Factors to Consider When Choosing an Air Conditioner

If your home's air conditioning system is over ten years old, you should replace it with a more effective and efficient model. Doing so will help you avoid the need for costly repairs and also reduce your utility bills. Here are a number of factors that you should consider when selecting an air conditioner for installation.

Cost and Efficiency 
It's a common impulse to look for the cheapest HVAC unit available, but more costly systems are generally more efficient. They also need fewer repairs in the long run. Here are some of the most efficient air conditioners:

• Central air: the largest and most common system type, used to cool an entire home through a duct system • Ductless: a more compact and efficient system, used to cool single rooms or an entire residence through a multi-unit system
• Packaged: the smallest and easiest to install option, best for cooling small apartments and homes
• Geothermal: the most efficient system, capable of cooling a home and acting as a water heating system simultaneously

Warranty 
Warranties are a must for any responsible buyer. They ensure that you are protected if something goes wrong with the unit. Be sure that your installer has warranty coverage. Know what needs to be done to keep your warranty valid. If the terms aren't followed, the warranty will not be usable when needed.

Thermostat Options 
Programmable thermostats allow your unit to be turned on and off at predetermined times. An expert at JR Perkins Heating & Cooling can show you how to set it to turn itself down or off when you need to leave for work or it's time for bed, then turn itself up or back on when you come home or wake up. Zoning systems let you set the temperatures of different rooms individually. This option is very helpful in residences where different people are comfortable at different temperatures. Smart thermostats can be run from your computer and use motion sensors to learn your patterns of movement and timing. This allows the thermostat to run in a way that is convenient for you without the need for programming.

If you are unsure about what type of air conditioning unit is best for you it may be best to sit down and have a detailed conversation with an air conditioning professional at JR Perkins Heating & Cooling. They have the experience and know-how to help you find the perfect unit to fill your unique needs.

JR Perkins Heating & Cooling is the first heating and air conditioning company in the East Valley, servicing the Phoenix area, specifically Scottsdale. To learn more, please visit our website at www.JRPerkins.com.

Air Conditioning Maintenance for Pet Owners

At J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling, we find that one of the often overlooked aspects of pet ownership (or pet parenthood, if you prefer) is the amount of hair and dander that animals can produce. This is a problem with the most common household pets: dogs and cats. Hair and dander can vary dramatically between breeds, but are still major household problems in most cases. It can have a significant impact on a home's indoor air quality and an equally significant impact on its air conditioner. If you are a pet owner, you can help to protect your air conditioning unit and other parts of your HVAC system by following these steps:

Bathe and Groom your Pets Regularly

Bathing and grooming are important for your pets' wellbeing but it is important for your HVAC system as well. It can help to control the amount of hair that the animal sheds and which can end up inside your air conditioner.

Change or Clean your Filters More Frequently

The most common recommendation our team at J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling offers for homeowners regarding filter-changing schedules is to do it monthly. If you have a pet that sheds a lot (or multiple hairy pets) you may want to shorten the length of time you go without changing or cleaning your filter. Clogged filters increase energy costs and can cause your system to break down.

Brush your Pets Outdoors

Brushing pets inside will result in the dispersal of filter-clogging hair and dander throughout the rooms in your home. Even if you vacuum some of it up, you will never get all of it. What escapes will eventually make its way into your HVAC system and may cause issues.

Even if you clean your home frequently, you should still have your HVAC system inspected by professionals on a regular basis. Contact us by calling (480) 422-4437 or visit our website at www.JRPerkins.com. We serve the East Valley area (Phoenix, and more specifically Scottsdale) and can help you to keep your HVAC system running smoothly even with pets in your household.