Living in Arizona, you get it. The summers are brutal. Having a working HVAC system is vital, and choosing the best HVAC system for Arizona can often be stressful.
You want the best for your home comfort. Due to the demanding climate, you must know which option will effectively cool your home. This guide gives insight into what things you might need to know when finding the best HVAC system in Arizona.
Key Factors in Choosing Your HVAC System
The right HVAC system goes beyond a quick fix. There are many calculations that go into ensuring your home’s AC is properly sized. Making sure it keeps your home at comfortable temperatures all year matters. Think about factors like the size of your house, your home’s insulative properties, the system’s ducting, etc. You will also need to be aware of things like energy ratings.
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Energy Efficiency Ratings
An energy-efficient HVAC system impacts monthly utility bills. An efficient HVAC system also lowers your impact on the environment.
For higher efficiency, you will want a good Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating. The SEER rating lets you know just how energy-efficient a unit actually is. In the Arizona heat, a high-SEER system pays off.
ENERGY STAR® certification is also critical to review. If a unit is ENERGY STAR® certified, you know the system meets strict guidelines for energy use.
Assessing Your Home’s Size
Square footage and room layouts matter a great deal when choosing a unit. An undersized unit can make it difficult to cool things efficiently and an oversized unit will not remove the humidity like it is supposed to. Consider asking an HVAC specialist to review your situation. From there, they can calculate how much load is needed to determine HVAC system sizing.
Considering Cooling Needs and Costs
Arizona’s intense heat means that a system’s cooling ability needs to come first. There are many systems that have varying levels of efficiency when it comes to cooling and heating. The type of system you have will factor in the cost as well. While you try to keep within a budget, remember, quality systems typically cost you more up front, but can save you more money in the long run.
Arizona Climate Factors
The Arizona climate demands an HVAC system to overcome extreme heat conditions. Look at components that resist UV impact and filters that can keep up with dust issues. High-performance compressors are ideal, too.
Systems designed for high temperatures should manage in the harsh summer weather.
HVAC Brands
When thinking through various options of HVAC units, you have several top choices.
Lets take a look at a few of these…
Carrier
Carrier has a history in the world of air conditioning as Willis Carrier designed the first modern air conditioning unit.
Look at Carrier’s Infinity series for top-level performance, or their Comfort series for a lower-cost option.
Trane
Trane systems offer features to avoid corrosion from weather over time. Trane uses variable speed components to achieve their higher efficiency ratings.
York
York units resist bad weather pretty well. These units work well for warmer environments like what we see in the Southwest part of the United States. Some of York’s features are known for longer lifespan and ease of use, too.
Goodman
Goodman designs their units with balance in mind between savings and results. Dependability is the name of their game and their products will be more affordable than most other brands.
Rheem
Rheem builds trust with people, making it a known name around households across the nation; especially in the furnace world. Their reputation comes from solid performance and customer support with industry standard warranties.
Lennox
While Lennox can be a bit higher priced, customers have shown support for them as seen in many reviews online. Just as every other company, Lennox has their top line of Energy Star-qualified products. These HVAC systems show great results from the standpoint of being built with high-quality materials.
HVAC System Types
There are two main HVAC types you must decide between for Arizona. Review this information:
Central Air Conditioners
Central air is only useful if ductwork exists in the building. These units offer the advantage of being able to control temperature everywhere with one central point of cooling or heating supply.
Consider having ductwork professionally inspected if using central air conditioning. Air leakage and problems that lead to bigger concerns are often due to air ducts not being properly maintained.
Ductless Mini Split Systems
Mini split systems help smaller buildings, including homes, with efficient air quality and air control. They are often more efficient than normal AC units. Each unit acts independently and does not require ducting, making this a great option for additions or buildings with limited space for installing duct work.
Maintenance Matters
HVAC units have to stay functional to make things as affordable and efficient as possible. Think through these maintenance details.
HVAC System Maintenance | ||
Task | Frequency | Why it Matters |
Replace filter | Every month | Improved quality of air, efficiency, and system’s lifespan. |
Clean the coils | Once every year | Makes efficiency of units optimal for heat moving back and forth properly. |
Look over condensate drain | Every 3 months | Avoids water damage, blockage, and also reduces overall issues with humidity levels. |
Review insulation for damage | Twice per year | Make sure heating or cooling does not reduce through exposed air ducts. |
Professional Tune-Ups
Regular professional servicing improves your unit’s overall performance and extends its lifespan. It also catches the small things that can lead to bigger expenses if not addressed.
Do it Yourself
Think through basic cleaning, like getting dust and buildup off of outside units. Clear any debris surrounding HVAC equipment; otherwise, restricted airflow results and your equipment works far less efficiently.
You can visually inspect your unit for any obvious signs of damage. You can also make sure that there’s nothing obstructing air vents throughout your house. Regular filter replacement is crucial, especially during peak usage seasons.
Conclusion
Choosing the best HVAC system for Arizona homeowners involves thorough planning. It is also about considering the actual features, functionality, and quality of each brand. Knowing the top brands and how each system handles intense heat allows more intelligent buying, and will result in better cooling and heating for your home. Make sure to use HVAC experts, like our team at Big Sky, when selecting and installing your next system. With an energy-efficient system, your place will feel comfortable and run as efficiently as possible, regardless of Arizona weather.
