Yes—especially if you want to reduce your energy bills, lower your carbon footprint, and get the most comfort from your system. Higher-efficiency ACs can also help increase the value of your home and extend the life of your system with fewer breakdowns.
Pro Tip: SEER2 is now becoming the new standard across Canada. Many newer AC models are already listed using only SEER2 rating—so if you’re comparing older and newer systems, make sure you’re looking at the same standard!
If you already have an AC unit that is working, there may be reasons to replace it before it breaks. The primary reason for early replacement is to increase efficiency and reduce your carbon footprint.
The typical lifespan of a home air conditioner in Edmonton is around 10 to 15 years. If your AC is older than this, it may be time to purchase a new one. Keep in mind – how long your AC lasts depends on several factors, including brand, model, maintenance, and usage. Thus, with proper care and regular maintenance, you can help prolong the life of your air conditioner.
If you’ve noticed that your energy bill has increased even though you haven’t changed your cooling habits, it could mean your air conditioner is not running as efficiently as it once was. In this case, upgrading to a newer, high-efficiency model can help lower your monthly costs. New models are utilizing more eco-friendly refrigerants like R-454B or R-32, which are more efficient than the old R-410A. Better efficiency means better cooling for lower utility costs!
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) measures how efficiently an air conditioner operates over a typical cooling season. It’s calculated by dividing the total cooling output (in BTUs) by the total electrical energy input (in watt-hours). A higher SEER rating indicates greater efficiency, leading to lower utility bills.
SEER2 is the updated version of this rating system. It uses more rigorous testing procedures that better reflect real-world conditions, like how your AC actually performs with ductwork and airflow resistance in a typical Edmonton home. Because of this, SEER2 ratings are slightly lower than SEER, even though the equipment performance hasn’t changed. For example, a unit with a 15.2 SEER2 rating is roughly equivalent to a 16 SEER under the old scale.
In Alberta, where summers can get hot and dry, a SEER2 rating of 14.3 or higher is generally recommended for energy efficiency and comfort. Some systems go as high as 18+ SEER2. While higher-rated systems cost more upfront, they offer better long-term savings.
If your furnace blower is not working, there could be a couple of issues here, one more serious than the other. Firstly, it is important to understand how a furnace works. You can begin to understand this through a very simple principle. A furnace uses some type of fuel (i.e. electrical, oil, gas, etc) to heat a series of coils. What type of fuel your furnace uses for this combustion. This series of heated coils (called a heat exchanger) has a fan (called a blower motor) which blows your houses’ air over them and into your air ducts where it is dispersed throughout your house. This simple process, regardless of what type of fuel you use, is how your furnace is able to blow warm air into your home.
If you’re having any issues with your furnace blower not working. It can come down to the blower motor in the furnace may need replacing and that’s usually a job for the experts. A capacitor. If the capacitor is defective, the fan motor might be noisy, overheat, or not run at all. If the control board is defective, it might not send voltage to the blower motor. If the furnace is not getting power, check the furnace circuit breaker or fuse as this might also be an issue.
On the other hand, the unit may be clogged with dirt and dust and you may be able to fix that yourself but may likely need special attention to unclog the debris and dirt from the components.
In the end, there are several things that can lead to a furnace not blowing air. If you decide to try and repair an older unit and it requires more effort and costs incurred. It may just be more advantageous to replace it.
If you need help with your furnace issues, give us a call today!
How long it takes to install an air conditioner will depend on several factors. This includes the type of AC unit, if you’re replacing or installing new, the size of your home, the location where the new unit will be installed, the condition of the ductwork in your home, etc. However, on average, a professional AC installation company should be able to accomplish this within a day.
When making the decision to upgrade or replace your air conditioner, it is important to discuss with your technician your needs and wants for cooling comfort during your free home estimate! ProSolutions is here to walk you through your options for AC size, brand, and type to ensure your home stays comfortable, and then follow up with a professional installation that ensures your new system works like a charm. This ensures that it will run as efficiently as possible in Edmonton conditions!
Upgrade your home’s air conditioning system with ProSolutions Inc.
Experts like ProSolutions will tell you that it’s best to have at least two-thirds of your vents left open for best operation of your AC system. It is far harder to cool down a house versus keeping it at a constant temperature.
The size of AC you need will depend on several factors.
For help finding the right size AC for your home, book your free home estimate! We will help you find the right size and the right unit for your needs. Our technician will complete a load calculation to determine what size AC you need. Factors like the size of your home, the local climate, the number of appliances you have, etc. will be taken into account.
Keep in mind, while you can have an AC unit that is too small you can also have a unit that is too big. An AC that is too small will not be able to cool your whole home and a unit that is too big will waste energy. In both scenarios, your utility bill will be more than necessary and you will likely be reducing the lifespan of the air conditioner! The size of AC you need is essential to your home comfort. ProSolutions can help you find the perfect air conditioner unit for your home and get it installed for the perfect Summer.
Does the size of AC unit effect performance? Yes!
If the unit is too large, the space gets too cool and humidity is not removed. You’ll feel cold and clammy. Plus the frequent cycling can wear out your AC Unit faster since the hardest load on your AC is when you start it up. You can also freeze up the AC unit if the air flow is too low and the unit can not be kept from freezing up. Freezing up of a central AC system is a recipe for disaster on the HVAC equipment.
Book your home estimate today, and our Pros can recommend the best size AC for your home and needs.
What do Canada’s new AC refrigerant regulations mean for you? If you’re anything like us, you like your home to be your sanctuary—comfortable even during a heatwave. That’s why it’s important to know what’s happening with Canada’s new refrigerant regulations …
Read MoreDo your AC (and your wallet) a favour. Complete our AC maintenance checklist in just 8 simple DIY steps. …
Read MoreAir conditioning is 100% worth it in Sherwood Park. The summers in Sherwood Park get very hot and an efficient, properly calibrated AC provides a comfortable indoor space. As a result, many Sherwood Park homeowners have installed air conditioning in recent years. Now, more than 60% of homes in Alberta use AC during the summer months.
A central AC is your best bet for efficient and reliable cooling if you want to escape the heat this summer.
Thinking of installing a new AC in your Sherwood Park home? You may require a permit for your new air conditioner. Don’t worry, ProSolutions can help. Our experienced Sherwood Park AC company will be there every step of the way - from helping you choose the perfect AC to filing for permits, and more. Plus, our local technicians will guarantee that your new air conditioner is perfectly calibrated so you can enjoy optimal home comfort, even on the hottest days.
It costs approximately $4,500 to $9,500+ to install air conditioning in Sherwood Park. The total cost for a new AC depends on several factors, such as:
An air conditioner with a high-efficiency rating and many advanced features will cost the most upfront. However, this type of AC will also help you save on energy costs. Therefore, it is recommended that you purchase the most efficient air conditioning unit you can afford.
ProSolutions offers a wide range of AC brands at price points to fit all budgets.
A high-efficiency AC costs about $30-45 per month to operate in Sherwood Park. However, the less efficient your air conditioner is, the more it will cost to keep turned on. Compared to a high-efficiency AC, like a 16 SEER or higher, an inefficient unit can cost $100+ per month in electricity.
As you can see, buying a new air conditioner with a high-efficiency rating can help you save a significant amount in energy costs!
ProSolutions Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning doesn't just work in Edmonton. We also serve the surrounding communities, including:
