While Portland isn’t famous for sweltering summers, it can still get hot during the warmer months of the year. During the hottest months, the average daily high is 81°F. By getting a new air conditioner, you can enjoy having a cooler, more comfortable home. When choosing a new air conditioning installation in Portland, it’s important to consider a few important factors.
The Different Types of AC Units
Before you investigate the best AC installation Portland offers, take some time to consider the different kinds of AC units that are available. While central air conditioners, heat pumps, and ductless mini-splits are better at cooling large areas, portable ACs and window units may be an affordable alternative if you’re looking for a little relief from the heat.
- Central Air Conditioning: Central AC is one of the best ways to cool your home. A central AC consists of indoor and outdoor units that work together to transfer heat to the outdoors.
- Ductless Mini-Splits: Ductless mini-splits are ideal if you want to have individualized temperature zones or only want to cool a specific space. Unlike central air conditioning, a ductless AC installation doesn’t require any ductwork.
- Heat Pumps: While heat pumps aren’t technically air conditioners, they use refrigerants like central air conditioners do. During the summer, they transfer heat outside your home. In the winter, this transfer process reverses.
- Portable AC: A portable AC can be rolled from room to room. It vents through your window, which can be inconvenient and noisy. However, these units are easy and inexpensive to set up. Unfortunately, they only work in smaller areas and are less efficient than central air conditioners.
- Window Units: Window units are similar to portable ACs. The main difference is that they are installed on your window sill.
What Are the Most Important Factors to Consider When Getting a New AC?
Whether you’re getting an air conditioner replacement or an entirely new installation, there are a few important factors you should take into consideration. For a more comprehensive look at the installation process and AC types, check out our AC guide.
As you shop for a new AC, think about the following factors.
- The AC’s cooling capacity
- Your cooling preferences
- Whether you need individualized temperature control
- Your budget
- Ductwork requirements
- How noisy the air conditioner is
- The AC’s energy-efficiency
- Available promotions and discounts
- Warranties and guarantees
How to Choose the Right AC for Your Home
Through our air conditioning installation in Portland, you can determine the best type of AC for your home. The following checklist can help you narrow down your selection and find the right brand for your needs.
1. Figure Out Which Rooms Need AC
First, you need to determine which rooms you want to cool. For example, some homeowners only want to cool their family’s bedrooms at night. Alternatively, you may want to cool your home office during the day.
A Portland ductless AC installation is a good choice if you only want to cool individual areas. To cool all or most of your home, you may want to consider a heat pump or central air conditioner.
2. Determine Your Cooling Needs
Next, you need to figure out the extra features you want. Modern ACs come with smart thermostats and energy-efficient features. You may also want dehumidifiers, air purifiers, or humidifiers installed.
3. Call an HVAC Technician
Calculating your cooling capacity can be challenging. Once you call Central Air Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, one of our HVAC technicians will come out and take a look at your property. We will calculate the appropriate cooling capacity, discuss the different features you want, and tell you what type of AC replacement works best for your situation.
4. Decide on the AC Type
The biggest decision you face is choosing the type of AC. However, this decision is easier if you already have an existing unit. Often, homeowners replace their old unit heat pump or central AC with the same option because their home is already set up for it. For instance, you don’t have to worry about the cost of new ductwork if you already have ductwork installed for your existing AC.
5. Figure Out the Right Brand
There are many different brands of air conditioners, and we can help you figure out which one is the best for your needs. Our technicians have experience working with many different brands, so we can tell you about our favorites. For example, we love working with Lennox HVAC units because they’re known for their high performance, reliability, and affordability.
6. Read Reviews
Before you invest in an air conditioner replacement, it’s a good idea to read through online reviews and testimonials. You can also ask friends, neighbors, and colleagues about their experiences with different brands and AC types.
7. Consider Warranties, Promotions, and Discounts
Budget is a major factor in determining the best AC installation Portland offers for your home. Each brand comes with different warranties. You can also save money by taking advantage of any promotions or discounts. For example, we routinely run specials that help you save money on new air conditioning units. We also offer financing and flexible payment plans to help make your new AC more affordable.
8. Schedule Your Installation
Once you know which AC you want, you simply have to schedule your installation. If we have the air conditioner in stock, we can quickly make an appointment for your air conditioner replacement. Before we begin the installation, we ask that you clean up and declutter the area where we will be working.
While each home is different, the installation process generally takes us less than a day. Unless there’s a major problem, you can normally expect the entire installation to take around four to eight hours to complete.
Discover the Best AC for Your Home
When it comes to air conditioning installation in Portland, there are so many options to choose from. Central Air Heating, Cooling & Plumbing can simplify this process by helping you calculate the cooling capacity you need. Then, we can discuss each system’s features, warranties, and ductwork requirements.
Through the most reliable AC installation Portland offers, you can enjoy a cooler, more comfortable home. To find out more about our services, reach out to one of our experienced HVAC professionals today.