In simple words, a central air conditioner cools air at one place, which is then distributed to the rooms and parts of the house through ductwork and fans. The popularity of central air conditioning has increased considerably in recent years, primarily because it allows homeowners to have precise control on temperature and humidity. So, does AC fan bring in outside air? No, ACs don’t pull in air from outside, so there is no reason to bother about pollens and pollutants. If you are considering central air conditioner for your home, here are some aspects worth knowing.
- The brand. This is probably the most important factor to consider, and names like Trane and Carrier have varied options, often under different brands. In case of central air conditioners, you pay for the brand too, and it is always best to find the one that works for your budget and comes from a reliable brand.
- Temperature control. If you want precise control on temperature, go for a model that comes with a variable speed compressor. This also allows you to have more control on humidity.
- Size. Most people end up buying a central air conditioner that is either too small or big in capacity. The choice depends primarily on the size of your home, but other factors such as regional climate, overall insulation and number of windows in every room may also have a bearing on the final pick. We strongly recommend that you go for a bigger capacity central air conditioner, but not too big enough that it consumes too much of additional energy.
- A lot of people do complain that central air conditioners tend to make a lot of noise. In general, conditioners with 50-65 dB is considered to be quiet, while 66-90 dB ACs can be a tad noisy but are still bearable, given that the unit will be on the roof or outdoors. Try for the latter category if you have budget constraint.
- Energy efficiency. Probably one of the biggest factors for selecting central air conditioners, energy efficiency requires serious attention, more so because these systems are often used extensively. You need to check if the model ENERGY STAR certified models and the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratio, which should be 14 at the least.
In short, think of central air conditioner as an investment for at least the next decade, and select the model accordingly.