100% capacity to precisely meet and maintain your desired temperature within half a degree. Because they can operate at lower speeds, they consume less power, which makes them the least expensive to operate over the long term.
Cost shouldn’t be the only factor you consider, but we know it’s a big one for most homeowners. Think both in terms of upfront costs and future cost savings. The most energy-efficient air conditioner will cost more than a lower SEER2 single-stage AC unit, but it can result in lower utility bills for years to come.
For more information, please visit Air Conditioning Trainer.
Some of the factors that will impact your air conditioning replacement cost include:
Each home is different, and every family’s needs are different. The best way to get specifics on the cost to replace an AC system is to gather quotes from several HVAC companies in your area.
If you’re a new homeowner or new to the area and you’re not sure who to work with, read our blog on how to choose the best HVAC contractor for some tips. When each company representative comes to your home to give you a quote, ask them about all of the factors we’ve discussed here.
Ask them to help you run the numbers on how much an energy-efficient air conditioner can save you on your energy bills. The cost savings might be expressed as a percentage. But remember, you will only get the most out of a new system if your home is properly weatherized and you utilize a smart thermostat for optimal energy usage.
Check a company’s reviews and reputation – because a new air conditioner is only as good as the installation.
If it’s time to replace your air conditioner or perhaps replace your furnace and air conditioner at the same time, we can help. Contact your local Trane Comfort Specialist to discuss your options.
They’ll listen to what you want, ask what you need, and evaluate your home cooling needs. You can get quotes on multiple units and determine what the right choice is for your home and budget.
Anne Fonda, Content Writer
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Mark Woodruff, Senior Product Manager, Ducted Outdoor
Do you want to purchase a new air conditioning unit? There are several different options to choose from, which can make it difficult to decide. Here’s an air conditioner buying guide to help you make the right choice.
Central air conditioners cool your entire home at once. These systems are the most expensive to install because they require extensive ductwork and venting that must be installed by a specialist.If installing ductwork isn’t an option, a fan coil unit or mini-split is the next-best way to cool your home. These ductless systems can effectively cool one or two rooms at a time. They’re well-suited for homes with open floor plans.Moreover, window and portable air conditioners are perfect if you’re on a budget. You can install them yourself, which is a big money saver. They also have the added advantage of portability and can easily be moved to different rooms in your home. But, keep in mind that they only cool a single room at a time.
A central air conditioner is an effective whole-home cooling solution. It connects to your home’s thermostat and has several features that allow you to keep your entire home at your desired temperature.Yet, if you want control of the temperature in individual rooms of your home, a mini-split system is a good option. The mini-split system consists of an outdoor compressor and several strategically placed indoor air units. . You can use a remote or a wall-mounted thermostat to adjust the temperature in specific rooms and areas.
Newly designed air conditioners are built with noise reduction in mind. Therefore, if you value your quiet time, look for a unit with low decibels. You can typically find this information on the unit’s label. High-efficiency air conditioners, for example, make only 50 – 60 decibels of noise, whereas window and portable air conditioners make 70 to 80 dB.If you want to keep noise to a least, you may also want to consider getting a rooftop air conditioning system. These units are installed out of earshot, making them much quieter indoors than other options.
If you’re conscious of your carbon footprint, look for an AC unit with a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating. This is the ratio of the cooling output of an air conditioner over a typical cooling season, divided by the energy it uses in watt-hours. The higher the equipment’s SEER rating, the more energy-efficient it is, and the more comfortable your home will be. A good SEER rating is typically 14 or higher.
When purchasing a new air conditioner, pay attention to the British Thermal Units (BTU). This measure is critical for choosing the right size. If the unit is too small, it won’t cool your space. If the unit’s too big, it’ll cool the area too quickly without dehumidifying it.Most systems range from 9,000 to 48,000 BTUs. Generally, air conditioners rated at 12,000 BTU can cool about 875 square feet of space. However, it’s also important to consider factors such as ceiling height, room insulation and sun exposure.The team at Harmony Heating & Air Conditioning can help you find the right air conditioner for your needs. We carry AC systems from top brands like Lennox and Comfortmaker.
The experts at Harmony Heating & Air Conditioning can install, repair and maintain a variety of cooling units. We also offer home protection plans and expert maintenance tips to ensure that you receive the maintenance you need to keep your air conditioner running optimally efficiently. Contact us today to find out more about our products and services.
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