Whether you’re shopping for an air conditioner for your existing home or new construction, we’re here to help. At Bruce’s, we’re proud to be an American Standard Customer Care dealer serving Tempe, Arizona and the entire Phoenix metro area. As HVAC experts, we will take the time to learn about your needs and assist you in choosing the perfect unit. To help you in this process, the following is some general guidance to help you with your decision.

Types of Central Air Conditioners

Central air conditioners can be either a split-system unit or a packaged unit. In a split-system unit, you’ll find an outdoor metal cabinet which contains both the condenser and the compressor and an indoor cabinet that contains the evaporator. With some split-system air conditioner systems, the indoor cabinet also includes the furnace or the indoor portion of the heat pump.

A packaged central air conditioner has the evaporator, condenser and compressor all in one cabinet, usually located on the roof or on a concrete slab near a home’s foundation. Air supply and return ducts come from indoors through the walls or roof to connect with the outdoor unit. Packaged air conditioners can include heating coils or a natural gas furnace, too.

Efficiency

When choosing a model, you will want to consider its efficiency. Consider that air conditioning consumes greater than 2,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. So, efficiency is key. Today’s quality air conditioners, such as those from American Standard, use 30 to 50 percent less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as air conditioners made thirty years ago. Even models that are 10 years old may cost 20 to 40 percent more in cooling energy costs than a newer unit. The higher the SEER rating (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) of a unit, the greater the efficiency. American Standard offers units with a variety of SEER ratings to match your budget.

Sizing and Installation

Our skilled, experienced technicians will help you determine the best size and installation for your home. We offer free quotes. Remember, too large a unit will be more costly to operate and may not adequately remove humidity. Too small a unit will not be able to cool your home sufficiently. Improper location, insufficient insulation and inferior ductwork installation can also significantly diminish efficiency and home comfort. This is why it’s important to work with an experienced team of professionals.

Other Features to Consider

Today’s air conditioners also offer a range of advanced features that increase their functionality. These include:

• Variable speed air handler
• Fan-only switch
• Filter check light
• Automatic-delay fan switch
• AccuComfort™ technology
• AccuClean™ air cleaner technology

Make sure to ask about these and other features that may be included in any model you’re considering.

Let Us Help You

At Bruce’s, getting a free quote on a new air conditioner is only a call away. We’ll work directly with you to ensure you get the right unit for your home and budget. Call us at 480-968-5652.