Choosing your Cooling System

How do you choose the right HVAC system for your home?

What’s the difference between an air conditioner and a heat pump, and how do I know which system I need?

Climate

The weather extremes of your area of residence are a factor in choosing a unit. If you live in Canada you know that there are a host of micro-climates throughout each province. What you need to heat & cool your house in Toronto will be different than on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Ruud has the Heating & Cooling products you need to maximize your comfort while maintaining peak efficiency.

Efficiency

Much like automobile manufacturers, today’s air conditioner manufacturers are required by law to evaluate and rate their equipment according to its energy efficiency. This rating is known in the industry as a SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the equipment. High SEER models are generally more expensive, but can easily make up the difference by reducing your home energy bills over the long run.

Size

A cooling unit that is too small won’t keep your home sufficiently cool. But what many people don’t realize is that an oversized system wastes energy and can put undue strain on your compressor due to your cooling system cycling on and off more than needed.