subject: Sizing and Cost of an Air Conditioner Unit for your Home [print this page] Sizing and Cost of an Air Conditioner Unit for your Home
If you have an old air conditioner unit with an EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) of 7 to 9, now is the right time to replace it. Modern air con units are becoming more affordable. Now, they even have more features like energy saving, quiet motors, digital controls and complete manageability of temperature settings and thermostat.
The EER is a rating given to any type of air con, including both one-room (window-installed) and centralized types. According to the law, all air cons must have at least an EER of 10. Higher numbers mean that more energy is saved. Among units with the same cooling capacity, those with higher EERs are more expensive. However, these are good investments because they can significantly lower your electric bill.
When it comes to sizing your prospective air conditioner unit, the primary criteria are the size of your house and the number of rooms. It is common to air-condition just one room. More often, this is the bedroom. The best choice for single-room conditioning is the window-type air con. The price of such unit starts at $100; however, prices increase with higher EERs. Units that are designed for larger rooms (more than 500 sq. ft. floor area) are available at $800 or more.
Another attribute that affects the price is the rating of BTU (British Thermal Unit). This number refers to the capacity to achieve uniform cooling for a closed place. In other words, high BTU means faster and stronger cooling. Normally, a larger room will require a bigger BTU unit. Consult your constructor on the minimum BTU for your home. Excess BTU is just a waste of cash and energy.
The cost of air conditioning is significantly higher if you want a centralized cooling system. This system requires a more organized duct and air dispersal system to evenly cool all your rooms-in just one press of a button. If there is an existing air-duct system, the price of an air conditioner unit, plumbing and wiring for a 2000 sq. ft. house falls between $3000 and $4000. If there is no ductwork yet, the cost will be doubled.
