Choosing the best central air conditioner is not easy; that’s why we created this guide. These guidelines in choosing the best central air conditioner are useful whether you are at the beginning or the end of your product search. Let’s get started!
#1: Start with measuring the square footage of your home.
The square footage of the home doesn’t include the entire area of the lot. However, if your home has two stories, you need to also measure the square footage of the upper floor. This is because the cooling capacity of air conditioners is measured according to the land area that they will be cooling.
#2: According to the size of your home, identify the cooling capacity that the central air conditioner should have in order to cool it optimally.
Air conditioners shouldn’t just be bought right then and there – they need to match the needs of the homeowner. And a central air conditioner can only do this if its cooling capacity is enough to cool the entire household. If your home is 800 square feet, you need an air conditioner with at least 18,000 BTU of cooling capacity. If it’s too low, it may not be able to cool the home effectively. On the other hand, if it’s too high, your energy consumption will be too high.
#3: Find the best brands in the market.
Before shopping, always bear in mind that the brand isn’t just a name – it’s a powerful indicator of quality. Buying from a good brand gives you reassurance that you’ll be able to find quality repair or service centers if the need arises. It will be easier for you to have your air conditioner fixed by a professional repairman if it comes from a good brand like LG, Goodman, Trane, Bryant, and Carrier.
#4: Filter your search for each brand according to the cooling capacity of the models.
Since your entire search should be based on the cooling capacity of the unit, you should filter it firsthand. It’s easier to do this if you browse online. All of the ideal central air conditioner brands have websites and all of their products are available there. You can get complete details of each model by visiting the sites of these air conditioner brands. Once there, you can filter the selection based on the BTU or cooling capacity that you want from your central air conditioner, whether 15,000, 18,000, or 21,000 BTU.
#5: Depending on your budget, choose 3-5 prospective models from these different brands.
Goodman and Bryant have some very good models of central air conditioners. If you find any model that has the BTU that you want and is priced within your budget range, keep it. This is probably one of the models that you would prefer to have in your home.
#6: Compare the features of the devices; especially their energy efficiency, functionality, special features and options.
The cooling capacity and the price should be the top factors in your search, but they aren’t everything. Compare the features of the devices. You might want to look for these features: EER, remote control, display, timer, filter, and exhaust.
#7: The specifications of the device should also be considered.
The specifications of the unit include its dimensions, power consumption, materials and components, and other built-in aspects of the device. The technology refers to the level of the model. Is it high-end? Is it ordinary? Can you consider it as a technologically advanced model or is it simple and not as expensive as it is actually priced? These will be very important in measuring the real value of the device.
#8: Finally, choose the central air conditioner that really catches your attention and wins your heart.
With these factors in mind, you can find the unit that matches your needs and preferences. But if at the end of the search, you end up with two perfect units and you can’t really decide which one to buy, assess which one is more worth the price and more aesthetically appealing for your home.
Conclusion
Although there are many brands and models of central air conditioners in the market, it’s not easy to find the best central air conditioner. We hope that you found this guide helpful in your search and that you’ve already started working your way towards identifying the central air conditioner that will best fit your preferences.