Are you thinking of replacing your air conditioner? Now is an excellent time to upgrade to a system that best meets your needs.
Considering your climate, the average temperatures in your area, and other seasonal considerations can help you choose the best air conditioner for your family. Review these tips, then contact your local AC experts at Paragon Heating and Home Comfort Solutions for professional advice and recommendations.
Consider Your Average Humidity Levels
Does your home often feel humid, even when the air conditioner is running? Areas with high humidity levels and extensive rainfall, like Washington, need HVAC systems that can effectively combat the moisture entering their outdoor units.
Modern air conditioners cool the air by passing it over evaporator coils. When the air is humid, the moisture condenses into water droplets, which are then collected in a drain pan and removed from the system through a drain line.
If your home often feels humid when running the AC, the chances are good that your drain line is clogged or not functioning at the capacity you need it to. Either a service or new unit (if needed) will likely solve this issue, but you can look for other features that also help decrease humidity, such as:
- “Dry” mode features
- Built-in dehumidifiers
- Variable speed and longer run times, effectively keeping your home cool
Air conditioning units with high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings might also provide more effective humidity control. The SEER rating indicates the unit’s energy efficiency. Generally, a rating of 16 or higher indicates a highly energy-efficient unit that can effectively cool your home while keeping your electric bills manageable.
Think About the Temperature Extremes Your Home Experiences
Not every climate requires central air conditioning. Milder ones, like what we often experience up here in Washington, sometimes do well with ductless mini-split units instead.
These units cool individual rooms in your home rather than using ductwork to transport air throughout the house. They work by transferring heat indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather conditions. In the summer, they pull heat out of the room, pass it over evaporator coils, and send it back into the room cooled. In the winter, the outdoor unit draws heat from the cold outside air, transferring it indoors.
While these units aren’t always suitable for hot climates like Florida or Arizona, they may be a good option to consider for your Washington home. Zoning your cooling in this way can also save you significant money on energy bills and reduce your home’s carbon footprint.
Evaluate Your Need for Air Filtration Features
When thinking of seasonal considerations for your air conditioner, don’t forget to consider allergies. Low-quality and outdated AC units do a poor job of filtering dust, pollen, allergens, and other airborne particles from the air before sending it throughout your home. This can make your allergies just as bad indoors as they are outside.
Modern air conditioners include effective air purification features that can make your home an allergen-free haven. During your search for the best air conditioner, explore features like:
- Ionization filters, which send negatively charged ions into the air to latch onto airborne particles, making them too heavy to stay suspended
- High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, which trap microscopic contaminants that traditional HVAC filters miss. These filters can trap up to 99.97% of airborne particles, significantly improving air quality and purity
- Streamer technology, which uses high-power plasma discharge to create high-speed electrons that eliminate harmful bacteria, allergens, and odors, making your home feel cleaner and fresher
- UV-C lights, which use ultraviolet radiation to break down pathogens, viruses, and bacteria in the air and minimize the circulation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) throughout your home
If the above information feels a bit overwhelming, leaving you unsure how to evaluate the best features for your air filtration needs, consult your local AC repair and installation company. They will explain what these features might actually look like in your unit and recommend certain systems with your desired capabilities.
Paragon Heating and Home Comfort Solutions: Your Air Conditioner Installation Experts
Choosing the best air conditioner unit might feel like an overwhelming task, but focusing on seasonal considerations is a great starting point to begin narrowing your options. At Paragon Heating and Home Comfort Solutions, we help residents in the greater Snohomish County area maximize their home comfort with reliable heating and cooling services.
Call us today at 425-312-6341 to get a quote or schedule a consultation with our HVAC experts.