Over 100 Million homes in the United States use air conditioners during the warm summer months to cool interior living spaces. With varying degrees of efficiency, the systems that cool these homes consume about 6% of the total electricity produced annually and cost homeowners upwards of $29 Billion every year.

Air conditioners have become much more than a luxury these days, though. With rising pollution levels and the spread of allergies every spring, they help keep indoor quality, humidity, and temperature constant, regardless of how bad it gets outside.

If you live in a state with hot, humid summers, then an air conditioner systems for your home is one of the most important long-term investments you can make. Whether you’re looking at having one installed for your new home, upgrading an inefficient system, or having your existing system serviced, the road to better, more efficient cooling begins with an industry-leading installation. At Western Mass Heating & Cooling, our team of professionals has decades of experience in bringing efficient cooling to homes, new or old, in any design or style.

The process starts with a scientific and accurate sizing of your home’s cooling needs. A system rated for a house much larger than the one you currently live in will mean living spaces are not properly conditioned. On the other hand, a system that’s rated for a smaller home means it has to work that much harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Over time, this translates into higher energy bills, significant wear and tear on internal components, and higher annual service fees.

Once the sizing process is completed, our technical team will run through the various options that are ideal for your home, keeping in mind the total size of livable space, the number of occupants, where you live, the climate, and most importantly, your budget.

What maintenance is required for central air-con systems?

Like all air conditioning systems, an essential part of the system is to regularly check and maintain is the air filters. Also, cleaning the coils and blower compartments to reduce dust in your system and wear & tear on the equipment. We can also check the refrigerant pressures if we suspect the unit is underperforming.

What is the average lifespan of a central air-con system?

Given the advancements that have been made in technology & manufacturing, it’s very common to see well-maintained central air-con systems last more than 15 years. More importantly, most manufacturers typically continue to offer support and parts to older systems, prolonging their usability.

Do I need to recharge a central air-con system?

Most modern units are completely sealed from the manufacturer, meaning that the refrigerant within them do not need to be refilled or ‘recharged’ unless a leak develops in the refrigerant system.

What are mini-splits and how are they different from central air conditioning systems?

Like a central air conditioning unit, a mini-split air conditioning system allows you to control the temperature and reduce humidity. One advantage of a mini split, however, is the ability to control each room individually. Unlike a central air conditioning unit, mini-splits are entirely ductless. They consist of an outdoor compressor unit and single or multiple indoor air-handling units that deliver hot or cold air into individual rooms.

A mini-split system has plenty of advantages over a central air conditioning system in a retrofit situation namely:

• No ductwork, making installation easier, quicker, and more affordable.

• Indoor air quality on par with central air con systems.

• Energy efficiency, since each individual room or living space can be individually controlled.

• Efficient heating & cooling (mini splits are generally heat pumps)

Does my house have to be a certain size to use mini splits?

No. Any size home can be a good candidate for mini-splits. If you live in a small home, a rented house, or even an apartment in the city where space is at a premium, mini-splits are a great way to keep cool during the hot summer months since both the indoor and outdoor units are compact. By not needing any expensive and complicated ductwork or, worse, losing cooling power to leaks in the ductwork under the floor or in crawl spaces, energy bills are far more affordable than a central air system.

Is servicing a mini-split system difficult or expensive?

Not at all! Our technical team is comprehensive when it comes to the installation process. After the indoor and outdoor unit installation is completed, tests are conducted to ensure everything is running as it should. The only time you’ll need to call our team again is during the annual maintenance interval, which our team will be happy to brief you on.

Heat pumps have come a long way in the past few years. They used to be considered a “mild weather” HVAC system. However, with new technology, a properly installed heat pump system can now produce effective heat in any climate including the northeast. The most important consideration of a whole-home heat pump system is the design & sizing of the system. Our team will carefully size and design a heat pump system to ensure great efficiency and no compromise to comfort.

Can a heat pump replace my fossil fuel system?

In most cases yes! There are several approaches to this though. The only way to determine if a heat pump system is a good fit for your home is to have our comfort specialist come to your home for an assessment.

Does a heat pump system require electric backup?

Not necessarily….. If a heat pump system is designed with 100% heating capacity in mind, a heat pump can heat your home with no backup. We can also consider fossil fuel backup if you have an existing oil or propane system that is worth repurposing as a backup.