Atlanta has a subtropical climate. That means the region has hot, humid summers. We say humid, but residents would probably use words like sweltering and inhumane. While summers are great for the beach and other fun activities, the fact is most of us are fully dressed on a daily basis, heading for work while the heat bears down on us.

Getting inside and enjoying the air conditioning feels like a blessing from the clouds, doesn't it? If you have one of those old, energy guzzling, noisy, dripping window air conditioners, you should think about installing central air conditioning. Why switch to central air conditioning? You may currently have several window AC units around the home, running your utility bills into the stratosphere.

Central Air Conditioning

Maybe it's time to consider central air conditioning. This home cooling system is an energy efficient solution to loud, old fashioned a/c systems. You can find them in more and more homes every year, cooling off residents and saving them hundreds of dollars a year. Imagine cooling the entire house with a single, quiet, unobtrusive unit. You can even save on heating utilities by combining the cooling system with a heating system, a HVAC.

Many have been intimidated by the cost of installing these ac systems. Yes, they can probably appear expensive. A professional installation (and that's the only kind you should have) can indeed run in the thousands of dollars. That initial investment will add value to your home and give you the comfortable air you deserve during those long hot summer days.

Your central air technician will have recommended the best unit for your situation in terms of cost, space and rating. This unit can actually save you money. You will be getting rid of those noisy units sitting in windows throughout the house, each driving your bills up, and replacing them with a single piece of equipment that will run at less cost. You will keep the entire house cool with a controlled thermostat. And, last, but not at all least, you will have increased the value of your home significantly. The addition of central air conditioning is seen as a major home upgrade.

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Before any work can be done, an evaluation has to be made of the home to determine the property's heat gain. It will pinpoint what size unit the home needs and uncover any other issues that may need dealing with, like duct work or ventilation. Things like insulation, placement of doors and windows, and orientation to sun will all play a part in choosing the right equipment. This is an imperative process to installing central air conditioning.

The next step is selecting the right unit. Sizes are expressed in Btus or tonnage. A ton is the equivalent of 12,000 Btu per hour. This process is critical. An undersized unit won't cool the house on the hottest days, costing more to run as it struggles to perform its operations. A unit that's too large will also cost to use because it simply drains more electricity. It also won't lower humidity appropriately because it will cool the air too quickly. After which it will shut down before properly circulating air volume past its coils to extract moisture. This results is an environment that's damp and clammy and doesn't feel as cool as thermostats imply.

Unit efficiency is expressed by the SEER, the seasonal energy-efficiency rating. This is the rating between each watt of electricity used versus the number of Btus the unit will remove. Federal law requires a SEER of 13. Overall, these units are high quality, have lots of safety features, excellent sound shields, lower voltage and lower operating costs. The higher the SEER number, the more the unit will cost but the greater service it will provide.

While there are many excellent models engineered by reliable manufacturers, ultimately there are only two kinds of systems. A split system sits outside the home. The package system is a large wall unit air conditioning system with ducts. Your tech will help you select the right one. They will also help you find the best place for it. While not as noisy as typical air conditioners, no unit is silent. Make sure it doesn't end up near a bedroom or other area where you prefer a little quiet. It should not be completely enclosed or under a deck. Airflow should not be constricted.

Conclusion

Getting a central air conditioning system will certainly be useful during those heated Atlanta summers. It will save money on energy bills and increase the value of the home.