Central Heating And Air Conditioning

The first step in determining which central air unit is best for your home is through a home energy audit by an experienced, cooling professional. They will start the evaluation with what’s called an Air Conditioning Contractors of America Manual J load calculation.

A load calculation tells your contractor how much heat your home captures and loses throughout a day. With this determination, the contractor can ascertain which size air conditioning unit you need to keep your house cool. Your contractor factors in the climate, geography, square-footage, and home layout.

During the assessment, you’ll also learn of any additional issues that could affect the efficiency of your central air unit, potentially costing you more to run the unit. For instance, your contractor will look for any air leaks, the condition of your vents and ducts, and the quality of your insulation.

If you have poor insulation, your contractor may suggest insulation upgrades to make your home more energy-efficient. And with a more energy-efficient home, you can reduce the size of your air conditioner, saving you money on the cost of the initial unit and on your future utility bills.

A home energy audit will cost you several hundred dollars.
Types of Air Conditioning Systems

Once you have your home energy audit, you and your contractor will discuss which air conditioning system will fit your home best. Your choices are between a split air conditioning system, packaged central air system, or heat pumps. And which system you choose can largely depend on your existing structure and heating system. 


Split System

A split system is the most common and most economical, especially if your home already has an existing furnace to work with. In a split system, the condenser, which you might recognize better as the big metal box with a fan, is placed outside the house.

The fan and coil system are placed inside and are connected by pipes that carry refrigerant to cool your home. The pipes are then connected to your furnace, or they are connected to your ducts to circulate cool air. The average cost for a split system will run you from $1,400 to $1,700 plus labor.


Package System

A package system is far less popular. As the name suggests, a package system combines the condenser and the fan and coil system in one unit. Essentially, a package system is like a giant wall air conditioner you’d stick in your window. This system tends to be less energy efficient and will cost you more. On average the price for a package system is $1,800 to $3,000 plus labor.


Heat Pumps

If you live in a mild climate, heat pumps can be a good energy-efficient option. During the warm months, a heat pump system will pump hot air out of your home. And during the colder season, the heat pump will do the opposite, drawing in heat from outdoor air and into your home. See here  Central Heating And Air Conditioning

Heat pumps also don’t run on fossil fuels, making them a more environmentally friendly option. The cost for a heat pump system, on average, is between $3,200 and $3,700 plus labor.

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