The Best Central Air Conditioners for South Florida

Types

• Central air conditioners come in split-system units and packaged units. The split-system unit has part of the system indoors in a cabinet, while other parts remain outdoors in a metal housing. The system is the best choice for a residential home that has an existing furnace and ducts to which it can be coupled. Packaged units usually include all the equipment for both heating and cooling the building in one outdoor housing, which connects to the duct system. These systems are commonly used for small commercial buildings.

Size

• To find the best central air conditioner for your South Florida home, calculate the size of the system you need based on the square footage of your house and the level of cooling you want to achieve. This includes the window area, walls and direction of the home and is critical to ensuring that you have an efficient system. A unit that is too large will use excessive energy and will not remove the humidity well enough, while a smaller unit might not be able to maintain a cool temperature on hot days.

Capacity

• Measured either in tons or in British thermal units, cooling capacity applies to the amount of heat a unit can remove. One ton is equal to 12,000 BTUs per hour. The capacity needed to cool a home of 1,500 square feet in Miami, Florida, is 14,500 BTUs per hour for an average 2,031 hours per year, according to a calculator provided by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America. To maintain the best indoor temperature, the homeowner will need a system that can deliver a slightly higher level of cooling in case of exceptionally hot and humid weather, such as between 15,000 and 20,000 BTUs.

Installation

• The best air conditioner for a South Florida home is a system that is the correct size for the premises, which is installed in a suitable location by a professional installer. The location, installation method and maintenance of the system you choose are vitally important for its ongoing, efficient operation. The installer should ensure that the ducts are adequate in size and well-maintained, install a thermostat in an appropriate place and select the best location for the condensing unit.