Air Conditioner Buying Guide 2019-2020

Our unbiased guide will run you through the essential factors you must consider before buying an air conditioner for your home. There are various kinds of central air conditioners available, and each associated with different pros and cons. To beat the heat effectively - choose the air conditioner that can cool the entire place effortlessly. Eco-conscious consumers are more inclined towards the energy efficient air-conditioner which are less costly to run and can keep you cool and comfortable for the extended period of time.

Basic types of central air conditioner:

Before you are all-prepared for installing the new air conditioner; acquaint yourself with the major distinctions of two types of air conditioners that are presently in-use in Canada.

Split system Air conditioner	Ductless Air Conditioner
The system will have two major components evaporative coil and a condensing unit.	A ductless air conditioner will have a wall-mounted indoor unit and one compressor.
The compressor unit delivers the refrigerant to evaporator coil and removes moisture.	It distributes the air through piping, not from large air ducts.
Split air conditioners are easier to fix and repair.	Ductless air conditioners are comparatively less expensive.
If you have a furnace in the home, it is possible to amend the existing ducts in such a way, that air conditioner can be easily accommodated.	The ductless air conditioner can only be installed in a place that has no pre-existing ducts.
A split air conditioner is larger in size.	It is perfect for small finished attics

Perfect sizing:

An air conditioner is a long-term investment for your place and it should be the one that accurately fits your home and budget. When it comes to perfect sizing, you should acquaint yourself with two fundamental terms:

· Cooling load is the sum of heat that accumulates in space, in the absence of a cooling system.

· Cooling capacity is synonymous with the size of the air conditioner and it is designed to remove the heat.

Sufficient cooling capacity is essential to meet the cooling load of a home. in order to mitigate the discomfort, humidity and dampness, calculate the cooling load effectively through any method developed by the Canadian Standards Association.

Efficiency:

Efficiency is the amount of cooling generated by the unit against each watt. The more SEER (seasonal energy-efficiency rating) means the less cost to run an AC. There are some factors like advanced compressors, efficient heat exchangers and a good refrigerant flow that act as core determinants to make the SEER as high as 17. Make sure you choose a split air conditioner with a minimal SEER rating 13.

Programmable Thermostat and a maintenance plan:

A programmable thermostat has the potential to reduce the cooling cost by 10%. When buying a central air conditioner choose a maintenance plan that has a well-constructed inspection plan with labour discounts and other benefits in repairs.

Noise rating:

Most municipalities in Ontario have a certain level of noise allowed. Therefore, Canadians have to consider noise factor in-check prior to installing an air conditioner in the home. Generally, an energy efficient air conditioner will have minimal sound ratings.

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Signs of a Failing Furnace

Winters can become horrendous with a failing Furnace. In order to prevent yourself from an ice age inside your home, you may need to repair or replace your Furnace as soon as possible. As a responsible homeowner, you should keep an eye on your Furnace and if a malfunctioning is found, get it repaired instantly.
Here are 7 furnace problems you should never ignore. With a little hand, you can save the day!

1. Strange Noises

Ever experienced strange noises coming out of your furnace? If yes, then that’s quite a big sign of a failing furnace. Not paying attention to this problem may cause you a big deal. This failure may need a technician to repair or replace the blower motor as the set screw on the blower wheel may have loosened causing the wheel to wobble on the motor shaft and create noise.

2. Pungent Smell

That awful rotten cabbage smell we all experience is a sign of gas leaking from the Furnace. This pungent smell is actually a component added to natural gas for safety precautions. If your house is becoming smelly like a rotten egg or cabbage, immediately leave your house and call the gas company to fix this problem.

3. Mounting Utility Bills

Utility bills emptying the pockets cannot always be blamed on utility companies because a malfunctioning Furnace can give you chills through bills. If a Furnace is not working efficiently, it consumes more energy to produce the desired results increasing utility fees. To fix this problem, a professional needs to check and repair your Furnace and in some cases even replacing the whole unit.

4. Carbon Monoxide Leakage

Now, this is quite dangerous as leaking carbon monoxide may not be deducted instantly. If a yellow flame appears in your Furnace flame rather than striking blue (a proper functioning furnace has a blue flame), moisture on the nearby surface and no upward airflow from chimneys then it’s a clear sign of carbon monoxide leakage from either exhaust flue or heat exchanger pipes. Cracks and rust in these areas are a sign of dying Furnace too. If any of these signs along with nausea, headache, burning eyes or vomiting are noticed, make sure to leave the house immediately as it is Carbon monoxide exposure which can be lethal and call the gas company to shut your gas immediately.

5. Heat Distribution

When some rooms in the house remain colder than others, that’s a sign of malfunctioning Furnace which is caused by the internal systems not working properly. Call a professional immediately to prevent from greater damage.

6. Frequent Repairs or Replacements

A Normal modern furnace has a lifespan of 15-20 years, however, every machinery depending on its usage and annual inspections may encounter mechanical failure. Any machine beyond its age limit can cause a big deal. If your Furnace requires a repair every few months then you should consider getting a new furnace for your own good!

How old is your Furnace? What was the last time you had your Furnace repaired?