Best High-Efficiency Air Conditioning Systems for 2019
Why Should You Upgrade to a Variable Speed High-Efficiency HVAC System?
Two things guarantee a great experience when purchasing a central air conditioner – proper installation and a good quality system. We’ve got you covered on both. Our technicians are top-notch, and we can recommend and install three of the high-quality units on the market:
- Trane Model #4TTV0036A
- Rheem Model # RA2036AJVCB
- Ruud UA20
Key HVAC System Requirements:
Compressors
Central air conditioning is not something to do on the cheap. Investing in a quality system upfront saves you money in the long-run. 2019 brings new technology that has improved air conditioning systems over even the best from just a few years ago. Trane, Rheem, and Ruud units all have state of the art variable speed compressors. An air conditioner with this type of compressor runs most efficiently, eliminating the hard start-stops, saving you money in maintenance cost and energy consumption over the life of the unit.
- Variable speed compressors maintain a temperature that matches the thermostat setting. An air conditioner runs continuously at less than 100% capacity, sometimes as low as 25% or 30% capacity. This creates higher rates of air exchange.
- Two-stage or dual stage compressors provide two levels: high and low. An air conditioner runs on high only when needed. Two-stage systems cycle on and off less frequently than single stage systems.
- Single stage compressors always operate at 100% capacity. This type of unit has been standard for decades. If a thermostat is set to 72 degrees, the air conditioner will run whenever the indoor temperature hits 73 degrees. The compressor turns itself on and off continuously throughout the day leading to more wear on the unit.
Efficiency is not the only advantage of variable speed compressors. This type of air conditioning system will control humidity during hot, sticky Mississippi summers. With a single stage compressor, humidity in the air doesn’t have time to condense on the indoor coil. It is blown back into your home rather than draining away. The longer cycle and slower airspeed of the variable speed, as well as the two-stage, compressor means moisture is condensed on the coil and drained out of your house. In other words, variable speed air conditioners dehumidify the air inside your home. You don’t have to set your thermostat to a low temperature with less humidity in your house. You feel comfortable even when the air conditioner is maintaining a higher temperature. Keep in mind that variable speed units also lower your utility costs because they don’t turn on as often. Since air is frequently cycled through your air filters with a variable speed unit, there is a lower volume of air contaminants in your home. With cleaner air and less humidity:
- Mold is eliminated, especially in bathrooms and kitchens
- Insects are less likely to find refuge in your home
- Dust mites are kept under control
Efficiency Rating
There are 7 major central air conditioner manufacturers. Trane and Rheem, which owns Ruud, are two of these manufacturers. According to Consumer Reports’ large homeowner’s survey, homeowners give Trane units above average feedback in regard to reliability. Each of the three cooling systems listed above has a high-efficiency Energy Star rating.
SEER
Compressor efficiency is determined by how much cooling is attained with a set amount of energy. Every air conditioner comes with a nominal Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating supplied by the manufacturer. SEER measures air conditioning and heat pump cooling efficiency. The unit with a higher SEER rating will always be more efficient. Best performance is a 20 to 24 SEER. Trane XV20i TruComfort™ Variable Speed (Model #4TTV0036A) is one of the industry’s most efficient systems, with ratings up to 22 SEER. Trane states that energy savings average 64% with this system. Both the Rheem Prestige Series Variable Speed EcoNet™ (Model RA2036AJVCB) and the Ruud EcoNet™ Enabled Ultra® Series Variable Speed (UA20) offer a minimum of 20 SEER.
Features, Warranty, and Price
All systems have smart controls and alerts that can be accessed remotely. The Rheem unit is designed to operate with the
Trane offers a 10-year registered limited warranty on the outdoor coil and all other internal functional parts and a 12-year registered limited warranty on the compressor. Rheem and Ruud provide a 10-year warranty on parts and a 10-year conditional unit replacement. It is worth repeating that higher upfront cost means greater efficiency and lower energy cost throughout the life of your air conditioner.
Air conditioners with one stage compressors cost $700 – $2100 while those with two-stage compressors cost $1450 – $3700. Expect to pay in the range of $2800 – $5100 for a unit with a variable speed compressor.
Most experts agree that choosing a good installer is the most important consideration when you decide to add a new central air conditioner to your home. Installation and maintenance over the life of the system will determine how well your unit performs. You can be confident that you’ll get the most out of your central air conditioning system when you trust us to install and maintain your unit.
Call Alan today at 601-441-9050 or visit https://acrepairhattiesburg.com/services for more information.
