Air Conditioning and Furnace Repair in Austin: energy efficient ac

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

AC Replacement in Austin - Upgrading to a New Central Air Conditioning System

Air conditioning is a necessity for hot summers in Austin, if your current cooling system isn’t do that great of a job of keeping your home cool and comfortable it may be time for AC replacement or upgrading to a completely new system. Here are a few things to think about when considering an upgrade and some reasons why it is a good investment.

Reasons to Upgrade

A central air conditioning system is meant to last for about 20 years, after that things can start to degrade making it necessary for frequent repairs and eventually, replacement. Although your current system may be in good working order, it may not be operating as efficiently as it should which may be why your utility bills are higher than they have been in the past.

Higher energy usage is a sign that your system is not operating at its full potential. If your system is not that old but you are wondering about upgrading, contact your AC contractor in Austin and have them evaluate your system and make a recommendation for upgrading.

Get the Right Size

One aspect of choosing a new central air conditioner is making sure to get the right size to efficiently cool your home. If you are upgrading from a room air conditioner it will also depend on how much available space you have for ductwork. Your AC repair contractor in Austin can advise you on the size requirements for the size of your home and even install it for you.

Look for Energy Star Ratings

If you have not purchased new appliances in recent years you may not be aware of the new rating system as it applies to energy-efficiency. Energy Star appliances, including heating and cooling systems, are rated with the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) system which gives a more accurate description of its efficiency. Older systems may have had a rating of 6, but the new minimum rating for any appliance is 13 so you can see you will have a more efficient system with higher ratings.

Additional Options:

•    Variable-Speed Air Handler
•    Fan-Only switch
•    Operates quietly
•    Filter-Check Light

Newer energy-efficient models have built-in features that make it even more efficient such as a Fan-Only switch that can be used on cooler instead of running the AC and a variable speed handler that adjusts its speed to handle the home’s cooling load instead of operating at full speed continuously when it may not be necessary. Some even have an indicator light that reminds you to check the air filter.

Upgrading to a new central air conditioner is well worth the cost because the new system will work more efficiently and save you more money on utility expenses. Newer heating and cooling systems use 30 to 50% less energy than models constructed before the 1970s. Even if your old system is only 10 years old, you’ll still get a considerable savings by upgrading to a new system.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Save Money With a New, Energy Efficient Cooling System

It’s that time again, time for your yearly AC tune up and scheduled maintenance. Preparing for the summer cooling season is not something you should put off until the last minute. If your air conditioner hasn’t been working at its best, it may be time to look into AC replacement. If your unit is between 10 and 15 years old it has probably outlived its usefulness and should be replaced before summer hits. You can also save money by upgrading to a new, more energy-efficient model that requires less upkeep. Here are a few ways you benefit from purchasing a new system:

Newer Systems are More Efficient

The newer, Energy Star appliances are designed to do more but use less energy. Standard air conditioner use accounts for 50% or more of your electricity bills. If you don’t use a programmable thermostat and just keep it set at one temperature all the time, you are probably receiving bills that are at least two to three hundred dollars every month. A new system would decrease those high bills by consuming less energy.

Tax Rebates Help Defray the Cost

Another benefit of buying a new system is that there are governments rebates that help defray some of the costs and give incentives to people to buy them who may be on the fence about it. Talk to your local HVAC contractor about rebates, discounts and other incentives for new installations.

Buy When Costs are Lower

According to an article on CNN Money, the best time to buy an air conditioner is in the winter, during the off-season costs are usually lower. AC contractors tend to be less busy in the winter and you can get a new installation done pretty quickly.

Once You’ve Decided

If you have made up your mind to upgrade your old AC, the rest of the process is pretty simple. You have options when it comes to choosing a new system and you can get help to figure out which system would be best for you and your family, a new central air system, heat pump or ? Your local AC contractor can offer you some great choices and give you some information to compare products if you are not sure which one to buy.

Replacing your old, energy-sucking air conditioner with a newer energy-efficient model will greatly reduce your electricity consumption and your corresponding utility bills. The benefits of AC replacement are numerous, not only do you get a better performing cooling system but you’re also saving money when you use it.

Call ABA Heating and Cooling to find out how you can get an estimate for a new cooling system, we are experts in AC repair in Austin and we carry all brands. Our knowledgeable techs can help you choose a system that is just right for you and your home.