Choosing an air conditioning unit is not something that you need to do on your own, as a homeowner. You can always lean on the insight and technical expertise of heating and cooling technicians to help you make those choices, which is something that you should do to make your life easier.
That doesn’t mean you need to rely on them to begin your shopping. The summer’s coming up, and if you’re looking for a new Goodman 2.5 Ton AC unit, here are some of the things you should look at to begin your shopping.
1. Cooling capacity and any additional ability to provide heat
Probably the first thing you should be considering is how powerful the unit is. Every Goodman unit will vary – even among 2.5 ton models, but if the system can’t effectively cool your home it won’t be too good to you.
It’s not uncommon for Goodman 2.5 ton AC units to offer about 30,000 BTUs of power, and depending on where you live in the country, this should be adequate to cool somewhere between 1,200 to 1,600 square feet or so, depending on the zone you live in.
You should also consider if the unit is a heat pump or can be paired with an electric heat strip, both of which options will enable you to provide some warmth to your home in the winter.
2. The efficiency as given by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
You will also want to consider how efficient the unit is, which is given by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER. SEER can be calculated by dividing the cooling output during the summer by the energy used during the summer, giving a relative measure of efficiency. It is not uncommon for 2.5 ton units to offer somewhere between 14 and 16 SEER.
3. How much ability it has to accommodate a given space
Homes have limited space, so if you’re planning on getting a package unit that fits inside your home, you’ll need to make sure you have room. Some units are better at accommodating spaces than others are.
4. Does it need an air handler, and if so, does it come with one
Some systems need air handlers to provide additional cooling as well as (and more importantly) to effectively circulate the air. Many package units have them, but some split systems don’t. If the system needs one, make sure you provide for it.
5. Expected levels of noise
Compressors are notoriously loud, but some have features that help cut back on volume. This is especially important if you will be housing the system inside of your home.
6. How well will it stand up to corrosion (especially for outdoor models)
For split systems that will be housed outside, the ability to resist corrosion is highly important. Salt spray, humidity, snow and ice and the ravages of temperature changes will all wreak havoc on finishes and exposed steel and will cause corrosion.
Some systems are better than others at managing these issues and are made with corrosion-resistant hardware and other features.
7. How easy it will be to diagnose problems and perform maintenance
Finally, some systems are easy to access and some even have self-diagnostic features. For you handymen, this will streamline repairs. For those of you that will call on repair specialists, it will save them time (and you money) on assessing what needs to be replaced and then replacing it.
For those of you looking for a Goodman air conditioner, specifically those of you looking for a Goodman 2.5 ton AC unit, the first step is to begin your search at Budget Air Supply. Visit their website, BudgetAirSupply.com, where you’ll learn about the units they sell, and if you need additional assistance, their team is never more than a call away at 855-473-6484.
