| | Air conditioning installation is money well spent since today's systems can be two or even three times more efficient than older systems. So that even if your air conditioner is only 10 years old, you may save 20% to 40% on your energy costs by replacing it and installing a newer, more efficient model. A quality system cools more evenly, with better air filtration, improving the air quality of your home.
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| An important consideration in air conditioning installation is the correct sizing of the air conditioning unit. Air conditioners are rated by the number of British Thermal Units (Btu) of heat they can remove per hour. The size of an air conditioner depends on a variety of factors including: the size of your home and how many windows it has, the amount of shade on your home, how well insulated your home is, how much air leaks into your home from outside and how much heat the occupants and appliances in your home generate. An air conditioner's efficiency, performance, durability, and initial cost depend on matching its size to these factors.
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|  A larger air conditioner will not necessarily provide the best cooling. Installing an oversized air conditioner penalizes you in the following ways. It costs more to buy a larger air conditioner than you need. An over-sized air conditioner cycles on and off more frequently—reducing its efficiency. Frequent cycling makes indoor temperatures fluctuate more and results in a less comfortable environment. Frequent cycling also inhibits moisture removal, which decreases comfort and increases the possibility of the growth of mold and other allergens. In addition, this cycling wears out the compressor and electrical parts more rapidly. A larger air conditioner uses more electricity and creates added demands on your electrical system.
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| Air conditioner efficiency is another consideration in air conditioning installation. Each air conditioner has an energy-efficiency rating that lists how many Btu per hour are removed for each watt of power it draws. For room air conditioners, this efficiency rating is the Energy Efficiency Ratio, or EER. For central air conditioners, it is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER. These ratings are posted on an Energy Guide Label, which must be attached to all new air conditioners. Additionally, many air conditioner manufacturers are participants in the voluntary EnergyStar® labeling program. EnergyStar®-labeled appliances mean that they have high EER and SEER ratings.
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| In general, new air conditioners with higher EERs or SEERs have higher price tags. However, the higher initial cost of an energy-efficient model will be repaid to you several times during its life span. Rebates are available through PG&E and quality manufacturers such as Amana, Bryant and Goodman. Install the most efficient air conditioner you can afford, especially if you use (or think you will use) an air conditioner frequently and/or if your electricity rates are high.
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| Choosing a contractor may be the most important task in buying and installing a new air conditioning system. Ask prospective contractors for recent references. If you are replacing your central air conditioner, tell your contractor what you liked and did not like about the old system. If the system failed, ask the contractor to find out why. The best time to fix existing problems is when a new system is being installed. Select an installation contractor who respects your time, such as California Energy Consultants, who utilize GPS tracking to help manage, schedule and predict arrival times for your air conditioning installation. They take extra measures to protect all areas where work is performed. Drop cloths are used to protect flooring. All work areas are cleaned, vacuumed, and put back to their original condition. A safe working environment is maintained for workers and your family.
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| The design aspect of air conditioning installation should be a painless process. Your contractor should use a written calculation procedure or computer program to size the air conditioner, provide a written contract listing the main points of your installation, and give you a written warranty on equipment and workmanship. Avoid making your decision solely on the basis of price. The quality of the installation should be your highest priority, because quality will determine energy cost, comfort, and durability.
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|  A quality air conditioning installation will produce a system that performs efficiently for years with only minor routine maintenance. Your contractor should install a system that allows adequate indoor space for the installation, maintenance, and repair of the new system, including an access door to clean the evaporator coil. Air ducts should be sized using accepted methods such as the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Manual D. Duct work should be installed within the conditioned space, if possible, or insulated where it must be run outside the treated area. Air ducts must be sealed with approved duct mastic. There should be enough supply registers to deliver cool air and enough return air registers to carry warm air back to the air conditioner. The condensing unit should be located where its noise will not be a problem and in a shady spot to reduce energy costs. The air conditioner’s air flow rate and exact refrigerant charge should match the manufacturer’s specifications. The thermostat should be located away from heat sources, such as windows or supply registers.
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