Troubleshooting Your Furnace

Posted on: 30 May 2023

Most parts of the United States experience at least a few hot months yearly. While you might live in an area that rarely sees higher temperatures, heat waves are becoming more common almost everywhere. Since hot temperatures can be dangerous, air conditioners are an important part of any home, even in colder climates.

Of course, you probably don't want to spend more than necessary to cool your home if you only expect to use your system a few months every year. While protecting yourself from extreme temperatures is critical, you don't need to break your budget to do it. These three tips will help you minimize AC installation costs while getting a system that can handle the unexpected.

1. Don't Undersize Your Unit

A common misconception is that you can "get away" with a smaller unit if you don't intend to use your AC too often or don't care about keeping your home particularly cold. Unfortunately, air conditioning sizing is much more science than art. Your installer will perform a load calculation to determine your home's cooling needs and recommend a size to match that requirement.

Undersizing your unit won't save you money in the long run. A unit that's too small for your cooling load will run longer, leading to premature wear and increased energy costs. Your installer will consider your climate when sizing your system, so attempting to downsize will only result in a system that's too weak for your needs.

2. Install a Multi-Stage Unit

Multi-stage air conditioners typically feature variable-speed compressors that can adjust their output to the cooling load. This design has several advantages, including increased efficiency and more consistent comfort. However, multi-stage units may be particularly suitable for colder climates since they can run at reduced power on mild summer days.

Multi-stage units also offer a lot of flexibility. When summers are cool and comfortable, a multi-stage unit can efficiently handle your relatively light cooling needs. However, these units can also operate at full power, providing plenty of cooling ability if your area experiences an unusually long or intense heat wave.

3. Switch to a Heat Pump

Heat pumps are also commonly known as reversible air conditioners. Despite the name, these systems don't merely provide heating. Instead, a heat pump can operate as an air conditioner in the summer and a heating system in the winter. Modern air-source heat pumps can deal with surprisingly cold temperatures, and auxiliary heaters can further increase their range.

By installing a heat pump instead of a traditional air conditioning system, you'll save money by combining your HVAC costs. You'll get a heating system that can handle your colder climate and enjoy an air conditioner that can tackle whatever weather your summers can throw at you. 

For more information about AC installation, contact a local company.