In today’s blog, the team at Rainforest Plumbing & Air will explain how a properly sized AC is crucial for home comfort, and how to ensure you get it right! From measuring the square footage of your home and being familiar with how an AC works, to the importance of professional installation, we’ve got you covered!
Living in Phoenix means enduring scorching temperatures basically year round, and this demands a reliable air conditioner to help keep you cool and sane. But did you know that the size of your AC is just as crucial as having one?
An improperly sized AC can lead to steadily increasing energy bills, frequent repairs and more! In this blog, the cooling experts at Rainforest Plumbing & Air will explain why getting the right sized AC is vital for Phoenix residents and guide you through the process of selecting the perfect fit for your home.
Whether you’re installing a new system, or replacing an aging one, understanding proper sizing can make all the difference in your comfort and savings. So grab a cool drink, and let’s begin!
Understanding Your AC
Your AC is a complex system, and understanding how all the components work together is an important first step to the sizing process.
Compressor
The compressor is often fondly referred to as the heart of the air conditioner, and is responsible for circulating the refrigerant between the inside and outside units. It also increases the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant, preparing it for heat exchange.
Condenser Coil
Located in your AC’s outdoor portion, the condenser coil releases the heat absorbed from your home into the outside air. As the warmed refrigerant passes over the coils it cools down and changes from gas to liquid.
Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil is situated inside your home, usually within an air handler or the furnace portion of your HVAC system, and it absorbs the heat from your home. The refrigerant inside the coil evaporates turning into a gas as it envelops the warmed air.
Expansion Valve
This part of your AC regulates the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator coil, ensuring it remains at a consistent pressure, allowing for efficient heat absorption.
Blower Fan
The blower fan circulates air over the evaporator coil, moving cooled air throughout your home via the connecting ductwork. It’s one of the most important components when it comes to maintaining a consistent, comfortable temperature.
Thermostat
Finally, we have the all-mighty thermostat. As the control center, the thermostat monitors indoor temperature and signals your AC to turn on and off as needed to maintain comfort.
When all of these components are firing and functioning optimally, they quickly remove heat from your home even on the hottest desert days. But even the best functioning components are no match for an improperly sized AC.
Understanding Air Conditioner Sizing
Making sure you have the correct size AC is key to maintaining efficiency and improving longevity. Here are some factors to consider:
Square Footage
The most obvious consideration, at least we hope so, is knowing the total square footage of your home. Larger homes require more cooling power, which often means a larger AC. A rough industry standard is about 20 BTU of cooling power per square foot of living space, but this is only a starting point and doesn’t account for these other factors.
Climate Zone
We’re all too familiar with our desert climate, and how we fall within one of the hottest climate zones in the country. And this extreme heat directly impacts our cooling requirements. Meaning even smaller homes will require bigger units, than some of our more northern neighbors.
Insulation Quality
The quality of your home’s insulation affects how well it retains the newly cooled air being pumped out from your AC. Better insulation reduces the stress on your unit, meaning homes with worse insulation will need a more powerful unit to achieve the same cooling comfort as their friends with newer, thicker insulation.
Duct Work Quality
Leaky or poorly designed ducts can result in significant energy loss requiring a bigger AC to maintain cooling levels. Ensuring your duct work is well sealed can enhance the overall efficiency and performance of your new system.
Window Size & Location
Large windows are wonderful for letting in light, and appreciating our beautiful desert landscape. But they are also one of the biggest culprits for increased heat. A properly sized AC takes into account the size and location of your windows to ensure adequate cooling and airflow.
Number Of Occupants
The number of people living in your home also affects the size of your AC. Each person (or pet) adds heat to the home, so more occupants means a bigger AC.
Energy Efficiency
When sizing and choosing your new AC, make sure you look into its SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). Higher SEER ratings indicate more energy efficient units which can offset the increased operating costs of larger AC units. While energy efficient units have a bigger upfront cost, the energy savings over time, typically balance it out and make it a more attractive choice in the long-run.
The Importance Of Professional Service
The team at Rainforest Plumbing & Air has been the Phoenix Valley’s #1 choice for AC installation for over 20 years, and we know our stuff when it comes to properly sizing your new system.
Here’s what you can expect from our installation process:
What To Expect
When you book your AC installation with Rainforest Plumbing & Air, your personal, trained technician will come to your home to begin your evaluation. Your technician will examine your existing unit, the size of your home and the amount of people in your home, to quickly give you the best equipment options.
Your technician will also take thorough measurements of the square footage of your home, windows, doors as well as inspect the condition of your duct work to ensure proper sizing before handing you your unique, personalized quote.
All AC recommendations are explained in detail and consider your home’s efficiency, size and power needs; as well as, our most popular models, and any cool features such as wifi compatibility.
Once the unit is agreed upon your technician will professionally and efficiently install it within 6-8 hours, making sure to maintain a clean workspace with minimal interruption to your day to day life. Once installation is complete, your technician will troubleshoot to ensure functionality and then walk you through the operation and go over warranty information.
Don’t Neglect Maintenance
Once your properly sized AC is up and running, ensure it stays that way with regular tune-ups from our team.
The typical lifespan of an air conditioner is 10-15 years, but with our comprehensive tune-ups we can potentially increase that to 20 or more! Our comprehensive tune-up service includes:
- Air balancing
- Troubleshooting
- Coil cleaning
- Air flow inspection
- Energy efficiency optimization
- Indoor air quality enhancement
Tune-ups are great for preventing costly repairs and keeping your unit under warranty, so call us today to schedule yours!
And hey, while you’re here, have you heard about the Cabana Club? The Cabana Club is our exclusive membership program offering priority service and peace of mind with annual inspections and maintenance, along with discounts on service and equipment and priority service! Chat with your technician today!
Investing in the right sized air conditioner not only enhances your comfort but also reduces wear and tear on the system. And remember professional installation is key for performance and longevity, so trust our experienced team of technicians with your new AC.
At Rainforest Plumbing & Air we make it easy to get a great deal on your new air conditioner install. We offer financing options to fit any budget, and with our Upfront Guarantee you’ll never have to deal with last-minute or hidden fees. AC install starts as low as $99/month, so don’t delay, call today!
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