Choosing an Air Conditioning and Heating System

Choosing an air conditioning and heating system - Choosing your heating and air conditioning system can seem like a daunting task. There are a wide variety of choices and even with the help of a reputable contractor you may have to do some research to find the system that is right for you. If you have a contractor you trust is is a good idea to ask what system choice or choices he recommends. If not you may have to make this decision for yourself before you call for free estimates. Selecting the proper equipment is crucial to keeping yourself and your family comfortable for years to come and will help save you money on energy costs and repairs.

What to Consider - Choosing your heating and air conditioning system can seem like a daunting task. There are a wide variety of choices and even with the help of a reputable contractor you may have to do some research to find the system that is right for you. If you have a contractor you trust is is a good idea to ask what system choice or choices he recommends. If not you may have to make this decision for yourself before you call for estimates. Selecting the proper equipment is crucial to keeping yourself and your family comfortable for years to come and will help save you money on energy costs and repairs.

Choose High Efficiency - One of the most important things to consider when purchasing a unit is the efficiency. The higher the efficiency of the unit the more it will cost you in the beginning but an investment in a higher efficiency system will return your investment many times over in cost savings over the course of the equipments life span. Air conditioner efficiency is rated in SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. SEER ratings tell you how much cooling you get back for a unit of electricity so the higher the number the more you get for your money. Before 1992 most units manufactured were at a 6.0 SEER rating. Today the lowest efficiency unit you can buy is a 12.0 and high efficient units start at 13.0. If you replaced a unit that was rated at 6.0 with a 12.0 you would save half of the cost of the electricity to run the unit. Two speed units can run on low speed 80% of the time which allow them to get ratings as high as 16.0+ SEER.

Efficiency - Most heaters are rated in AFUE or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. AFUE measures the amount of heat actually delivered to your house compared to the amount of fuel that you must supply to the furnace. A furnace that has an 80% AFUE rating converts 80% of the fuel that you supply to heat and the other 20% is lost out the chimney. AFUE refers only to the unit's fuel efficiency and not its electrical usage.

Noise level - Another important factor to consider when buying a unit is its noise level. If your unit has a low sound level, you will hardly notice it is operating while high levels may mean many sleepless nights and annoyed neighbors. Air conditioning and heating equipment is rated by a sound rating number or SRN which is based on American Refrigeration Institute tests and range from from 6.8 which is the quietest to 13 which is the loudest. Most air conditioners operate at from 7 to 9 bels. It doesn't sound like much but a unit operating at 9 bels is actually 10 times louder than a unit operating at 8 bels.

Don't Forget the Ductwork - While you are replacing your system consider having your ductwork checked to see if it needs any repairs or if it needs to be replaced. If some rooms in your home are too hot or too cold, if the insulation on your ductwork is peeling or if there is a buildup of contaminates inside consider having your ducts evaluated to see if they need replacing. Also return air grilles and grills in each room should be evaluated to see if they are properly sized and working correctly. Grills can be purchased from our online store or from a reputable contractor.

Return Air Grills - Ceiling Grills

Consider a Programmable Thermostat - If your house is empty for part of the day consider investing in a programmable thermostat. This will allow you to set your unit to a higher temperature while you are gone and then have it drop back to a comfortable level thirty minutes before you are due to arrive home. Some people also like to set a different temperature for when they are asleep then their waking hours. Most thermostats can be set for a particular day of the week so you can bypass your program or change it on days when you are home.

Consider Your Comfort - There are other add-ons to your system that you might consider to increase your comfort level and help your system to keep you healthier. Air cleaners are great for those with allergies and will help keep your house cleaner. These range from simple electrostatic filters to more expensive electronic air cleaners and ultraviolet filters. Humidifiers can help with dry skin, sore throats, breathing problems, cracking wood, and help with static electricity. Thermidistats are like a traditional thermostats but also monitors and controls humidity. Zoning Systems divide your home into several separate zones or areas with similar comfort needs with separatethermostats and dampers that automatically adjust the temperature in each of those zones. This allows you to cool only the area where you need it so you save money. Also you can allow different people in the same home to adjust the comfort level to suit themselves.

Consider your Unique Needs - Since everybody's home is unique you will want to enlist the help of a reputable contractor to sort through the options. A good contactor will be able to help you balance your budget considerations, utilities available, your need for comfort, logistical consideration, climate in your area, and and other factors.

Company Profile of Ra-Jac Services Air Conditioning and Heating TX - Our goal - Since 1966 we have been providing professional and affordable residential, commercial and industrial air conditioning and heating service and installation to our customers in and around the Galveston County area. Our goal is exemplary service built on honesty, education, certification, and high ethical standards. As a result we are quickly growing into one of the leading heating and air condition service companies in the Southern Texas area.

Our Texas Service Areas -- If you are in the Algoa, Arcadia, Bacliff, Bayou Vista, Clear Lake City, Clear Lake Shores, Dickinson, El Lago, Friendswood, Galveston, Hitchcock, Kemah, La Marque, League City, Nasa Area, Nassau Bay, San Leon, Santa Fe, Seabrook, Taylor Lake Village, Texas City, Tiki Island, or the Webster Texas areas and want a professional to maintain your air conditioning, heating or air cleaning and filtration system contact us at (409) 945-4171. We provide top notch service to keep your home and office air conditioner and heater working efficiently and effectively. Your comfort is our top priority

Selecting a Contractor