How to Choose the Best Central Air Conditioner for Your Minnesota Home

A good central air conditioning system is the best way to keep your home cool in the summer, which, during the hot summer months in Minnesota, is an absolute must for comfort. Central air conditioners can last for between 15-20 years, but it’s always best to replace your unit before it breaks down completely or becomes noticeably less efficient. But what is the best choice for your home?

You want an air con system that does that job and keeps you cool, but without using too much energy and ramping up your utility bills. So, an efficient and reliable system is key. Different systems might work better for different homes, so here are a few tips to help you find the best one for your property.

Factoring in Minnesota’s Climate

The first thing to bear in mind is the climate. Minnesota has famously cold winters, being just south of the Canadian border, but it also has long, hot summers, with temperatures reaching over 80°F in July and August. 

This means that when you’re considering Minnesota heating and air conditioning, you want an HVAC system that works well year-round. The best option for a climate like Minnesota that doesn’t see as extreme heat as other parts of the country is to pick a workhorse HVAC system. 

You don’t necessarily need something that can rapidly cool your house and regularly battle temperatures of 90°F, but you want something that can work reliably throughout the summer and winter alike.

The Size of Your Home

When it comes to heating and cooling in MN, one factor that can vary from house to house is the size of your home. 

As a general rule, larger homes require more powerful heating and cooling systems than smaller homes. The size of the rooms in your property can alter things as well, as small rooms will heat up or cool down quickly. On the other hand, it will take more energy to heat or cool one big open-plan room.

With a larger property, you will need a larger, more powerful system, as well as many ways to allow hot or cool air to circulate easily through the room. However, getting a central air conditioner that’s too large for your property can be a mistake, as it could cool your home too quickly, while leaving moisture in the air. Rather than being comfortably cool, you end up being uncomfortable.

The best way to make sure you get the right air conditioner to match the size of your home is to get a heat-gain calculation, so you know exactly what you need.

Comparing Efficiency Ratings 

When looking at different types of air conditioning systems, one thing to bear in mind is the efficiency rating. This is measured by a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER.

As a general rule, a higher SEER rating indicates a system that requires less electricity to operate. This makes your air conditioning system far cheaper to run, so you can comfortably run an efficient air conditioner for longer periods without worrying about your utility bill. 

Modern central air conditioners are generally more efficient than older models. In Minnesota, all residential central air conditioners require a SEER rating of at least 13, and you can look for ENERGY STAR* qualified units to make sure that you’re getting the most efficient models. 

Why Professional HVAC Installation Matters

Picking the right HVAC system for your home is incredibly important, and you ideally want to have it installed before the summer months hit in full force to ensure your home is adequately cooled. But equally important is the way the system is installed.

Improper HVAC and ductwork installation can reduce your unit's efficiency and lifespan. This means that it needs to be maintained more often, and it will cost you more money in the long run.

MD’s Heating and Air Services specializes in air conditioning installation as well as HVAC maintenance. As well as helping you find the right system for your home, our team can install it for you and keep it going, ideally for a long time. This way, you can enjoy plenty of comfortable summers and winters.