Air conditioners are a crucial home system, but what do their ratings really mean?

Everyone knows that an air conditioning unit can provide a wonderful opportunity for you to keep your home comfortable during the warmer months. In Colorado, we are known for our wide range of temperatures—everything from freezing right up to scorching! For this reason, an air conditioning unit is a very important investment to make. Rating systems for these devices can be confusing. In this article, we will explore how these ratings work.

Air Conditioner Ratings: What You Need to Know

Most homeowners want some kind of air conditioner. Whether you’re adding one to a property for the first time or simply upgrading your existing system, chances are that you want something that is worth the investment. Let’s explore what to look out for in ratings.

Efficiency

One of the top rating considerations regards efficiency. We live in a world that is focused on increasing system efficiency for a couple of reasons. The first reason is that we want systems that will help us to use less energy because it is good for the environment. Eco-friendly products are becoming a near-constant focus.

The second reason is a little more focused on what we gain specifically. High-efficiency systems use less energy, which also means that they cost less money to operate. It is easy for us to cut down on monthly expenses, particularly during the summer months, when we invest in these systems. These ratings can be incredibly important.

Lifespan

Another key consideration for rating systems is the overall lifespan. While some air conditioners are clearly built to last, others can give out sooner than we would prefer. This is a key point of consideration when choosing a system. A great air conditioner really isn’t all that great if it needs to be replaced in a few short years. 

Features

Every air conditioner is different, and ratings often consider what differences matter for certain systems. Each year, new air conditioners are rolled out—and some of them can come with some futuristic features. Better features can drive up the price of a system, but it does also help you to get the most out of your investment, which can be nice.

Customer Experience

Any time that you look at ratings from homeowners online, you will realize that they rate a little differently—for better or worse. The customer experience often plays a key role in determining how their ratings will look from a public standpoint.

The Takeaway

Ratings can tell you a lot about a system, but they don’t always tell the whole picture. You might find that your needs for an air conditioner are different from the needs of your neighbors. While ratings can help us to learn more, it is important to remember that even the top systems can run into issues throughout the years. When they do, Denver air conditioner repair services can be a huge benefit. Knowing who to call can save you time, money, and headaches too!

The modern age is built around easy access to knowledge, and this can be a really great thing. Most of us are not experts on every subject, and that can make it difficult for us to choose products in areas that we aren’t familiar with. Rating systems are often used to give us an idea of the quality of a product by giving us insight into the user experience. In this article, we will discuss what these ratings mean when you choose an air conditioning unit—and what top-rated product can improve your home.

Choosing the Best Air Conditioning System

An air conditioning unit is an important investment that can actually impact the value of your home in some cases. For this reason, it is completely understandable to want the best system that is available in the market. Unfortunately, it isn’t all that easy. Let’s talk through ratings and how you can shop to meet your needs.

Understanding Ratings

For the majority of us, ratings play a role regarding where we spend our money. A rating system can tell us a lot about how people feel about certain products—at least, it can tell us how most people feel. Ratings and reviews are important because they give us insight into the product, but the rating of a product doesn’t necessarily tell you if it will be a good fit for you.

Shopping for Your Needs

To choose a great system, it is important to figure out what really matters to you with an air conditioning unit. Having a clear understanding of what you are hoping to receive from a unit can help you to look at ratings and determine if the unit is a good fit for you. Consider price, energy efficiency, features, and noise levels before making your purchase. Looking for these traits in online ratings is a wonderful way to find a unit that works for you specifically.

The Carrier Infinity 26 Air Conditioner with Greenspeed Intelligence

The Carrier Infinity 26 Air Conditioner with Greenspeed Intelligence is a unit that has received numerous 5-start reviews in online spaces. This unit is made by Carrier, a well-known and trusted brand, and it offers a variety of exciting modern benefits that make it an easy choice. The Infinity 26 provides incredible energy efficiency, ultra-quiet sound levels, enhanced cooling, and more. This is a fan favorite online, and it is perfect for anyone looking to embrace energy efficiency and a surprisingly powerful unit with one purchase.

The Takeaway

In Denver, air conditioning is not a convenience—it is a necessity. We frequently have hot days that are known to make a home incredibly uncomfortable if left unchecked. With the booming Colorado housing market, investing in a new air conditioner can increase your comfort and add value to your home if you ever intend to sell it. To discuss your needs and find the right unit for you, feel free to contact us directly with any questions.

Every homeowner will experience heating and air conditioning issues at some point in their lives. And for the average homeowner, fixing HVAC equipment can be confusing and frustrating. Luckily, you are not required to be knowledgeable about HVAC repair and installation. After all, that’s what the professionals are for!

If you are having issues with heating and air conditioning in Denver, it’s important to reach out to a professional contractor. They can not only demystify the HVAC process, but help make you and your home more comfortable. To prepare for any potential issues, review the most frequently asked HVAC installation and repair questions below. 

What is the first step to hiring an HVAC professional to fix my heating or air conditioning unit?

There are a few important things you should do before deciding on who to hire. For those experiencing issues with their HVAC systems, consider the following steps.

Step 1, Contractor Research: With so many heating and air conditioning contractors to choose from, it’s essential to do your research first. This will help you choose a contractor who fits your needs. Look for an HVAC contractor who is communicative, knowledgeable, has great reviews, and can show you their credentials. If you don’t know where to start, ask friends and family members for recommendations.

Step 2, Get an Estimate: After you’ve made a list of your top contractors, it’s time to get an estimate for HVAC installation or repair. An HVAC representative will take time to review your system and confirm any issues. To get an “apples to apples” quote, ask for an itemized list quote. This will help you compare prices across all categories.

Step 3, Schedule Your HVAC Installation: After you’ve compared contractors and prices, it’s time to arrange the installation details. It’s important to give the contractor ample time to order any necessary parts and equipment. Typically, peak summer and winter seasons are the busiest for HVAC contractors. Staying communicative and flexible for installation time can help improve everyone’s experience. 

Can you walk me through the installation process?

The HVAC installation process is fairly simple and requires little involvement from the homeowner. Your contractor just needs access to the heating or air conditioning unit during the installation appointment time. For air conditioning units outside the home, be sure to clear the area of debris and unlock property gates if needed. You or a family member will need to be home for heating unit installation, since they are typically located inside. All equipment and installation will be handled by the contractor onsite.

What is the best heating and air conditioning system for my home?

Every home has different heating and cooling needs. New system installation is entirely dependent on cooling and heating capacity, energy efficiency, age of the home, and more. The best way to find the best HVAC system for your Denver home is to get a full system evaluation from a certified contractor. Through proper measurements, load calculation, factoring heat loss and gain, and installation techniques, your new unit will have improved efficiency and energy consumption. 

For more answers to frequently asked HVAC questions, contact your local heating and air conditioning Denver contractor.

Changing seasons is a good reminder that HVAC system maintenance is necessary. Ideally, you should get your air conditioning unit serviced once per year. If you have a dual system, heating and AC should be serviced at different times. 

Typically, the AC is serviced in the spring and the heater in the fall before usage. This gives you plenty of time to get any maintenance and repair done before the summer and winter seasons fully set in. Learn more about Denver air conditioner repair and why getting your AC unit serviced is important. 

Common Annual AC Service Tasks

When you get your AC serviced every year, your technician will perform a few common tasks. These items help your unit to perform at its peak – saving you time and money from costly repairs in future.

Your technician will perform the following:

• Clean or replace the air filters in your unit
• Inspect the coils on the inside and outside of the unit
• Ensure the condensate pump is working correctly
• Clean any dirt and debris from the unit
• Inspect the thermostat
• Visually inspect the system
• Make suggestions on what you can do in-between services to keep the unit working properly

Why is it important to get your AC unit serviced?

Having your HVAC unit serviced regularly helps to increase its effectiveness and keeps things working at full capacity for longer. For the best possible service techniques, be sure to reach out to a Denver air conditioner repair professional. This ensures that you have a skilled eye assessing your unit for any important issues.

If you forget to schedule your service appointment, don’t worry. Setting a recurring reminder on your calendar can help. Alternatively, you can keep a service log next to your unit to keep track of prior service dates. There are also a few ways to perform simple check-ups of your unit at home, too. 

What to do between services

Check and replace batteries. If the performance of the unit is being impacted, faulty batteries could be the culprit. Test your AC unit by turning it up to full power. The unit should be operating quietly, yet still noticeably cooling your home. 

Change out the air filters. Air filters commonly collect dust and debris. For top performance, it’s essential to clean or replace these filters. Check the unit instructions for replacement tips and to ensure you’re replacing with the correct filter size. The frequency of filter replacement depends on your lifestyle and home. If you have multiple pets or suffer from more allergies, replace the filters once a month. A higher quality filter can last longer while helping to pump cleaner air. 

Clean out debris. Depending on where your unit is located, debris can get stuck in the vents, drain, or filter. Mold and algae are more likely to build up if the debris isn’t cleaned out regularly. For proper unit usage, be sure it is located on a level surface with two feet of clearance around it. Remove twigs, leaves, and pollen regularly and make sure it’s properly insulated. 

Cleaning your unit can be a big challenge if it’s been a while. Luckily, a Denver air conditioner repair technician can help get these bigger challenges solved with ease. Contact Go Green Heating and Air Conditioning for more information on AC unit repair and servicing.

The HVAC market is a huge market,  with many different choices for Denver Heating. Because of this, it can be difficult and confusing. You might learn about a variety of setups and brands that are good, but not the best for you. This is why you need to know all of the various factors that go into a heating system before making your decision.

Types of Home Heating Systems

There are three main types of heating systems for homes

1. Central Heating System (Ducted System)
2. Ductless Heating System
3. Direct Heating System

We are going to discuss the first two, central heating systems and ductless heating systems.

Central Heating System (Ducted Systems)

Central heating systems give warmth to an entire home. It is created through one central heat source and can be in an accessible but secluded location. This might be found in a basement or an attic. The heat generated will spread through the home, by going through ducts or pipes inside the walls. These take up a lot of space as compared to other systems.

There are 3 main types of central heating systems:

• Furnaces: Furnaces use gas, electricity, or fuel to heat air. It goes from one area to another and goes through a web of ductwork and vents. 
• Boilers: Boilers are essentially water heaters. Unlike furnaces, these systems distribute heat within hot water. Then, it loses heat as it moves through radiators. There are no ducts but rather pumps to circulate water. 
• Heat Pumps: Heat pumps have been used for years and are able to provide year-round climate control. They are two-way air conditioners meaning that they are fully reversible. They work for both winter and summer, which is efficient.

Ductless Heating Systems

Also known as a ductless heat pump, this type of heating system does not require a web of ducts or vents to keep your home warm. This system can be installed and is not as expensive as a central heating system. The only problem is that you will require a separate system for each room. Essentially this is a stand-alone system within each room and it will be attached to an outdoor compressor. It is more energy-efficient than a central heating system.

The types of ductless heating systems include:

1. Minisplit Heat Pumps: Ductless heating systems that do not need a web of ducts. They are modern and easy to operate with a remote control.
2. Window AC with heat: Helps to mitigate heat costs and also works as an AC unit. 
3. Portable Standing Air Conditioner with Heat: Least expensive option that is also portable.

Make the Right Decision 

If cost is not a problem then the best option is to get a central heating system. If you have a lower budget, then call us to discuss what the best option would be within your price range.