Questions to Ask Before Installing a Central Air Conditioner

The installation of central air conditioning is a huge upgrade in terms of convenience and comfort. This type of cooling system can keep an entire house cool even on the hottest days, and it can do the job more efficiently than window AC units. However, before getting your own central air conditioner, it’s best to learn more about how it works.

In this post, air conditioning service contractor Albert Air answers some of the most important questions you should ask before installing central air conditioning.

Is central air conditioning the best option for my home?

If only a few rooms need to be cooled, a split air conditioning system may be a better choice than central air conditioning. A split AC lets you set different temperatures in different rooms without having to use special ductwork. However, only central AC with a zoning feature can offer the most convenient option for setting temperatures without requiring you to walk around the house. It also tends to be more accurate because everything works together in one system.

How large is the space?

Before installing central air conditioning, make sure you’re getting the appropriate size for your home. An oversized system will turn on and off frequently and will cool the house so quickly that it might not be able to remove the humidity from the air — which is significant to your indoor comfort. If the system is too small, on the other hand, it will run constantly, which will raise your energy bills and prematurely wear out the equipment. Your HVAC repair contractor should show you a printout of a heat load calculation for your home. This calculation takes into account factors like your home’s location, the size of your living space (in cubic feet), the number and size of windows, the orientation to the sun and more. 

Does my home already have ductwork?

Ducts will greatly affect your decision. Your home may already have existing ductwork because it was put in when the house was built. If you’re thinking of replacing an older central AC system, it would be cost-effective to install a new central system.

Do I want a more discreet cooling system?

Ductless split systems are far less bulky and won’t affect your interior design as much as window units will. That said, ductless split systems are still quite visible and can impact the appearance of your space. For some homeowners, it’s not desirable to have a large piece of equipment disrupting the design and ambiance of their rooms after going to great lengths to decorate their spaces. In this case, central air conditioning is the best choice.

There’s no need to spend a lot of time looking up “air conditioning repair near me,” because you can count on Albert Air for quality services. We’re the leading source of heating and air conditioning services in the area. Give us a call at (714) 526-6368 or fill out our contact form to schedule a service appointment.