You are interested in installing air conditioning for the first time or in replacing an existing unit. How do you decide what kind of air conditioner you need? If you are replacing an older system, should you stick with the same type of system or try something new? A few things to consider when choosing a new air conditioner include:

• Your home’s current setup. If you already have ductwork, installing a ducted central air conditioning system will take less time to install. The installation will also cost less than if you need to have ducts installed. If your home does not currently have ductwork, you might prefer a ductless split system.
• How much of your house you wish to cool. Another thing to consider when choosing the type of air conditioner you want is the areas you want to cool. If you only want to cool a small part of your home, you might not need a system that cools the entire house.
• Your budget for a new air conditioning system. Different systems have considerably different price points. If you are on a limited budget, that might influence the options available to you, but keep in mind that most companies will offer financing on new A/C systems.

The right air conditioning system not only determines how comfortable your home feels. It also determines how much you pay to use the system and its overall efficiency. If you are unsure whether a ducted central air conditioning system or a ductless mini-split system is right for you, schedule a free in-home energy consultation. During your consultation, an energy consultant from long8国际手机版 Energy will listen to what you need and want from your home’s A/C. We will evaluate the setup and size of your house, and we will take your budget into account when making our recommendations to you.

While air conditioners do not come with an expiration or “best by” date, you will likely need to replace the system in your home at some point. The average lifespan of a central air conditioner is about 20 years, but there is a chance that you will want to replace your system before two decades have passed.

Often, it is recommended that you replace an air conditioner after about 10 years. Many air conditioning systems available today are considerably more energy-efficient than models produced a decade ago. That is especially the case with air conditioners that are ENERGY STAR rated. Replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner can help to reduce your energy bills.

How do you know if it is better to repair or replace your A/C? One way to tell if it is time to replace it is to weigh the cost of repair times the age of your system against the price of a new unit. How well you maintain or care for your air conditioning system can also affect its lifespan. Routine maintenance tasks you can perform on your own include cleaning or changing filters and cleaning the condenser coils.

Scheduling an annual inspection and tune-up of your system can also help to prolong the life of your air conditioner and can help it to run more efficiently for longer. long8国际手机版 Energy offers service agreements that include an annual tune-up and that provide discounted repair services to help you keep your A/C in tip-top shape.

The size of your air conditioner determines how well it can cool your home. Bigger is not always better, especially if you live in a smaller house. An oversized air conditioning system can reduce the indoor air quality of your home and contribute to mold growth. A system that is too big also costs more to run.

Why do oversized air conditioners cost more to operate? They work too well when installed in a smaller home. A big system will cool your house quickly, so rather than running a full cycle, it will shut off once the thermostat reaches the desired temperature. Once the temperature climbs again, it will kick back on. Always starting up and powering down uses more energy than running through a full cooling cycle.

An air conditioning system that is too small for your home will also end up costing you more. Instead of doing the job quickly and shutting off again, an undersized air conditioner will need to run continuously. It may or may not ever bring your home down to the desired temperature.

It is not just the size of your home that influences the size of air conditioner you need. A few other factors can determine the size that will be best for you:

• Sealing and insulation. How well-sealed your home is and how much insulation there is influences the size of your air conditioning system. When recommending a system to you, an energy consultant will consider the envelope tightness and whether or not you have insulation in the walls, floors and ceiling. You can effectively cool a much larger area with a smaller system as long as the house is well-sealed.
• Temperature. How hot it gets in your area also determines the appropriate size of the air conditioner. Warmer climates demand bigger systems, while a smaller A/C unit might be suitable in areas with mild summers.
• Existing ductwork. The location and quality of your home’s existing ductwork also influence the size of your air conditioning system. If the ducts are in non-climate-controlled parts of your home, such as the attic, you probably need a bigger system. If the ducts are well-sealed or are in climate-controlled areas, a smaller system might be appropriate.
• Amount of shade available. Tree cover, the directions your windows face and shade options all influence A/C system size.
• The size of your household. The average human body temperature is just over 98 degrees Fahrenheit. The more people in a house, the harder the air conditioning needs to work in order to cool the space.
• Roof color. Having a dark or light-colored roof can also affect the efficiency of your air conditioner. Dark roofs absorb heat, and light roofs reflect it. You might be able to cool your home with a smaller system if you have a light-colored, reflective roof.

The efficiency of your new system can also influence its size. If you are replacing an older, less-efficient system, you might be surprised to learn that you can effectively cool your home with a much smaller air conditioner.

Along with knowing what variables influence the appropriate size of air conditioner for your home, it can be helpful to understand how A/C systems are classified and sized. The size of a central air conditioning system is measured in tons. Tons, in this case, are different from the unit of weight. When talking about air conditioning, one ton is equivalent to 12,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs). The larger the ton rating, the more powerful the unit.

Usually, residential air conditioning systems go up to five tons in size. Homes that need more than five tons will require multiple systems.

If using the above information to figure out what size air conditioner you need seems complicated, do not worry. You do not have to perform the calculations or figure out the appropriate system size on your own. As part of your energy consultation, we will carefully examine your home and recommend the most suitable system for you based on what we see.

The cost of a new air conditioning system depends on a variety of factors. For example, there is often a difference in price between a central air conditioning system and a ductless mini-split system.

The size of your air conditioning system also affects the cost, as does the size of your home. Bigger systems tend to have higher price tags. If your home is large enough to require two air conditioners, that can also affect the total cost.

Finally, the current set up at your home influences the price of your new system. If you do not have ductwork installed and wish to install a central A/C system, add in the cost of duct installation. If you currently have central air, how much work is needed to remove the original system will change the price of your project.

long8国际手机版 Energy is happy to provide you with a custom estimate for your home based on the results of an at-home energy consultation.

long8国际手机版 Energy does offer specials on new air conditioning systems and other equipment. You can find up-to-date information on our discounts and rebates on our specials page.

If you are happy with the service and equipment you receive from long8国际手机版 Energy, we hope that you will tell your friends and family. As a way of saying thanks, we offer referral bonuses of up to $100 to you and your friends. You can refer as many people as you would like. There is no limit to the referral rewards.

For well-qualified clients, we offer 0% financing or low monthly payment options. With financing, you can enjoy a new air conditioning system in your home for as little as $49 per month.

There are several benefits to replacing your old air conditioning system, including:

• Lower energy bills. Installing a new, energy-efficient air conditioner or a suitably-sized A/C system can lead to a decrease in your energy bills each month.
• Better efficiency. A more energy-efficient system does not just save you money. It is also better for the planet and helps to conserve energy.
• Improved indoor air quality. You can enjoy improved air quality, through better moisture control and filtration, when you install a new air conditioning system.
• Smarter systems. A new A/C system is going to be up-to-date on the latest technology. That means you can use it with smart home devices, such as smart thermostats or smartphone apps.
• Better resale value for your home. If you are considering selling your home soon, upgrading the air conditioning today can mean a higher sale price tomorrow.
• Improved comfort. A new A/C system is likely to work better than an older, worn-out model. It will be better able to cool your home and keep your family comfortable. In the case of a ductless mini-split system, you can control the temperature and comfort level in each individual zone or room. Fighting over the thermostat will be a thing of the past.

A broken air conditioner, especially on a hot summer day, is no fun. Neither is the hassle of having to find a company to repair your equipment. We offer an optional service agreement to help keep your air conditioning system performing at its peak level for many years to come.

Under the service agreement, we will replace the following parts if they become defective during normal wear-and-tear on your A/C system:

• High-Pressure Control
• Starting Capacitors
• Blower Wheel
• Condensate Pump
• Time Delay Relay
• Start Relay
• Blower Motor (up to 1/2 HP; Variable Speed Motors not covered)
• Non-Programmable Thermostats
• Fuses (at unit; no breakers)
• Blower Pulleys
• Outdoor Disconnect
• Blower Shafts
• Blower Bearings
• Blower Drive Belt
• Hard Start Capacitor
• Condenser Fan Motor (up to 1/2 HP; Variable Speed Motors not covered)
• Low-Pressure Control
• Fan Blades
• Rain Shield
• Wiring in the Condensing Unit
• Fan Brackets
• Running Capacitors
• Contactor
• Fan Centers
• Solid-State Controls
• Control Transformer
• Fan Relay

The service agreement also offers discounted labor rates and a free annual tune-up and inspection of your system. Regularly inspecting and tuning up your system will help to ensure that it continues to operate efficiently and will help you continue to enjoy lower energy bills. Maintaining your A/C system can also extend its life.

View the Central Air Conditioning Service Agreement

long8国际手机版 Energy is proud to offer up to a 10-year warranty on all new equipment purchases. If you would like, you can extend your warranty with an optional service agreement.

long8国际手机版 Energy is a total home comfort provider servicing Southern Maryland. We work with clients in the following counties:

• St. Mary’s
• Anne Arundel
• Prince George’s
• Charles
• Calvert

We have offices in La Plata, Prince Frederick and Glen Burnie, Maryland. Our live client care representatives work out of our La Plata location.

In addition to installing or replacing central air conditioning or ductless mini-split systems in your home, we also provide complete service for it. We offer A/C maintenance, annual tune-ups and repairs. At the first sign that something is not right with your air conditioner, give us a call to schedule an appointment with one of our NATE-certified technicians.

Our technicians have passed the North American Technician Excellence exam and certification program, demonstrating extensive knowledge of HVAC systems. They also complete hours of training each year to keep their skills sharp and to develop new working knowledge of cooling and heating systems.

You can count on our team to go above and beyond when tuning up, maintaining or repairing your equipment.

Schedule Air Conditioning System Service

Yes! We are a total home comfort provider. That means we offer both heating and cooling equipment and provide full service to make sure your home’s equipment is working at its best. In addition to central air conditioning systems and ductless mini-split systems, we offer:

• Heat pumps
• Standby generators
• Water heaters
• Boilers
• Furnaces
• Gas fireplaces

In addition to our heating and cooling systems, we also provide indoor air cleaning systems. Indoor air cleaning systems help to purify the air in your home and allow your family to breathe easier.