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| Cooling For Your Home |
Choosing an
Air Conditioning System
Selecting an air conditioner for your home is a big decision. It’s an important
investment today. It will play a key role in your home energy expenses for years
to come. And when the summer heat is at its worst, you’ll want your family
to have the best, most reliable cooling comfort possible. Here are a few things
to consider.
 What
do good central air units have in common?
How
can I be sure my Unit is the right size?
Which
air conditioners are energy efficient?
Are
some air conditioners built better than others?
What
should I look for in a dealer?
What do good central air units
have in common?
The best ones are efficient, operating on minimal electricity to hold utility
bills down. They provide steady, reliable performance year after year when
properly maintained. Good systems are quiet, long-lasting and low in service
needs.
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How can I be sure my Unit is
the right size?
Obviously, an air conditioner that’s too small won’t keep your home
sufficiently cool. But what many don’t realize is that an oversized system
will cycle (turn on and off) more than necessary, wasting expensive energy and
possibly putting undue strain on the compressor.
A good dealer will determine the optimum size for your home by making a careful
study of your cooling requirements. Window dimensions and exposure. Floor space,
insulation and local climate. Heat-generating appliances. The direction your
home faces. Even the amount of your home’s exterior shaded by trees.
He’ll specify the cooling capacity of the system in either Btu/h (British
thermal units of heat removed per hour) or refrigeration tons (one ton being
equal to 12,000 Btu/h).
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Which air conditioners are
energy efficient?
Much like automobile manufacturers, today’s air conditioner manufacturers
are required by law to evaluate and rate their equipment according to its energy
efficiency. This rating is known in the industry as a SEER, or Seasonal Energy
Efficiency Rating. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the equipment.
Most new homes with central air come equipped with a standard builder’s
model. However, when replacement becomes necessary, property owners can upgrade
their air conditioning by specifying a more energy-efficient system.
The Ruud Achiever XIV® High Efficiency model, for example, has a SEER of
14.00, among the highest available. It’s significantly higher than today’s
standard models, many of which carry SEER’s of around 10.
High SEER models are generally more expensive, but can easily make up the difference
by reducing your home energy bills over the long run.
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Are some air conditioners
built better than others?
The compressor is the heart of a condensing unit. On a hot day, it works long
and hard. Ruud is the only manufacturer to install the highly advanced Copeland® Scroll® Compressor
in every Ruud condensing unit we produce. Scroll Compressors are recognized
by the industry as the leader in reliability, efficiency and quiet operation.
Other features to look for include louvered steel cabinets that protect the coils
from damage and expensive repair bills.
Also, with some condensing units, the fan can be another source of bothersome
noise. Ruud units have a grill design that minimizes air restriction for quieter
fan operation.
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What should I look for in
a dealer?
Reliability. Look for a dealer you see in your community. You want one who’s
close by to provide you faster, more convenient service.
He should offer a recognized name brand. And he should have a well-stocked inventory
of replacement parts. You wouldn’t want to sit out a mid-summer heat wave
waiting for a simple repair!
One way to be sure you’ll get good service is to contact a neighborhood
Ruud dealer.
Your local Ruud dealer is knowledgeable, reliable, and as good as any you’ll
find in the business. Click here to access our Dealer Locator system.
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