Aire Serv® Of The Heartland

Too Much. Too Little. Just Right.

Like Goldilocks, you need to find just the right system — not too big and not too small.
Story By: Phyllis Schiller - Photography By Sam Martinez

If choosing a new central air conditioner has you breaking out in a cold sweat, relax! Getting the answers to a few simple questions can give you the information you need to purchase and maintain a system that will keep your house cool and comfy all summer long. The cost of the new system can be paid back over time with savings on your utility bills.

Look for the Signs

If your present system is older than 10 years, it’s time to start thinking about replacing it, according to the Department of Energy (DOE).Older central air conditioners just aren’t as efficient as today’s newer units. Those meeting the Energy Star guidelines of the DOE and the Environmental Protection Agency use 20 percent less energy than standard models.

Is Bigger Better?

Not necessarily. Like Goldilocks, you need to find just the right system— not too big and not too small. If it’s the former, it will cycle on and off constantly but not run long enough to deliver even temperature throughout the house or properly dehumidify the air. If it’s too small, it won’t create sufficient airflow and will have to run constantly to cool off the house. Either way, it puts strain on the system resulting in wasted energy and a shortened life span. When you are purchasing a new air conditioning unit, it is not always a good idea to size up your current one. Even if the unit was correctly sized when your home was built, chances are, home improvements have been made since then and anything from new insulation to weather stripping can alter your house’s requirements of a cooling system. “Over the years, houses change,” points out Steve Terschluse, president of Aire Serv® of Southern Illinois, an independently owned and operated franchise, located in Belleville, Illinois. “People put in new windows, add a room, or finish a basement and, frankly, the original unit may not have been sized properly.” So the only way to truthfully determine the requirements for any specific residence, he points out, is to have the contractor do a cooling and heating load calculation for that specific residence. “That entails measuring all windows, walls, and roof space as well as any areas that are exposed to outdoor ambient conditions or any space in general that’s going to be heated or cooled,” says Terschluse.

“Moreover,” says Randy Smith, president of Aire Serv® of Central Indiana, located in Mooresville, Indiana, “weather stripping and insulation affects the operation of the air conditioner. If the house is really loose, then the air conditioner is going to have to work harder and longer to try to cool it because it has to overcome outdoor air that’s getting in. If you tighten up a home and make it energy efficient, your air conditioner may then be oversized for the space.”

Weighing Your Options

Today’s air conditioning systems offer some really cool bells and whistles to consider. There are variable speed units, which tend to be a bit quieter and circulate the air continuously if you have an air purification system; a check filter switch lets you know when to change the filter; and surge protectors to protect the outdoor unit incase of lightning, brownout conditions, or voltage surges. Some units have a condensation float switch, or “the ceiling saver,” that shuts off the system if the drain gets plugged up to prevent overflowing and water damage. You can also add a programmable thermostat as well as a humidification system. One thing to look for when purchasing your unit is higher efficiency. Most units purchased today will be more efficient than systems designed 15 years ago. Super high efficiency models are available if your utility costs justify the additional investment.

Perhaps the most important upgrade is an air filtration system, an important issue now that newer houses are so tightly sealed. “There are many different types, from a bare-bones filter that collects a little dust every once in a while to a full-blown, whole-house filtration system like the ASATS unit that removes allergens and toxins,” says Terschluse. Keep in mind that filters need to be changed regularly. The frequency depends upon the filter type and conditions in your home. It can go from a monthly basis to every two or three months.

The Extras

Have a contractor perform an on-site inspection and clearly spell out in detail exactly what work will be done. Be sure to review a layout of the system, calculations of savings, and diagnosis of problems that require repair work. Make sure you understand what the warranty on equipment, parts, and labor covers.

Most companies offer different levels of warranties on their heating and cooling systems. “Some might have a one-year parts warranty, others, a five-year parts warranty but these might not include any labor. So a customer would definitely want to know what the warranties cover,” states Smith. Labor can be the biggest part of any repair bill. The most comprehensive warranty will include coverage on parts, labor, and most, if not all, of the components of the system. “It’s the same as taking out an insurance policy,” says Terschluse. You might also want to enter into a planned maintenance agreement where the contractor regularly makes sure “the system is cleaned, maintained, and running efficiently,” says Smith. Systems have become more sophisticated and require routine cleaning and adjustments for peak performances.

A Lasting Relationship

It’s best to have the system checked out twice a year: once for cooling and once for heating. If your furnace is the heart of your home comfort system, the ductwork is the arteries feeding conditioned air throughout your home. Checking for air leakage and sealing ductwork can keep rooms more comfortable and save on utility costs. Cleaning ductwork is also something most heating and cooling contractors should offer.

Be sure outdoor units are placed out of the sun and away from plants or shrubbery. At the same time, they should, if possible, be easily accessible. The thermostat should be placed in a shaded area, away from refrigerators, stoves, and lamps and not directly over a computer; all of which can generate heat.

Avoid placing furniture directly in front of vents. If the idea of vents intruding in your interior design scheme concerns you, try camouflaging them by painting them the same color as the wall. While most vents are painted aluminum there are more decorative options, including those with a wood finish.

During the months you are using your air conditioning, keep doors and windows closed to prevent warm air from getting into the house and shade windows from the sun.

Phyllis Schiller is a New York-based freelance writer. Her work has recently appeared in Woman’s Day Home Remodeling & Makeovers, Decorating Ideas, and Walls, Windows Floors magazine.