Stupid Simple Central Air Conditioner Buying Guide for Florida Homes

If your AC is 8 to 10 years old, it’s time to start thinking about buying a new one.

Use this simple guide to buy a new central air conditioner that’s perfect for your family, home and budget.

First, let’s discuss 2 types of air conditioning options:

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• A regular central air conditioner that heats the home using an electric heat strip to get you through cold snaps.
• The heat strip is very inefficient, meaning it’ll run up your electric bills.

• Cools like a normal air conditioner, but heats your home at half the cost of the electric strip. Instead of using an electric coil, it moves heat from outdoor air and brings it inside your home.
• Costs more upfront than the straight cool with heat strip option.

It all comes down to how often you need and use heat, which usually depends on where you live in Florida.

Some areas, like Port Charlotte, can get chilly. So a heat pump is worth considering.

But if you rarely need heat, like in Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral or Bonita Springs, then go with a straight cool system with a heat strip.

SEER rating: Measures how efficient the air conditioner is and thus how much money you can save. Higher is better. But it also means the system is more expensive upfront.

SEER options: 14-20+

How much are you willing to spend now to save in the long run?

To know how much a system costs now, get a free estimate from a Florida air conditioner technician.

Compare those estimates with this annual cost comparison chart from FPL.

For example: Let’s assume you get a 3-ton system. Installing a 16 SEER instead of the 14 SEER minimum, you’ll be saving $85 more a year or $1,700 over the system's lifetime*.

*Assuming the AC lives 10 years.

A professional AC installer will help you determine what size air conditioner you need using a Manual J Heat Load Calculation.

So your only responsibility is making sure your installer does you right by actually doing the calculation and not just guessing what size you need.

• Cools your home at either full capacity or not at all.
• Costs less than a two-stage.

• Operates at two separate capacities: high or low.
• Runs on the low setting on mildly hot days, improving energy efficiency and comfort (running longer helps it dehumidify your home).
• Costs more upfront than a single-stage air conditioner.

• Get two-stage if...you wish your home was more comfortable (less humidity, more even cooling).
• Get single stage if...you feel like your current single stage has kept you comfy, and you’re on a tight budget.

The blower is the part in the air handler that circulates air in your home. There are 2 different types to consider.

• The standard blower
• Works like a ceiling fan: usually has 5 pre-set speeds, changing based on your airflow needs
• Costs less than the variable speed blower

• The premium blower
• Works like cruise control: precisely adjusts how much airflow you need
• Costs more than the multi-speed blower, but provides better home comfort

Get variable speed if... you’re looking for premium comfort.
Get multi-speed if...you’re on a tight budget.

Contact us today for a free estimate on a new air conditioning system! We'll send an ac tech right over!