Replacing an air conditioner  can be a significant investment, which is why you need to do your research on the features that can help maximize your ROIs. To help you get started, here are some of the AC features that can help improve the quality of living in your home: 

Features That Can Improve Indoor Comfort

• Compressor sound insulators – The noise produced by conventional AC units can reach 75 decibels. This level of noise is higher than a passenger car traveling at 65 miles per hour. It’s no wonder then that some find it hard to sleep with all that noise in the background. Compressor sound insulators muffle the noise coming from your AC unit, reducing it to roughly 50 decibels, the same noise level you can find in a local library. Note: A noisy AC unit may be a warning sign. If you frequently encounter noise issues with your AC unit, it’s best to have it checked by a technician from one of your local HVAC companies.  

• Sleep-mode feature  – Lowering the room temperature is one way of helping prepare your body for a good night’s sleep. (Your body temperature is about one to two degrees lower at nighttime.) The problem is it can get too cold in your room, jolting you awake. Installing an AC unit with a sleep-mode feature can help prevent nighttime chills. This feature slightly raises the temperature in your room at night to make sure nighttime chills don’t disturb your sleep. 
• Oscillating fan vents – AC units with oscillating vents have an internal motor that sweeps air from side to side, distributing cool air evenly throughout your room. 

  For more tips on improving indoor comfort, consult one of your local HVAC companies. 

Features That Can Make Maintenance Easier

Older models will certainly have more maintenance needs while modern AC units have less, thanks to technological advances. These features can help lower your AC unit’s maintenance needs: 

• Rust-proof base pans – All of your AC unit’s condensation is collected in a metal base pan. The problem is wear and tear combined with constant exposure to moisture can cause rust to form.  Rust can slowly eat away metal until leaks start to form. That’s why you should look for an AC unit with a rust-proof base pan. 

• Check filter lights – In general, you should replace your HVAC filter regularly, although how often may vary depending on the kind of HVAC filter product installed. High-quality filters tend to last longer than low-quality ones, after all. Homeowners sometimes forget to replace their filter, causing indoor air quality to drastically drop. If you have a busy schedule and often forget to have the filter checked, an AC unit with a check filter light would be a good solution. As the name suggests, a check filter light reminds you to replace your filter. 

Tip: When replacing your filter, make sure to use high-quality HVAC filter products from well-known brands. That way, you won’t have to replace your filter too often. 

How Often Should You Have Your AC Unit Maintained?

As a good rule of thumb, you should have your AC unit inspected by a qualified technician at least once a year, ideally in the spring when the AC unit is used less frequently. If, however, you have a new HVAC unit installed, you should schedule at least two inspections, one in the spring and another in the fall. This is in preparation for the summer and winter seasons. 

Energy-Efficient AC Features 

It’s common knowledge that heating and cooling costs account for a large chunk of the average household’s monthly electric bill, which is why it’d be a good idea to purchase an energy-efficient AC unit. What are the features you should look for? 

• Timer – Timers automatically lower the temperature at set intervals, optimizing energy use. 

• Variable speed compressors – Unlike conventional compressors which only have one setting (high), variable-speed compressors can adjust their electricity consumption depending on your comfort needs. 

Energy-saving tip: Refrigerators also account for a large portion of electricity consumption in the average household. If you want to reduce your fridge’s electricity consumption, consult a refrigeration equipment services company on the features you should look for in a new energy-efficient refrigerator. 

One more thing: To ensure that you’ll get to enjoy the benefits of all these features, make certain only an experienced technician handles your new AC unit’s installation. 

Cafco Services has been providing professional HVAC and refrigeration equipment services to local residents since 1945. For inquiries, call us at (513) 242-3400 or leave us a message here.