If you live in an older home in Tucson, you probably love the unique history and charm of your house. However, summers may be challenging if your home still has an outdated AC unit. You might find that your old air conditioner is failing to adequately cool your home, or you may still be living with a swamp cooler to handle your home’s cooling needs. Upgrading the central air in your home can help you stay more comfortable throughout the long summer months, and it will boost the value of your home as well. To better understand the process of upgrading your central air conditioner, continue reading this helpful guide from the pros here at B & J Refrigeration:
Assessing Home Energy Use
Before installing a new air conditioner, you will want to have your AC contractor perform a home energy audit. This evaluation offers a detailed look at where energy may be wasted in your home and how these areas can be improved. Older homes often lack adequate insulation or have older, single-pane windows that cause air leaks and heat transfer, which will cause your air conditioner to work harder to cool your home.
Sealing and Insulating the Home
After a home energy audit, you’ll know where cool air is escaping your home, so you can then add sealing and insulation to patch up these areas. Attics—which are much more common in older Tucson homes—are often under-insulated, and these may be areas where heat becomes trapped in the home. Proper insulation and ventilation will prevent hot air from getting trapped in the attic, which will help you keep your home cooler. Older homes may also have spaces like garages and sunrooms that have been converted into living spaces, and these may also need additional insulation to prevent energy waste.
Selecting the Right Air Conditioner Unit
There are two key considerations for selecting a new AC unit for your home: size and energy-efficiency ratings. When considering the size of your new air conditioner, you won’t be looking at the physical size of the unit, but rather the functional capacity of the system. Air conditioner sizes are measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units), and you’ll want to have about 20 BTUs per square foot of your home. If the unit is too small, it will never be able to fully cool your home to your desired temperature. If it is too large, the unit will cool your home too quickly, causing short cycling that shortens the overall lifespan of the unit.
Upgrading Ductwork
If your home already has a heating system, swamp cooler, or central air conditioner installed, then you may not need any changes to the existing ductwork to install a new cooling system. However, some extensions, repairs, or duct sealing may be necessary to ensure that your unit works properly.
Using Your New System
Your new system will likely include a new smart thermostat, which can help you better manage indoor temperatures and program your system for optimal efficiency and comfort. Your AC technician will walk you through how to use your system so that it works as expected for years to come.
When you are searching for air conditioning companies in Tucson and the surrounding areas, look no further than B & J Refrigeration. We have been in business since 1970, and our home comfort specialists are ready to answer all your questions about installing a new air conditioner in your home.