Today's best air conditioners use 30% to 50% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as air conditioners made in the mid 1970’s. Even if your air conditioner is only 10 years old, you may save 20% to 40% of your cooling energy costs by replacing it with a newer, more efficient model.

One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing an air conditioning system is the size and power of the unit in relationship to the cooling needs of the house. You want a unit that will be able to cool your home, but that will not use more electricity than absolutely necessary. The best way to ensure that you chose the appropriate size air conditioner is to consult with a trained technician who is experienced with the workings of multiple brands of air conditioners.

How big should your air conditioner be?

The size of an air conditioner depends on:

• The size of the home and the number of windows;
• The amount of shade that falls on your home's windows, walls, and roof;
• The amount of insulation in your home's ceiling and walls;
• That amount of air that leaks into your home from the outside; and
• The amount of heat the occupants and appliances in your home generate.

An air conditioner's efficiency, performance and durability will depend on how well the installed unit matches the above factors. Be aware that a larger air conditioner will not necessarily provide the best cooling for every home. There are several reasons why you do not want to purchase a unit that is too big for your home:

• The initial cost for a bigger air conditioning unit is higher than for a smaller unit.
• A larger air conditioner uses more electricity than a smaller unit.
• A larger-than-necessary air conditioner cycles on and off more frequently, reducing its efficiency. This causes more fluctuation in room temperature and increases the humidity in the air. In addition, this cycling wears out the compressor and electrical parts more rapidly.

Using a licensed air conditioning contractor to help you determine the proper air conditioning unit for your home will actually save you money by ensuring that you purchase the most cost efficient system based on the particulars of your home. If you would like to discuss the purchase of a new air conditioner with a trained technician, please contact us as 919-777-9777 for 24 hour live customer assistance.

For more information about air conditioning replacement services, please see our Residential Equipment Replacement page.