Choosing an Air Conditioning System

Selecting an air conditioner for your home is a big decision.
It's an important investment today. It will play a key role in your
home energy expenses for years to come. And when the summer
heat is at its worst, you'll want your family to have the best, most
reliable cooling comfort possible. Here are a few things to consider.

What do good central air units have in common?
How can I be sure my Unit is the right size?
Which air conditioners are energy efficient?
Are some air conditioners built better than others?

What do good central air units have in common?
The best ones are efficient, operating on minimal electricity to
hold utility bills down. They provide steady, dependable performance
year after year when properly maintained. Good systems are quiet,
long-lasting and low in service needs.
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How can I be sure my Unit is the right size?
Obviously, an air conditioner that's too small won't keep your home
sufficiently cool. But what many don't realize is that an oversized
system will cycle (turn on and off) more than necessary, wasting
expensive energy and possibly putting undue strain on the compressor.

A good contractor will determine the optimum size for your home by
making a careful study of your cooling requirements. Window dimensions
and exposure. Floor space, insulation and local climate.
Heat-generating appliances. The direction your home faces.
Even the amount of your home's exterior shaded by trees.
He'll specify the cooling capacity of the system in either Btu/h
(British thermal units of heat removed per hour) or refrigeration
tons (one ton being equal to 12,000 Btu/h).
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Which air conditioners are energy efficient?
Much like automobile manufacturers, today's air conditioner
manufacturers are required by law to evaluate and rate their equipment
according to its energy efficiency. This rating is known in the industry
as a SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating.

The higher the SEER, the more efficient the equipment.
Most new homes with central air come equipped with a standard
builder's model. However, when replacement becomes necessary,
property owners can upgrade their air conditioning by specifying a more
energy-efficient system.

The Ruud Classic XIV® High Efficiency model, for example, has a SEER
of 14.00, among the highest available. It's significantly higher than today's
standard models, many of which carry SEER's of around 10.

High SEER models are generally more expensive, but can easily make up
the difference by reducing your home energy bills over the long run.
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Are some air conditioners built better than others?
The compressor is the heart of a condensing unit. On a hot day, it
works long and hard. Ruud installs the highly advanced scroll compressor
in every Ruud condensing unit we produce. Scroll Compressors are
recognized by the industry as the leader in reliability, efficiency and
quiet operation.

Other features to look for include louvered steel cabinets that protect
the coils from damage and expensive repair bills.