Questions To Ask When Replacing Your Old Air Conditioner

Did you know your air conditioner doesn’t last forever? I know, shocking as it may sound! The good news is that if you have an old air conditioning system, replacing it will save you money. Efficiency has improved a lot since that old hunk of metal was installed. However, getting a new air conditioning system needs some careful thought. Here are some questions to ask when replacing your air conditioner:

1. Will the contractor address your air conditioner replacement using a house-as-a-system approach?If possible, you should use an HVAC contractor who understands building science and will treat your replacement using a systems approach. Here at LHT Cooling, Heating & Refrigeration, Inc., we check insulation, air leakage, duct leakage, radiant heat problems in bonus rooms, etc.
2. How will the air conditioner be sized?Don’t assume that if you have a 3 ton system, it will be replaced with a 3 ton system. Or if they tell you to replace a 3 ton system with a 4 ton system and you will be much cooler. Also, the size of your replacement cannot be measured just on square footage of your home. The most common way to measure your home is with a Manual J load calculation. R-values of insulation, window types and orientation, infiltration rates and duct leakage are all taken into account to find out how many BTU’s per hour your home needs.
3. Does the contractor test for duct leakage?The actual air conditioning unit is only part of what keeps you comfortable. Improperly sized or leaking ducts play a huge role in your comfort. Many ducts do not move air efficiently because they are too small, kinked or have other restrictions. Our technicians here at LHT will measure the airflow to each room to make sure your home is cooled uniformly.

Replacing your air conditioner is a big investment. It is also an opportunity to improve the comfort level in your home. Many HVAC companies are happy to swap out your equipment in a day. But without doing the proper homework and knowing what questions to ask when replacing your air conditioner, you will be no better off and your bank balance will be less!