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2022 Central Air Conditioner Buying Guide: Tips, Prices, and What to Look For

Buying a central air conditioner for your home

Central air conditioners make a lot of sense for larger homes in warmer climates. Central air units give you the ability to efficiently cool more square-footage for your dollar, and they make managing the temperature of your entire home a lot easier, not to mention more comfortable.

Whether you’re looking at updating an existing unit or interested in buying a new one, choosing a central air conditioner can be daunting. There’s a lot to consider: sizing of the unit, placement of the refrigerant source and ductwork, the overall cost, and what to look for. 

In this guide, we go over the basic things you need to know when choosing a central air conditioning unit, what factors you need to consider, and also give you our recommended central air units for 2022.

How Central Unit Air Conditioners Work

A central AC unit is basically a refrigeration system for your home. It utilizes many of the basic components, units, and materials that a refrigerator does. This includes the chemical required to actually cool the air, which is known as refrigerant. 

It works by converting from liquid to gas and then back to liquid as it travels through the coils and tubes that collect heat. As it does this, it gathers hot air from one place and transfers it to another, while simultaneously replacing the warm air with cold air using blowers and ducts.

A central air conditioner consists of the following parts: 

Condenser unit – this holds the condenser coils that absorb the heat from the air.

Ductwork system – the pipes through which the warm air travels to the condenser and through which the cooled air is transported throughout the home.

Air-handling unit – this hosts the blower that distributes the cooled air, much like a forced-air furnace.

The condenser units are usually placed outside in an open but slightly sheltered location, while the air handler and the evaporator are installed in a basement or garage. In some cases, they can also be installed in the attic. The ductwork is then routed throughout the house, with the evaporator as the base.

3 Primary Things to Consider

BTU rating

An air conditioner’s capacity is measured by its BTU rating. This refers to “British Thermal Unit”, which is a measurement of the energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree. Don’t worry if this doesn’t make sense – all you need to know is that this number is important for supplying your home with the proper amount of cooling power. To determine the BTU needed for your house, check out our handy BTU calculator.

SEER

Every AC unit is given an efficiency rating by the US Department of Energy, known as SEER – Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The higher this number is, the more cost-efficient it will be to use. For example, older air conditioning unit models will have a SEER rating of 6, while the newer and better models will have SEER numbers of anywhere from 15-17. The standard SEER number is generally right around 13.

However, a newer standard, SEER2, is set to take effect in 2023. To know the new SEER2 requirements for your region, read our guide to SEER2 standards.

AC Unit Voltage, Amperage, and Wattage

There IS a difference between these three, and knowing the electrical requirements of your current and potential air conditioning system is important. Voltage refers to the electrical power potential between two points, while amperage is the actual power flowing. Wattage refers to the electrical power required to run your system.

How to Buy a Central Air Conditioner for your Home

Efficiency

Central air conditioners use a lot of power to convert hot air into cool and transport it throughout the house. As such, cost efficiency is the primary consideration when looking for a central AC unit. 

This means replacing any AC systems that are outdated, as these models tend to be highly inefficient. If your home is equipped with an older model, you’ll want to replace both the outdoor condensing unit and the indoor evaporator, as replacing just one unit will compromise efficiency.

What to look for

When selecting an efficient air conditioner unit for your home, look for a few elements that will ensure you’re getting the most cooling power for your money. These factors are what lend your potential system higher SEER numbers:

  • You’ll want to find a unit with an energy efficient rating (or EER) that’s greater than 11.6, and a thermal expansion valve if you live in a climate that has particularly warm summers. Both these things together help increase the efficiency when the unit needs to be used constantly.
  • Inverter technology allows the AC to adjust its output and power draw based on the temperature, instead of going full-throttle all the time. This translates into higher SEER, improved efficiency, lower utility cost, and longer operating life.
  • Make sure the unit you select has larger coils which makes for a more efficient heat transfer.
  • A central AC unit equipped with a blower with variable speeds means reduced energy consumption, as it allows you to customize the usage of the unit to your needs.
  • A fan-only switch allows you to turn the cooling off while still utilizing the fan, which means air is still circulating but you’re using less energy. An automatic delay fan switch is a great night-time option, as it keeps the fan on long enough to move the residual cool air after the compressor switches off.
  • A clogged filter means your system is running poorly. An air conditioning unit with a filter indicator light helps you know when the filter needs to be changed and keeps the efficiency up.

Other Features to Consider

  • Programmable thermostats offer a lot more control and make it easier to customize energy-saving settings so that you’re not bleeding money while trying to stay cool. Some of them have even more energy-saving programs, like customizable settings for when you’re out of town, or overnight settings to stay cool but prevent overuse.
  • Make sure your unit has a good warranty. Air conditioning unit warranties will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so it’s important to ensure you have one that includes coverage of the parts and compressor so you can get the most out of your unit.

Types of Central Air Conditioning Units

Packaged Unit Air Conditioners

Packaged Unit Air Conditioners combine heating and cooling functions in one simple set-up. These units are perfect for housing situations that may not have space to house a central unit and its various sub-units in multiple locations around the site. However some models are also powerful enough to be used as a central system in most large homes, and attach easily to the existing ductwork. Packaged units are available in a variety of types:

  • Air Conditioner with an optional heating unit available. This set-up is perfect for warmer climates that see fewer extreme winter temperatures.
  • The Air Conditioner with Heat Pump option is a complete system that can be used year-round for all heating and cooling needs within your home.
  • The Gas/Electric packaged unit option includes an electric AC unit and a gas heater. Standard settings are for natural gas but an LP conversion kit is available.
  • Dual Fuel means that the air conditioner unit provides cooling power in the summer while the heat pump provides heat in fall and winter. It’s a similar set-up to the Gas/Electric Package because the system also provides the option for gas heat, but the unit doesn’t require an additional conversion kit and can be used with natural gas or liquid propane.

Each variation can replace a pre-existing furnace or coil/blower combo. It’s a self-contained system that installs easily outdoors, whether on the roof or just outside the house and connects directly to the pre-existing ductwork. Air flow converts to horizontal or vertical for multiple installation options and features a super-quiet blower.

Central Air Conditioning Units

Standard central air conditioning units generally offer a cooling only or heat pump and cooling option. They can be paired with air handlers that provide gas or electric heating.

Multi-Position Air Handlers

Multi-position Air Handlers are paired with Central Air units to make a complete system.

Best Central Air Conditioner for Your Home

When it comes to buying a central air conditioner system that’s efficient and suits your home perfectly, we’re here to help. Browse our entire selection of central air conditioning units and find the perfect one for your needs.

Mickey Luongo

Mickey is the resident heating and air conditioning expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry.

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