Central Air Conditioners: Reviews

High-efficiency air conditioners cost more initially, but result in the lowest energy bills and often have additional energy-saving features. High-efficiency air conditioners make sense for those who want to make a… long-term investment in a central air conditioner, live in an area with high electricity rates or long air conditioning seasons, or are willing to pay more at the time of purchase to reduce use of electricity for moral/environmental reasons. Most models are two-stage units, which cool efficiently with less on/off cycling. All use the more environmentally friendly coolant R-410A instead of R-22 (Freon).

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The government mandates that new central air conditioner efficiency ratings are at least 13 SEER. With local utility or government rebates, you can often get a more efficient air conditioner without paying more for it. A… mid-range unit won't have luxuries like two-stage cooling, but it will use R-410A refrigerant instead of ozone-damaging R-22 (Freon), which is being phased out after 2009. Many of these mid-range central AC units include extra insulation against noise and more weather-resistant hardware.

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A low-efficiency air conditioner by today's standards was a high-efficiency air conditioner a decade ago, if you're replacing an old model, your electricity will drop by as much as half. If you're on a tight budget and no… rebates are available in your state, a 13 to 14.5 SEER air conditioner is the best choice. Many contractors believe that they are the best value overall. You don't necessarily have to make other compromises with a lower-efficiency central air conditioner; some models have scroll compressors and use R-410A refrigerant.

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A split AC system uses at least two pieces of hardware. The air-handler units containing the evaporators and blowers are installed inside your home, while the compressor unit is installed outside. Split systems are more… expensive to buy, but potentially cheaper to install, and a ductless system is practical for homes that don't already have ductwork. The big advantage of a ductless mini-split system is that you can adjust temperature levels for individual rooms or areas. Split systems require more maintenance than single-box central air conditioners, however.

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