10 Reasons Why You Should Invest in an Air Conditioner: A Buying Guide

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Are you curious about where to buy an air conditioner? Homeowners should consider this information carefully, as they don't want to overpay for an appliance. On the other hand, you want to invest in an AC unit that functions well and lasts for years!

10 reasons to invest in an air conditioner:

1. Better breathing
2. Less risk of mold
3. Fewer insects in the home
4. Improved sleep, less fatigue
5. Less chance of heat-related illnesses
6. Less risk of dehydration
7. More encouragement to exercise
8. Protects electronics
9. Increased home security and noise insulation
10. Increased home values

If you've been putting off getting a new air conditioner, knowing why they're vital is essential. Also, some helpful tips on where to buy one can make the process simpler for everyone.

With this in mind, check out these reasons to invest in an air conditioner in more detail. Then, you'll know more about what you need and can consider where to buy an AC for your home.

Should I Get an Air Conditioner at Home?

Note some added details about why air conditioners are necessary for any home. Then, talk to an HVAC contractor near you for more information about your home's cooling needs.

1. Air conditioners help filter the home's mold, pollen, dust, and other irritants. In turn, using the AC can mean improved air quality and less risk of asthma, allergy attacks, and other breathing issues.
2. Air conditioners remove humidity as well as heat. Consequently, using an AC means less risk of mold and mildew along walls, furniture, and underneath carpeting. Eliminating excess moisture reduces wood rot in the home's framing and flooring.
3. As an AC unit pulls air from a room and circulates it through the compressor, it also runs through the furnace filter. This filter traps insects and parasites that might burrow into carpeting and furniture.
4. When you're hot, the body uses fluids to cool itself. Your body needs proper fluid levels to function well, so this process often creates fatigue. Ironically, being too hot can also prevent sleep! Using an air conditioner means improved sleep and less fatigue.
5. Even when indoors, a person might suffer heat-related illnesses. These include cramps, exhaustion, and even strokes. Consequently, using an air conditioner on hot summer days protects your health overall.
6. Depleting fluids to cool yourself also risks dehydration. Dehydration can lead to headaches, sleep disturbances, constipation, and digestive disorders. On the other hand, staying cool avoids these risks and helps you stay hydrated properly.
7. Most people wish they would exercise more when at home. However, being overly warm and fatigued only encourages lethargy. On the contrary, a cool and comfortable home means fewer reasons to avoid getting on that treadmill.
8. Excess heat and humidity in a home damage delicate electronics, including computers and gaming systems. Overly warm electronics can even lose memory and shut down completely! Additionally, humidity risks rusted appliances, especially in basements and other areas prone to high moisture levels. Having a functioning AC protects those appliances and electronics from damage.
9. When you run your home's air conditioner, you typically keep the windows closed. Closed windows make it harder for someone to break in! Also, those closed windows block outside noise for a quieter interior atmosphere.
10. Property appraisers set home values based on what buyers might pay for that house. Considering all the benefits of air conditioners, it's no wonder that buyers prefer them! As a result, investing in an air conditioner can mean increased property values.

Your Air Conditioning Buying Guide

Now that you know more about AC benefits, it's time to consider how and where to buy an air conditioner. First, it's good to consider the several different types of air conditioners from which to choose. Also, remember that you can purchase more than one type for maximum control over home cooling!

Central air conditioners

Central air conditioners attach to the home's ductwork. These include a compressor housing unit installed outside the home. That central unit pulls air through the ducts and the compressor, which removes heat. The unit then blows the cooled air back into interior spaces.

A central air conditioner is excellent for cooling the entire home rather than one room. It also removes maximum humidity. However, the downside to a central unit is that it cools the whole home whether you need it to or not! This can mean wasted electricity on days when you only need certain rooms cooled.

Split systems

Split systems attach to a wall or ceiling, with a vent hose to the home's exterior. The split system pulls air in through its front panel, removes heat from that air, and pushes it back into the room. A split system then works without ductwork.

Split systems offer more cooling power and range than window or portable units. They're an excellent choice if you need to cool more than one large room but not the entire home. For instance, you might choose a split system for an open living and dining area.

Window and portable AC units

Window air conditioners, as the name implies, sit in a windowsill. The front of the unit pulls in air and removes heat. The unit then vents that heat outside and blows the cool air back into the room.

Portable AC units are similar; these have a front panel to pull in and circulate air. They also have a vent hose that sits on a windowsill. As you might expect, you can move a portable unit from one spot to another. However, the unit must vent warm air out a window!

Window and portable units are excellent choices for smaller spaces such as bedrooms. Also, you might invest in a window or portable until even if the home has a central or split unit. You can turn off the larger unit when you only need to cool one room!

What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?

Manufacturers measure air conditioner power with BTU or British Thermal Units. You don't need to understand how BTU works to choose an AC with enough BTU for your needs! First, note that central units provide cooling by the ton. Second, AC contractors typically recommend 20 BTU for every square foot of living space.

You might choose a 2-ton air conditioner unit for a 1000-1500 square foot house. Choose a 3-ton unit for 2000 square feet, and so on. However, homeowners should adjust this measurement as needed for their home:

• Homes without much outside shade might hold heat more readily than others. Consequently, you might choose a more powerful AC unit if this describes your home!
• Is there anything inside your home that creates more heat than usual? This can include lots of electronics, using the oven consistently, or using the fireplace in the summertime. An undersized AC unit might be unable to keep up with all that added heat!
• While an undersized unit might not offer the cooling needed for your house, avoid an overly large appliance. A larger unit might cycle off before removing humidity and heat. In turn, your home might feel cool but damp and clammy.
• Additionally, there's no need to pay for an oversized unit, perhaps assuming it will cool your home faster or more efficiently. Instead, that larger unit cycling off more rapidly means more wear and tear. As such, you might pay more for repairs over the lifetime of AC ownership.

Lastly, remember that an AC contractor can advise on the best home unit. Their advice ensures you choose a unit that's not too large or undersized for proper and comfortable cooling.

Where Is the Best Place to Buy an Air Conditioner?

Now that you know how to choose an air conditioner, let's consider where you might shop! There is no "best" place to buy an air conditioner; however, think about what to look for when shopping. First, name-brand appliances like Trane and Carrier almost always outlast off-brand choices. Second, consider the risk of a smaller store going out of business anytime soon.

If a small store closes the shop, will an AC manufacturer still honor the appliance warranty? Check on this before being enticed by a lower price or other promises! Also, can you install the appliance yourself? If not, choose a national home goods store with licensed installers to tackle the job for you.

Lastly, note that many air conditioning contractors offer AC installation. They often have access to wholesale suppliers and can manage buying and installing the unit for you. If shopping for an AC unit seems overwhelming, you might simply call a reputable company in your area. Having them remove the current unit and install a new one means less stress and hassle overall.

Rhode Island HVAC Services is happy to help explain where to buy an air conditioner for your home. Hopefully, we've offered some practical tips to consider when shopping. Also, if you're in the area, call our Providence air conditioning contractors for more assistance. We provide expert repairs and HVAC installation at affordable prices. To get your property started, call us today!