"A COOL WORLD AIR CONDITIONING INSTALLS & SERVICES RUUD
AIR CONDITIONERS "
Product
Guide
Choosing an Air Conditioning
System
Selecting an air conditioner for your home is a big
decision. It’s an important investment today. It will play a
key role in your home energy expenses for years to come. And
when the summer heat is at its worst, you’ll want your
family to have the best, most reliable cooling comfort
possible. Here are a few things to consider.
What do good central air units have in common?
How can I be sure my Unit is the right size?
Which air conditioners are energy efficient?
Are some air conditioners built better than others?
What do good central air units have in common?
The best ones are efficient, operating on minimal
electricity to hold utility bills down. They provide steady,
reliable performance year after year when properly
maintained. Good systems are quiet, long-lasting and low in
service needs.
How can I be sure my Unit is the right size?
Obviously, an air conditioner that’s too small won’t keep
your home sufficiently cool. But what many don’t realize is
that an oversized system will cycle (turn on and off) more
than necessary, wasting expensive energy and possibly
putting undue strain on the compressor.
A good dealer will determine the optimum size for your home
by making a careful study of your cooling requirements.
Window dimensions and exposure. Floor space, insulation and
local climate. Heat-generating appliances. The direction
your home faces. Even the amount of your home’s exterior
shaded by trees.
He’ll specify the cooling capacity of the system in either
Btu/h (British thermal units of heat removed per hour) or
refrigeration tons (one ton being equal to 12,000 Btu/h).
Which air conditioners are energy efficient?
Much like automobile manufacturers, today’s air conditioner
manufacturers are required by law to evaluate and rate their
equipment according to its energy efficiency. This rating is
known in the industry as a SEER, or Seasonal Energy
Efficiency Rating. The higher the SEER, the more efficient
the equipment.
Most new homes with central air come equipped with a
standard builder’s model. However, when replacement becomes
necessary, property owners can upgrade their air
conditioning by specifying a more energy-efficient system.
The Ruud Achiever XIV® High Efficiency model, for example,
has a SEER of 14.00, among the highest available. It’s
significantly higher than today’s standard models, many of
which carry SEER’s of around 10.
High SEER models are generally more expensive, but can
easily make up the difference by reducing your home energy
bills over the long run.
Are some air conditioners built better than others?
The compressor is the heart of a condensing unit. On a hot
day, it works long and hard. Ruud is the only manufacturer
to install the highly advanced Copeland® Scroll® Compressor
in every Ruud condensing unit we produce. Scroll Compressors
are recognized by the industry as the leader in reliability,
efficiency and quiet operation.
Other features to look for include louvered steel cabinets
that protect the coils from damage and expensive repair
bills.
Also, with some condensing units, the fan can be another
source of bothersome noise. Ruud units have a grill design
that minimizes air restriction for quieter fan operation.