If you are a long-time St. Louis resident, avoiding the sweltering, muggy weather of summer is probably something that rockets to the top of your attention when the sun starts beating down.
Picking the best air conditioner for your home does not have to be a headache. By considering some useful information, you can make an informed decision and ensure that you choose the best air conditioner for your St. Louis home.
- Pick the right sized machine for your home: You cannot always calculate the right number of BTUs that you need from the square footage of your home alone. Other factors – such as your home ventilation system and your insulation – also come into play when picking the best air conditioner. You may think that an oversized air conditioner is the best air conditioner for you – but this can lead to serious issues like increased humidity levels in your home, uneven cooling, and a higher energy bill. Speak with a trusted St. Louis HVAC contractor about what size system you need before going shopping for the best air conditioner for you to avoid making this costly mistake.
- The climate impacts the performance of your air conditioner: In the humid weather of St. Louis, the best air conditioner for you should have a strong dehumidifier component. Taking the climate into account when you purchase your AC unit will ensure you have the best air conditioner for your home.
- Pay close attention to energy efficiency: Small differences in Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings can have an enormous impact on your energy bill. The best air conditioner for you may be more expensive up-front to get a higher SEER rating, but will save you in the long run on lower ongoing costs. A device with a SEER rating of 15 uses 20% less energy to cool than a SEER rating 13 air conditioner. Energy Star certification also means that the device uses at least 15% less energy than conventional models. It also means that the device meets certain environmental safety standards.
- Consider quality: Not all air conditioners are the same quality – the best air conditioner should last you for 15 years or longer with an annual maintenance schedule. Like many things in life, you get what you pay for with many of the discount model air conditioners. The best air conditioner units are easier to maintain and are far more energy efficient, which will wind up making up for the price difference in the long run.
Learn More About Choosing the Best Air Conditioner
If you need help doing the numbers, consider working with a great St. Louis HVAC company like Galmiche & Sons to help you to select the best air conditioner units for your home that are customized to your particular HVAC system. Just going by BTU to square footage charts can be misleading – and those mistakes can be costly. Contact us today to speak with our heating & air conditioning experts and learn more!
