With the arrival of warm weather, you may have started up your home's air conditioning system only to find that it is no longer working and need to have a new one installed. Because your previous system caused significant increases in your home's energy bills, you may be looking for an air conditioner that is more energy efficient. 

While looking at a potential system's Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating is a good place to start, there are other factors that should also be considered. Below are a couple of tips to help you get started choosing an energy-efficient air conditioning system before having it professionally installed in your house.

1. Make Sure You Select a System Size That Matches the Square Footage of the Space in Your Home That Needs Cooling

One thing that you should check before purchasing a new A/C system to install in your house is that it is the right size. If a system's size does not match the square footage of the space in your house that needs to be cooled, it will cause a spike in your energy bills.

If the system is too small, the air conditioner will rarely shut off, and have to work overtime to cool all of the areas. If too large, the system will short-cycle and never fully cool your house, which will cause a strain on the compressor and increase its energy output. If you are having difficulty figuring out the size your house needs, ask an HVAC system installer for help.

2. Look at Optional Features That Allow You to Precisely Control the Temperatures and Times the Air Conditioning System Runs

Another thing to look at when choosing an energy-efficient air conditioning system for your house is to look at its optional features that allow you to precisely control the temperatures and times the A/C runs. If you have a standard thermostat and set it at one temperature, there will still be fluctuations in the temperatures, and it will run the same throughout the day and night.

However, if you purchase a system with such features as zone cooling or a programmable thermostat, you can set the temperatures based on each room's and time of day's needs. An A/C installation professional can help you pick what features would best serve your needs.

When you are picking out a new A/C system to have installed, select one that is not too small or large for the square footage of your house. You should also choose features that allow you to precisely control the temperatures, such as a zone cooling system or a programmable thermostat. If you are still having trouble picking out a new system, contact a business that offers air conditioning installation services to speak with someone who can help you.