Installing or replacing an air conditioning system in your home is a big decision. Quality air conditioning systems can be expensive. Air conditioning is definitely a worthy investment for your home, but requires research. You want to be sure you get the right type of air conditioning system, and that it’s properly sized. You also need a contractor who understands your unique needs and provides expert installation as well as service after the sale.
At Clarkstown Heating & Air Conditioning, we not only make it a priority to provide our customers with the best products and expert installation. We also work hard to ensure that you have all the information you need when it comes to deciding on your home comfort system. We believe that an informed customer is a happy customer – so we’re always happy to explain everything you to up front, and to provide you with everything you need to make an informed decision.
This air conditioning buyer’s guide will help you with some very common questions many homeowners have as they consider purchasing a new AC system. We’ll explore the different types of air conditioning systems available, helping you discover the right kind for your home. You’ll learn about ways you can tell if you need to replace your home’s AC, and how you can save energy before – and after – installation. And, you’ll learn about a few of the benefits to choosing a maintenance plan for your new system.
Believe it or not, your air conditioning system is actually pretty similar to your refrigerator. It works by using refrigerant to cool your indoor air. The refrigerant is house in coils inside the system, and fans move the warm air over these coils, and then blow the cooled air back out into your living space. The refrigerant in the coils absorbs the heat and turns to a gaseous state. Then the heat is sent outdoors, allowing the refrigerant to return to a liquid state, which starts the process all over again. The main parts of the air conditioning system include the hot coils, the cold coils, the compressor, fans and the expansion valve.
The cost to install an air conditioning system varies greatly depending on a number of factors. Very broadly speaking, new AC can run anywhere from $3000 to $7000 or more, based on estimates from the home services company Home Advisor. Here are 3 factors you’ll want to consider if you’re thinking about an air conditioning installation:
Today, there are many different types of air conditioning systems available. Because there are more choices, it’s easier than ever to choose AC for your home. Homeowners with central air conditioning already installed often opt to replace those systems with newer, more efficient models. For people who have baseboard or radiant heat, there are modern cooling options available that require no ductwork – and are much more efficient and quieter than window units of the past. Still others are looking for air conditioning that’s ultra-efficient, and leaves a small carbon footprint.
At Clarkstown, we install a variety of different types of air conditioning. Whether you’re replacing an old system, building a new home, or looking for ways to make an addition or converted space more comfortable, we’re able to provide you with the right type of air conditioning for your unique situation. Keep reading to learn more about how to choose the right air conditioner for your home.
For the average homeowner, sizing your own system can be a daunting task, which is why we recommend having an expert help. However, there are a few ways you can get a ballpark estimate of what size system you’ll likely need.
First of all, you should know that when we talk about size, we don’t mean the actual physical size of the unit. We mean its ability to produce cooled air. This factor is measured in British Thermal Units, or BTUs. The larger the space to cool, the more BTU output your air conditioning system will need. If your AC system is too small, it won’t adequately be able to keep your home cool on hot days. Too large a system will result in a system that cycles on and off too frequently, which wastes energy, and poorly dehumidified air.
When homeowners are considering an air conditioning replacement, they often have a lot of questions. Because air conditioning is an investment, most people want to be sure they even need to replace their system first and foremost. ENERGY STAR provides some helpful guidelines to people who are deciding on whether to replace their system or not. Here’s what they say:
As much as most consumers love the cool comfort of their homes that they get from having air conditioning, most people dread the costs associated with it. Like most homeowners, you’re probably looking for ways to lower your energy bills. And of course, your air conditioning system takes energy to operate. The more energy it uses, the more money you’re going to have to pay in utility bills. Before you call us to talk about installing a new system, consider the following three questions:
Once a new air conditioning system is installed, it’s tempting for homeowners to just sit back and enjoy the cooling, without thinking of how to best keep the system running for years to come. But your new air conditioning system is a major investment in your home. It can help keep you and your family cool and comfortable for a long time when you treat it properly. And the best thing you can do for your new system is to choose an annual maintenance plan for it.
At Clarkstown, we’re committed to providing excellent maintenance services for your equipment. Getting the maintenance you need is important – so important, in fact, that the Dept. of Energy (DOE) tells us, “Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air conditioning performance while energy use steadily increases.” So, what will annual maintenance do for your system? The DOE suggests the following benefits:
At Clarkstown Heating & Air Conditioning, we pride ourselves on providing the best quality, most efficient air conditioning systems on the market. If you’re looking for a new air conditioning system for your home, and would like to learn more about how we can help you, call Clarkstown Heating & Air Conditioning at (845) 620-1000.
It's not glamorous, and most of the time it's hidden inside your walls, but it's hugely important to your home: HVAC.
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems can make or break the comfort of your home -- not to mention your budget. From furnaces to radiators and heat pumps, you're probably familiar with a lot of different heating and cooling options. Which one is best for your home?
It depends somewhat on where you live, but new technology is making HVAC more efficient (and potentially affordable) than ever before. Here's how to make sense of the big shifts in the industry, and decide which type of system is best for you.
Most HVAC systems work on a simple equation that balances "distribution and return" of air throughout your home, according to Daniel Berry, chair of the HVAC program at the Fortis Institute in Scranton.
A standard gas furnace, for example, is calibrated to the size of your home and the climate you live in. It's designed to suck in ambient air from your home, boost it by 50 degrees Fahrenheit by burning natural gas (which is largely made of the fossil fuel methane) and then blow it through your house.
A central AC system works in a similar way, by condensing a refrigerant outside your house and cooling it off by blowing outside air over it. Then the refrigerant moves indoors, where it expands and gets colder. Indoor air is blown over the cold part of the air conditioner and distributed through your house's system of metal ducts. "You're going to have a tunnel effect of ductwork going through your house," Berry said.
Heat pumps work a lot like air conditioners. However, heat pumps can reverse the process and heat your house too, even in cold temperatures.
Air source heat pumps (which complete this process by transferring heat to or from the air outside your home) can heat or cool your whole home using air ducts or part of it with a smaller, wall-mounted unit called a mini split.
Ground-source heat pumps, also called geothermal heat pumps, exchange heat with the ground. Installation requires some trenching to bury some tubing and is more expensive, but the systems are more efficient.
Each type of HVAC system has had its heyday, and you may have lived with various types of heat and cooling in homes of different ages. Here are the pros and cons of each type of system.
Though many different types of HVAC are still available, Berry says there's really no competition these days. "If I was going to put a unit in, there's no question in my mind I would go with a heat pump," he said. "No if, ands or buts about it."
For existing homes, Berry recommends mini-split air source heat pumps, but for new construction it's best to go with a central heat pump system. Either way, this type of heat is the most efficient, cost-effective and comfortable option, Berry said. "You can't really beat those," he said.
Finding an HVAC installer right now -- like finding any contractor -- can be challenging. Berry recommends getting at least three to four quotes and asking for a guaranteed installation timeline, that way you know you're getting the best deal.
To find a reputable installer, Berry advises you seek out established companies that have a good reputation among your neighbors. "You're going to want somebody who is dependable, reliable, who's been around for a while," he said. Don't be afraid to ask the installer for past customers who you can contact and ask about their experience, Berry recommends.
In an ideal world, it takes about two weeks to install a new HVAC system, Berry said. Add in some buffer time for unexpected problems, and 30 days is a good estimate to work with.
But before you set a contractor loose on your home, make sure that estimated time frame is in your contract with the installer, Berry said. Reputable installers have an incentive to get the job done in a timely manner, so they can get on to the next job -- so if your contractor declines to give you a timeline, that might be a red flag, according to Berry.
Tubing for a ground source heat pump before it's buried.
If you have any kind of system that involves ductwork (like a gas furnace or central AC), there's one piece of maintenance you can do yourself: changing the air filters.
Beyond that, Berry recommends calling in the professionals. Gas furnaces should be checked once a year, and Berry said service usually takes about an hour and a half. (If it takes any less, you might be getting ripped off.) Air source heat pumps should also be serviced once every one or two years, and don't forget to clean the filters on the mini-splits too. Proper maintenance can extend your HVAC system's life.
The same advice applies here: Make sure to work with a reputable, long-established HVAC company, even if it's a bit more expensive, Berry said.
Luckily, Berry's recommended HVAC technology -- air source heat pumps -- are also being incentivized by the government right now. A federal tax credit covers 30% of the project cost, up to $2,000.
There are other types of HVAC eligible for federal money: Check out the rebates for biomass stoves/boilers, central AC, gas furnaces and geothermal heat pumps.
Some states have additional credits available for heating systems. Check with your local power company for more details.
Heating systems are fundamentally designed to overcome the loss of heat that happens when air leaves your home through windows, doors and walls.
Many homeowners now invest heavily in insulation and weather-sealing, which can significantly reduce the amount of heat your home loses. And in turn, that can allow you to get away with a smaller (and cheaper) heating system. New windows, doors, insulation and air sealing items also qualify for up to $1,200 in tax credits.
Berry recommends, however, that you don't go too small with your heating installation: No matter how insulated your home, you still want an HVAC system that can keep you toasty on the most frigid night.