What factors do I consider when determining which air conditioning system to purchase?
The most important consideration is the size of the area that you’re trying to cool. Experienced HVAC contractors perform a load calculation before making a recommendation, taking into consideration the square footage of your home, the insulation of windows, and the amount of insulation in your walls and roof, among other factors. (A/C units are sold by tonnage). Just because a system is larger doesn’t mean you need it—it could be too much for your home! In addition, you’ll want to decide how efficient you want the system to be (SEER rating).