ACI Northwest Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning Installation’

Who Should Invest in a Ductless System?

Monday, June 12th, 2017

ductless-system-investWhen it comes to heating your home during the winter, forced-air systems—furnaces—are still a very popular way to do so. But often, forced air systems can be inefficient, or can take up too much space in your home on top of your already existing air conditioner, too.

But what if we told you there was another option for forced air cooling and heating, that not only would save you money due to its efficiency, but will take up far less space in your home? We’re talking about investing in a Coeur d’Alene, ID ductless system installation. But, just like any other HVAC system, a ductless system—ductless mini-split—isn’t right for every home.

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How Do HVAC Professionals Determine the Right Air Conditioner Size?

Monday, June 20th, 2016

When it comes to purchasing a new air conditioner for your home, you likely approach it just like you do any other appliance purchase. While staying within your budget, you want the biggest unit available. This might work for other appliances, but it’s not the right way to go about your AC system purchase. In fact, an AC that is not properly sized by a professional can run into numerous problems.

When air conditioning technicians size an AC unit, they look at the correct BTUs needed, or British thermal units. This is a measurement of the cooling capacity of an air conditioner. This is not all, though; there are many other factors that a HVAC professional looks at. If any of these factors are missed and your HVAC technician does not appropriately size your unit, then you’ll likely be paying for a replacement system prematurely.

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Does It Matter What Size My AC Unit Is?

Monday, April 18th, 2016

There’s no mystery behind why a properly functioning air conditioner is essential. While we are experiencing milder temperatures right now, summer is right around the corner. If you are in the market for a new AC, you have a lot of considerations to make. You are probably tempted to go out and buy the biggest air conditioner that will match your budget. However, this would be a mistake.

If your air conditioning system is too big, it will shut on and off rapidly—a process known as short-cycling—and will not effectively cool your home. Too small of a unit, however, will cause your system to continuously run as it attempts to cool down your entire living space. Purchasing a correctly sized system is essential, but how do you know what the right size is?

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The Benefits of Upgrading to High-Efficiency AC Equipment

Monday, July 27th, 2015

There comes a time when any air conditioning system has to be replaced. Often, homeowners don’t replace their AC systems until they break down completely. But replacing the system ahead of this circumstance can save you a lot of trouble and greatly reduce your energy bills. If your older air conditioner is on its last legs, we highly recommend calling for a replacement before it stops cooling entirely. Here’s why.

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AC FAQ: How Big Should My Air Conditioner Be?

Monday, July 20th, 2015

Too many installers don’t take the time to truly consider a home’s needs before putting in an air conditioner. Experienced technicians know that the size of an air conditioner can have a major impact on its performance, the efficiency of the system, and its lifespan. So if you’re considering a new air conditioner, make sure that you find a qualified technician to take care of the work. Here’s why this is such an important question, and why it can only be answered after a visit from a technician.

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4 Things You Should Know about Air Conditioning Installation

Monday, June 22nd, 2015

Does the thought of replacing your air conditioner or installing a brand new one cause you stress? Do you feel unprepared for the process? Here at ACI Northwest, we believe that knowing more about the process will help you get through the installation with as little stress as possible. Check out our list of 4 things we think homeowners should know before diving into the installation.

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Could Your Air Conditioner Be the Wrong Size for Your Home?

Monday, May 25th, 2015

If you need a new air conditioning system, the size of the unit is more important than you may think. Sizing an air conditioner does not really refer to the amount of space it takes up. When we talk about sizing an air conditioner for new installation, we are referring to its cooling capacity.  The cooling capacity of your new AC system must be just right for your home or else it can require repairs early on and possibly fail prematurely. Professionals take special considerations when sizing an AC; take a look at why.

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How to Tell It’s Time for Air Conditioning Replacement

Monday, April 20th, 2015

Deciding to give up your older air conditioner and install a new one can be tough, but if you make sure to use professionals for your air conditioning replacement, you can find a new unit that uses little energy and saves you money each month. However, you definitely don’t want to spend money on replacement where repair is a better option. So how do you decide it’s time to replace?

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Hope Air Conditioning FAQs: How Do I Determine the Cooling Capacity of My Central AC or Heat Pump System?

Monday, July 2nd, 2012

For any type of air conditioning system in Hope, the cooling capacity is measured in BTU’s. This is important to know if the system doesn’t seem to be adequately cooking your home, and there are many different ways to check the cooling capacity of your AC system.

1. Air Conditioning System’s Age and Serial Numbers

An air conditioner’s age will usually give you a general idea for its cooling capacity, and if you aren’t sure, you can always check the serial number. Because serial number formats vary by the year the equipment was made, you can check to see how old an air conditioner is from looking at the serial number.

The first four digits of every serial number is the week and year the unit was manufactured.  For example, the serial# 1188E53294 on a compressor unit tells us that it was made between 1980 and 1990, and to be more exact, week 11 in 1988.

2. Air Conditioner’s Model Number

You should also look at the model number for your specific model because some manufacturers also vary how they assign each number in the serial number; however, they usually stand for tonnage or MBTUH. You can always call us if you aren’t sure how to read the serial number or model number.

3. AC Equipment’s RLA Numbers

RLA stands for “Rated Load Amps,” which means that it’s the manufacturer’s rate of the cooling capacity (also known as the draw) or load while it’s operating (minus the draw when you start the system). Most air conditioning compressor or condenser units will draw 5 to 6 RLA per ton of cooling capacity. You can check the data tag on the compressor for the RLA rating; however, this will need to be translated into BTUH for the total cooling capacity.

Feel free to call one of the Hope air conditioning experts at ACI Northwest if you have any questions how to calculate your AC system’s cooling capacity.

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Window and Through Wall Units – Benefits and Disadvantages in Colburn

Friday, August 5th, 2011

When you’re trying to decide what type of air conditioner to get for your Colburn home, you’ll first have to determine whether a central air conditioning system or smaller individual unit is best for you. These smaller air conditioners are generally installed either in a window or through the wall of your home, and they can provide excellent cooling under the proper conditions.

If you’re still on the fence about what type of air conditioner is right for your home, here are a few items to consider:

  • Ducts – If your home already has ductwork installed for a central forced air heating system, it should be relatively easy to hook up a central air conditioner. But if there are no ducts currently in place, your installation costs will be a lot lower with window or wall mounted units.
  • Portability – Most window units are designed to be removed and stored at the end of the summer, so you can have your windows back and not have to look at that unit all winter long. Through wall units aren’t generally removable, but because they don’t take up window space and provide a more thorough seal against the elements, that’s not as much of a concern.
  • Aesthetics – With both window and through wall units, you’ll have something protruding into your room at least a few inches. These types of units are hard to hide, particularly when compared to the simple air ducts that central air conditioning systems use.
  • Flexible Sizing – No matter how big or small your room is, you should have no trouble finding a window or through wall unit to match it. A central air conditioning system needs to be sized to fit the entire house. If you’re only inclined to use air conditioning in two or three rooms during the hottest months of the year, you may not want to pay to cool the entire house all of the time. Smaller units provide that type of flexibility.
  • Affordability – Installing a central air conditioning system, even if you already have ducts in place, is a large undertaking and likely to cost you several thousand dollars up front. On the other hand, small window and through wall air conditioners are available for as little as $200 and you can buy more whenever you’re ready to spend that extra money. You can also usually install a window unit yourself, and the cost of having a through wall unit installed is minimal compared to that of a central AC unit.

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