Frequently Asked Questions about your Air Conditioning System

The AC in your home serves an important role of cooling the entire room to keep you comfortable and fresh during summer season or when the weather is humid. An efficiently working AC system is a must in order for it to function at its peak. To keep its efficient performance, proper maintenance is important. In case you are looking for a new AC system, some essential factors must be considered. Not all AC in the market are made equal. So here are some frequently asked questions that you should look out for. Get vital guidelines that will help you choose the perfect AC for your home that will fit your budget.

Does an AC with higher BTU cool a room faster?

BTU (British Thermal Unit) determines the amount of cold air that comes out from the unit. However, some irregularities in relation to the cold air emitted by the system can happen if the AC is oversized for the specific space. The greater amount of cold air that comes out from the system, the greater area it needs to circulate the cold air. This is necessary to avoid the thermostat from giving inaccurate reading. When the AC unit is large than the room area, the cold air bounces off the wall and comes back to the unit, causing the thermostat to give false reading. This also causes the compressor to shut off as the thermostat provides a set reading that is achieved. When the unit is off, the thermostat is able to determine the room’s actual temperature and based on the reading, it either starts the compressor or keeps it in standby mode. The process or cycle continues every two or three minutes, but does not stay on for long in order to efficiently cool the room or eliminate humidity. So in order to accurately determine BTU for the room or area you want to cool, you can use free BTU calculators or you can ask the customer representative about it. You must be able to pick the AC unit that fits the room capacity.

Is there a difference between manual and electronic controls?

Yes there is a difference between manual and electronic. As the terms imply, manual controls means that you have to manually set the temperature to low, medium or high using a knob. On the other hand, electronic controls automatically shift temperatures via the set temperature that you will input. It usually has a touchpad and a digital display that allows you to set the unit to your desired temperature. You can also do this using a remote control.

What does an Energy Star mean?

Energy Star is a government backed program that approves appliance that meets strict energy efficiency requirements based on EPA and US Department of Energy. It tests product/appliance’s energy efficiency. So for customers, make sure to check the Energy Start label. This assures that you are getting the best product.

What does EER and SEER Ratings mean?

EER and SEER gauges the unit’s efficiency. The higher the EER (Energy Efficiency Rating), the more efficient is the AC unit. This is gauged by the amount of BTUs per hour for every watt power. However, units with higher EER usually are expensive. But when thinking about the long term power efficiency it can provide, it is worth an investment. SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) is used to measure central and ductless AC system. All units must have SEER ratings of at least 10. Units labelled with Energy Star have higher EER and SEER.

How do you determine AC unit’s noise level?

All AC units produce noise. However, there are units designed to produce lesser noise. Newer units usually are quieter than older units. So to determine the noise level, ask the customer representative. They will tell you specifics about noise levels produced by different AC brands. Usually, ductless split AC is the quietest since the compressor is installed outside the home.

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