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How to Select the Right Carrier AC Unit for Your Home

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Carrier is a brand name manufacturer of air conditioners in the US. Started by Willis Carrier in 1915, the company has a long history of making important contributions to the air conditioning industry. It is, today, one of the largest manufacturers of cooling, HVAC, and other temperature control solutions.

For home buyers, Carrier's mainline series of residential cooling units offer a compelling package, making them a safe bet. The following will familiarize you with Carrier's offers for the home and how to make your best pick.

The Best Budget-Friendly Carrier Air Conditioners

Carrier prides itself on being able to cater to both the high end of the market as well as the low end. Given that a central AC unit in some locations will cost upwards of $7000, not everyone can afford the units at the high end of the market.

Fortunately, Carrier's Comfort Series of air conditioners is ideally suited for low-budget buyers. The upfront unit price is economical. In addition, the operating costs strike a balance between upfront investment and ongoing running cost.

In this category, you can opt for units such as:

Comfort 13 Air Conditioner 24ABB3 - Not as energy-efficient as more costly units, but has a price tag of only $1300.
Comfort 14 Air Conditioner 24ACC4 - Available for around $1500, it offers a good bargain at the low end.

If you have a bit more in budget funds, you can choose a more powerful and, likely, more energy-efficient unit.

Selecting a Carrier AC Unit By Energy Efficiency

There is an important distinction to be made between the buying price of a Carrier AC unit, or any AC unit, and its operating costs. Typically, the lowest-priced units are not the most efficient. Rather, manufacturers pack the best technology into their best units, which costs money. However, because of this technology, the operating costs of a high-end AC unit will tend to be lower.

To compare the energy efficiency of AC units, pay attention to the SEER rating. SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. SEER measures a unit's ability to turn input power into cooling work.

If you have a larger home, a Carrier AC unit with high SEER ratio will save you money on long-term energy costs. Here are some of your best options from Carrier for energy efficiency:

Infinity 21 Central Air Conditioner 24ANB1 - This unit has a high SEER ratio of 21. It costs around $4,000 at major retailers.
Infinity 20 Air Conditioner 24VNA0 With Greenspeed Intelligence - A 20.5 SEER-rated air conditioner, this unit uses advanced technology to precisely match cooling to exterior conditions.

Installation Costs for Carrier AC Units

Besides the unit cost of your Carrier AC unit, you should pay special attention to installation costs. While more energy-efficient units will save you money in long-term operation, they also typically carry a further high upfront cost beyond price alone. This is in the form of installation costs.

Bigger budget units like the 19 SEER Carrier Infinity 24VNA9 Air Conditioner, for example, will add as much as $4000 in installation costs. Some units will cost even more than that to install. This is because the installation of a central AC unit is a highly technical job. If done wrong, the unit could be operating sub-optimally or, worse, you will damage the high-priced unit. Fortunately, lower cost AC units also carry the lowest installation costs, presenting a viable alternative if you'd rather not pay a big cost upfront.

Where to Find Dealers and Retailers for Carrier Air Conditioners

There are many dealers of Carrier AC units spread around the whole continental United States. You can search for dealers in your area, based on ZIP code, on Carrier's website. The dealer will be able to advise you on the best model and total costs for a solution that fits your home. Going with a Carrier-branded unit, however, boasts many advantages over the competition, including:

Quiet operation - Many of the company's AC units are especially optimized to run very quietly, around the clock.
Long-lasting cooling technology - Carrier stands behind its AC units, with a 10-year warranty on many of its models.
Excellent support - You can get support or repairs from many Carrier dealers around the country, making it easy to deal with any problems.