If you are looking for reliable air conditioning experts who can answer some common air conditioning questions, call Carrano Air HVAC Contractors Inc. at (732) 329-3784 to schedule an air conditioning service!
Air conditioning will keep you cool in New Jersey’s brutal summers, but only if it’s working properly.
If you’re like many other homeowners, you know that an unexpected air conditioner failure can turn even a beautiful, sunny New Jersey summer day into a headache.
At Carrano Air HVAC Contractors Inc. we know that one in two homeowners in New Jersey rely heavily on their air conditioning systems during the summer. As a professional South Brunswick HVAC maintenance, repair and installation team, we can help you stay cool by keeping your air conditioner working. And as the South Brunswick team of experts, we get many questions from curious homeowners looking for more information about their air conditioners.
Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions about air conditioning.
1. What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need for My Home?
It is important that you have the right size air conditioner for many different reasons. First, a unit that’s too small will struggle to keep your home cool, skyrocketing your monthly energy bills while gradually reducing the expected lifespan of your cooling system. Meanwhile, a unit that is too large runs the risk of short cycling, which in turn increases your electricity bills.
Various factors can determine what size air conditioner you need for your home, such as:
- The size of your house
- The type of home you own
- How insulated is your house?
- The size of your attic
- And more
An HVAC professional will consider these and other factors to determine what size air conditioner your home needs.
2. What Are the Different Types of Air Conditioners, and Which Is Best for Me?
Not only do you need to know what size air conditioner you need, you also need to know what type is best for your home. Luckily, you have many different options.
For example, compact central air conditioners have a compressor, evaporator, and condenser all housed in a single unit, making them ideal for smaller homes.
Central air conditioning systems are now the most common type of air conditioning system. They use an outdoor and indoor unit and move cooled and heated air through the ducts in your home.
Finally, ductless mini-split air conditioners are ideal if your home doesn’t have ducts.
3. Should I Go for Central Air Conditioning?
Central air conditioning is common in New Jersey , but is it suitable for your home? It depends on.
If you want to cool the whole house and already have a ducted system, central air conditioning could be ideal. However, installing this type of air conditioner will be more expensive if you don’t already have plumbing, as you then have to install more than just the air conditioner.
4. What Is a Zoned Cooling System?
A zone cooling system is a very efficient system that allows you to cool different areas of your home separately. For example, if you like your bedroom extra cold during the day or night, but your guest room is usually empty, you can use a zone cooling system to keep the inside temperature of your bedroom lower than your friends’ bedroom. This saves you money and at the same time allows you to enjoy maximum interior comfort.
5. How Long Will My AC Unit Last?
One of the most frequently asked questions about air conditioning is how long a system will last. Typically, your air conditioner should last between 15 and 20 years, while higher quality and properly maintained systems can last up to 25 years.
However, if you do not maintain your air conditioner properly, you will have to expect a significantly shorter service life.
6. Is It Worth Installing a Programmable Thermostat?
Installing a programmable thermostat is one of the best ways to maximize energy efficiency and save money. Programmable thermostats let you adjust the temperature throughout the day, even when you’re not at home. For example, you can set the thermostat to a higher temperature while at work and lower it just before you return home; This saves you money without sacrificing comfort.
Installed and used correctly, a programmable thermostat can save you between 15% and 25% on your air conditioning costs, which is well worth it.
7. What SEER Rating Should I Look for?
When it comes to frequently asked questions about air conditioners, we have to talk about SEER ratings.
Your air conditioner’s SEER rating is the seasonal energy efficiency ratio rating. Basically, this rating tells you how energy efficient your air conditioner is. The higher the SEER, the greater the efficiency.
Currently, the minimum efficiency rating for an air conditioner is 13, although top units have up to 21 SEER. Although equipment with a higher SEER is more expensive to install, you’ll save a lot more in the long run thanks to impressive energy savings and higher-quality equipment.
8. Can Installing a New AC System Really Save You Money?
Have you ever had to install a new air conditioning system? Then you know that this requires a significant initial investment.
So how can installing a new system actually save you money?
Your old, outdated appliance is costing you money because it increases your energy bills while requiring more maintenance and repairs. An older device is also less reliable, so it breaks down more often, leaving your home no longer as comfortable as you would like. When you install a new device, you benefit from lower energy costs, fewer repairs, and better cooling.
9. What Should I Do if My AC Unit Won’t Turn On?
When summer rolls around in New Jersey and brings with it intense sun and unbearable humidity, few things are more frustrating than an air conditioner that won’t turn on. So what can you do to restore fresh air in your home?
If your air conditioner won’t turn on, don’t panic. First, check your thermostat. In many cases, someone accidentally turns off the thermostat, which in turn turns off your air conditioner.
If your thermostat isn’t the problem, make sure a circuit breaker hasn’t tripped. You can check this by looking at the control panel.
If this is not one of the problems and you are still sweating in your home, then it is time to hire a professional to fix your air conditioner. Several factors can cause your air conditioner not to turn on. However, an HVAC professional can diagnose and fix the problem relatively quickly.
10. What Should I Do If My Air Conditioner Ices Up?
This is a common problem with air conditioners and can have a variety of causes, such as:
- Poor airflow through condenser coil
- Refrigerant level too low
- Dirty evaporator coils
- Mechanical problems, for example with the motor or fan
Regardless of the cause of your air conditioner freezing, you should call an air conditioning professional to fix the problem.
Contact Carrano Air HVAC Contractors Inc. Today
Can you imagine life without air conditioning? Although these complex systems are often long-lived, in order to get the most out of these cooling devices, you need to maintain them properly.
Carrano Air HVAC Contractors Inc. knows what it takes to keep air conditioning systems running all year round. Whether you need an emergency repair, routine maintenance, or a system reinstall, you can count on our experts.
Need more answers than you can find on this Air Conditioning FAQ page? Carrano Air HVAC Contractors Inc. has experience working on all types of air conditioning systems. So please call (732) 329-3784 to schedule a service appointment.