AC Now’s Weblog

With so many choices and factors to consider, it may seem overwhelming to begin your quest to find the perfect air conditioner (AC). Whether price, efficiency or type of unit is your main decision-making factor, you can use this list as a reference guide to get the best unit suited for you.

If money is your primary concern, and you’re really only dollar-driven, then a portable AC unit will provide you with both economical and heat relief in the summertime. They range in price from approximately $100-$1000 and can be purchased at major consumer stores like Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Sears and Kmart. They’re the perfect choice if you just have a room or small apartment to cool. The first thing to consider is how much square footage you need to cool and then buy a unit designed for your specifications. If the product does not say on the package itself, ask the sales representative about how much square footage it will reasonably cool.

If you’re anxious to get a portable unit and don’t want to labor through all of the research, an easy general rule of thumb is to look for the ENERGY STAR® label on units. This designates them as ranking in the top 25 percent of efficient models. Depending on where you live, buying this type of AC unit may even qualify you for a cash rebate! Go to www.energystar.gov for details.

Starting on the higher end of the spectrum of portable AC units is the Kenmore 75101 10,000 btu. It will cool a room up to 500 square feet. Kenmore has a reputation for magically combining value and efficiency and this unit is no exception. It has an auto-start feature that keeps it running even in power outages and has an energy-saver mode on top of being ENERGY STAR® rated! Expect to pay approximately $300.

At approximately half that price and with half as much square footage coverage (200 sq. feet) a great option is the Frigidaire FAA065P7A 6,000 btu. It runs around $175. On top of being ENERGY STAR® rated, its digital display makes it easy to use and testers say that it is very quiet. It also knows how to keep itself running if your city should ever experience a blackout. It’s a great overall choice for value, efficiency and ease of use.

If money is no object and efficiency is your primary concern, then you may opt for another type of AC system altogether: Central air conditioning. It works on the same principle as the cheaper, portable units, except it requires a split system-one on the outside of your home and one on the inside of your home in order to run. Many experts recommend the Carrier Infinity 18 as one of the most advanced central-air units. The 18 in its name refers to an 18 SEER efficiency rating, which is fairly high. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and it runs on a 13-23 scale, with 18 rating as a highly efficient unit. The unit is so advanced it even announces when its filters need changing! Environmentalists take note-instead of freon, it uses a comparatively eco-friendly refrigerant called Puron. It is the only central AC system that puts you in control, allowing you to change the fan speed, humidity levels, air quality and ventilation. Aspects like this cause it to come with a price tag of about $5,000.

If you want to save about $2,000 from the Carrier Infinity 18 but still have a highly efficient unit you may want to consider the Bryant 2-speed Puron Plus 598B. It runs around $3,000 and is only slightly less efficient at 16-SEER. Reviewers mark it as consistently reliable, running on two speeds that will automatically accelerate into high gear if the weather gets very hot outside.

At about half the cost, but not half the efficiency of the Carrier Infinity 18 is the Rheem Classic 14 (also known as the Ruud Achiever 14). Lawn-care fanatics will love this-it has a specially designed protective cabinet to keep the coil from being damaged by lawnmowers or yard debris. It takes a beating and keeps on working for you. It is a basic, high-efficiency central AC unit and it’s rated at 14 SEER.

As an alternative, if you want to save money (and the environment) you can simply upgrade any existing system that you have to a more energy-efficient system. That will save you money on electricity bills in the long run and keep you cool all summer long. Call the professionals at Air Now to determine the best type of AC unit to get for your home.

Whether it is efficiency, affordability or style, our professionals can guide you through the process.