Your air conditioner should have about 20 BTU per square foot of living space, according to Consumer Reports. However, you should also account for other factors in the room. 

If it’s a very shady space, you can take off 10% of the square footage BTU calculation. If it’s sunny, add 10%. For rooms normally occupied by two or more people, you should add 600 BTU per additional person. Finally, if the room is a kitchen, add 4,000 BTU to your calculated square footage total.

Talk to an air conditioning company or HVAC professional to find out what size you should get.

The SEER label on an air conditioner stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. This is a measure of the efficiency of either an air conditioning unit or a heat pump. 

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends replacing older AC units with energy-efficient models. Contact an air conditioning company or HVAC specialist for tips on how to select a new unit.

An air conditioner leaking inside the house is a common problem. It could indicate that the air filter is dirty. Or, one of the following may be the culprit:

• Clogged condensate drain line
• Leaky, damaged, cracked or rusted drain pan
• Dirty or broken coils
• Frozen evaporator coils
• Broken condensate pump
• Not enough refrigerant
• Disconnected drain line

If your AC is leaking, contact a repair service to find out what the problem is — and how much it will cost to fix it.

While you may be able to do some preparation work for central air installation, you should hire a licensed contractor to complete the project and handle the air conditioning refrigerants. 

Also, unless you have the proper credentials, you risk making common mistakes when installing central air. This may include installing the wrong-size furnace, improperly installing ductwork and exhaust systems, and incorrectly managing drainage.

To ensure your central air is installed correctly, contact the best HVAC pros near you and start getting free estimates today.

A central air unit or HVAC system may add value to your home. Or, if you’re in the process of selling your home, it may help you close a sale.

The Remodeling Impact report found that 20% of realtors have suggested that home sellers replace their HVAC before attempting to sell their homes, and 7% said this project did help close a sale. 

Talk with an expert to figure out if adding an HVAC system is a good idea for your home. And contact the best HVAC pros near you to get free estimates so you’ll know how much this project will cost you.

Depending on where you live, it might be worth it to install central air. Central air makes your house comfortable on hot summer days. And although it’s hard to predict if adding central air will increase your home’s value, prospective homebuyers will certainly notice if it’s missing.

Another advantage of central air is that it can help dehumidify your home. Not only will it make your home more comfortable and enjoyable, but it can also  help prevent mold from growing or spreading.

Contact the best HVAC contractors near you to learn more about the central air installation process and to start receiving free estimates.

Installing a new appliance costs $125, on average. However, homeowners should expect to pay within the range of $120 to $150. 

For less complex appliance installations, you may pay a low-end cost ranging between $65 and $100. On the other hand, more complex appliances like laundry machines, ranges and other items can cost between $175 and $326 to install. Ask whichever appliance installation service you hire to give you a price quote, if possible.

You can tip appliance installers if you feel their service has gone above and beyond. A standard tip is between $10 and $20. 

Reasons you might consider tipping include a very pleasant customer service demeanor, having to carry a heavy appliance up or down the stairs, working in inclement weather, taking care not to make a mess and other acts of care and consideration. You are not obligated to leave a tip — but one is always appreciated.

There are a number of different appliances that professionals can install for you, including:

• Washers and dryers. These machines are heavy and very sensitive to being level and balanced, and also require hookups to water, electricity and sometimes gas or propane.
• Cooking ranges. Your range may use propane or gas, which is a hookup job best left to the pros.
• Microwaves. You may want to have your microwave be an undermount or in-mounted unit, which a pro can install and make it look seamless.
• Refrigerators. These are heavy and often require a water hookup.
• And more!

Reach out to an appliance installation service, and find out if they can install your appliance. Often, it’s helpful to provide the brand and model of the appliance you’re trying to set up.

There are several perks to having a professional install your appliances, including:

• Hiring a pro saves you time and money. If it breaks down, the service person who sold and installed the machine can fulfill its warranty. However, this warranty could be void if you install it incorrectly.
• It will work reliably. Many appliances like ranges and laundry machines rely on being on level surfaces as well as having potentially dangerous hookups installed correctly. 
• You can get repair and maintenance support. If something isn’t working or you want advice, you can call up your installer and ask if they can help you troubleshoot or repair it.