The average homeowner replaces their air conditioning twice in their lifetime.
Typically, the thought process is to just get whatever is cheapest so that you do not have to go another day sweating in your living room.
However, that mindset causes many people to miss out on all the incredible advances in AC technology that have become available in the past few years.
There are dozens of new features that can dramatically improve comfort in the home, but are only available in higher tier systems.
Many of these upgrades can actually end up saving money on utility bills over the lifetime of the unit.
In order to determine which features make sense for your family, you first have to understand what sort of advances are out there.
Humidity Control In wetter climates, humidity often plays a bigger role in discomfort than the actual outdoor temperature.
80 degrees at high humidity feels much worse than 100 degrees with no humidity.
This is because excess moisture makes the air denser, absorbing more of the radiant temperature.
This thickness is especially problematic for those who suffer from asthma.
With asthma, every breath is already a struggle, and reducing the volume of breathable air in the space makes asthmatics have to work that much harder just to keep breathing regularly.
High quality air conditioners can read the indoor humidity levels and use that information to reduce the levels if they are too high.
This is accomplished by reducing the air speed of the unit's fan and increasing the run time in a mode known as "dehum.
" By continuously stirring the air, moisture dissipates, reducing the thickness and making everyone much more comfortable.
Air Purification As the weather warms up, more allergens like dust mites and pollen begin to circulate through the home.
When this happens it becomes even more crucial to keep the stuff you're breathing as clean as possible, especially for people with severe allergies.
While nearly every air conditioning unit is equipped with a filter of some kind, most homes are not taking advantage of the incredible filtration options available to them.
Thicker filters trap more dust, pollen, and pet dander.
Electronic filters will actually magnetize the dust so that it sticks together, making even the smallest particles big enough for the system to trap.
Some of these cleaners are so strong that they can actually trap large quantities of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria and flu viruses.
These particular filters need to be washed off outside, and it is recommended that you wear a surgical mask while doing to.
Separate from trapping dead things is the purification options, which can actually kill harmful bacteria in every corner of the house.
An ultraviolet light charges the air as it travels through the ductwork.
Then, when it comes into contact with microorganisms in the bathtub, on the kitchen counters, or in the corners of the ceiling, it attacks them and kills every last one.
This technology can even get rid of mold and mildew! Call an HVAC contractor today and find out what you are missing.
Typically, the thought process is to just get whatever is cheapest so that you do not have to go another day sweating in your living room.
However, that mindset causes many people to miss out on all the incredible advances in AC technology that have become available in the past few years.
There are dozens of new features that can dramatically improve comfort in the home, but are only available in higher tier systems.
Many of these upgrades can actually end up saving money on utility bills over the lifetime of the unit.
In order to determine which features make sense for your family, you first have to understand what sort of advances are out there.
Humidity Control In wetter climates, humidity often plays a bigger role in discomfort than the actual outdoor temperature.
80 degrees at high humidity feels much worse than 100 degrees with no humidity.
This is because excess moisture makes the air denser, absorbing more of the radiant temperature.
This thickness is especially problematic for those who suffer from asthma.
With asthma, every breath is already a struggle, and reducing the volume of breathable air in the space makes asthmatics have to work that much harder just to keep breathing regularly.
High quality air conditioners can read the indoor humidity levels and use that information to reduce the levels if they are too high.
This is accomplished by reducing the air speed of the unit's fan and increasing the run time in a mode known as "dehum.
" By continuously stirring the air, moisture dissipates, reducing the thickness and making everyone much more comfortable.
Air Purification As the weather warms up, more allergens like dust mites and pollen begin to circulate through the home.
When this happens it becomes even more crucial to keep the stuff you're breathing as clean as possible, especially for people with severe allergies.
While nearly every air conditioning unit is equipped with a filter of some kind, most homes are not taking advantage of the incredible filtration options available to them.
Thicker filters trap more dust, pollen, and pet dander.
Electronic filters will actually magnetize the dust so that it sticks together, making even the smallest particles big enough for the system to trap.
Some of these cleaners are so strong that they can actually trap large quantities of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria and flu viruses.
These particular filters need to be washed off outside, and it is recommended that you wear a surgical mask while doing to.
Separate from trapping dead things is the purification options, which can actually kill harmful bacteria in every corner of the house.
An ultraviolet light charges the air as it travels through the ductwork.
Then, when it comes into contact with microorganisms in the bathtub, on the kitchen counters, or in the corners of the ceiling, it attacks them and kills every last one.
This technology can even get rid of mold and mildew! Call an HVAC contractor today and find out what you are missing.