Looking for a New Air Conditioner? 5 Features to Consider

With summer on the horizon, this is the time of year that many St. Louis area homeowners are thinking about installing a new air conditioner. If you spend any time researching your options, you’ll quickly realize that you have a lot of things to consider when choosing a new cooling system. Have no fear, because Jerry Kelly Heating, Air Conditioning, Electrical and Plumbing is here to offer our advice on some of the best features to look for in a great air conditioner!

5 features to look for in a new air conditioner

1. High SEER rating. A SEER rating describes how energy-efficient an air conditioner is. Although air conditioners with higher SEER ratings often come with a higher price tag, they will cost less to operate and are better for the environment. We suggest choosing
   an air conditioner with the highest SEER rating that fits your budget because the long-term energy savings will help offset the higher installation costs.
2. Variable speed air handler. A variable speed air handler uses a fan that operates at multiple speeds depending on the amount of air circulation that’s needed in your home. This allows your air conditioner to operate more efficiently and cools your home more evenly than a single-speed air handler.
3. Two stage compressor. Similar to a variable speed air handler, a two-stage compressor operates at multiple levels depending on how much it’s needed. A two-stage compressor runs at a low level most of the time and kicks into the higher level when it’s extra hot outside. This is another feature that will both save you energy and make your home more comfortable.
4. R-410a refrigerant. R22 refrigerant is no longer allowed in newly installed air conditioners. The most popular new refrigerant to replace R22 is R410a, which is more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly than R-22.
5. Automatic-delay fan switch. When your air conditioner turns off, some conditioned air is still left in your ducts. With an automatic-delay fan switch, your fan will run a few minutes after your compressor turns off to push all of that remaining cool air into your living spaces.

If you have any questions about what to look for in a new air conditioner, or if you’d like a cooling system serviced or installed in your home, contact Jerry Kelly Heating, Air Conditioning, Electrical and Plumbing, your St. Louis air conditioner repair company. We service the St. Louis area, including surrounding towns like Cottleville, Creve Coeur, and St. Paul, MO.