If you buy a new energy-efficient air conditioning system by Dec. 31, 2010, you could qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $1,500.
If your older air conditioning system doesn't keep your home as cool as you would like this summer, you might want to replace it before the end of the year. If you buy an energy-efficient air conditioning system by Dec. 31, you could qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $1,500.
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when replacing their a/c systems is to believe bigger is better—so they buy one that’s too big for their home.
When it comes to air conditioning, it’s actually better to err on the side of smaller. A system that’s too big for your home will leave the air feeling clammy because it won’t regulate indoor humidity properly. High humidity indoors can lead to all kinds of problems—and not just with your comfort. Uncontrolled humidity can invite mold.
An air conditioning unit that’s just the right size for your home will run long enough to bring your home to the temperature you like, and it will cycle the moisture out of the air. A unit that’s too big for the home won’t run long enough to wring out the humidity. It will cool your home too quickly, and then cut itself off before it has time to deal with the humidity. So you’ll wind up with cool, clammy air.
That said, you don’t want to buy a unit that’s too small, either. An undersized unit will run all the time without ever making your home as cool as you’d like it to be.
Let an HVAC professional determine the right size for your new air conditioning unit. You'll be more comfortable, and you'll save money and energy.
Central air conditioner sizing tutorial