Many people think of air conditioners are ugly, boxy units, rattling in their frames as they drip condensation, or else as an environmentally unfriendly way to cool down homes and businesses. But air conditioning technology has been radically improving in the past few years, and many of our customers are surprised to learn by some of the latest advances in cooling systems.

Air Purifiers

Modern air conditioning systems do a lot more than just cool homes and offices, they also now purify the air as it circulates. Depending on the model and system you use, advanced filters can remove dust particles, strip allergens, and block noxious pollutants and fumes from contaminating your home or office.

Whole-House Filters – An efficient and economical way to purify the air in your home is to use a whole-house filter. If you’re using a centralized A/C forced air system, the whole-house filter will be installed by a qualified technician inside the ductwork. Although it’ll be out of sight, the filter will be capturing the return air and trapping particles, pollutants, and dust, cleaning the air you breathe.

Flat Filter – Every forced-air centralized system already uses a filter, usually thin rectangular framed units that rely on fiberglass to remove particles from the air. New designs in filter technologies allow flat filters to be extremely effective at removing particulates from the air, but only if you regularly change them on a monthly basis.

Pleated Filters – Similar to flat filters, the wavy or accordion design of a pleated filter are a bit more expensive, but take advantage of physics to add more filter surface area into the same size. Advanced electrostatically charged filters are perfect for stripping allergens from the air, particularly pet dander and pollen.

Extended Media Filters – Far larger than standard flat or pleated filters, extended media filters are about 8 inches thick. These advanced filter systems have to be installed by a professional, but once placed inside your ductwork they provide an outstanding way to screen dust, allergens, and particulates from the air.

Electronic Filters – Known by professionals as electrostatic precipitators, electronic filters are powered devices that add a magnetic charge to the filter. By constantly ionizing the surface of the filter, electric filters strip even tiny particles like smoke or dust motes from the air. Although electric filters are a bit more expensive and require professional installation, they never need replacing.

UV Filters – Ultraviolet light, a natural component of sunlight, is one of the world’s best germicides. Usually installed in conjunction with an electronic filter, UV filters are used in hospitals and medical facilities to safely and silently sterilize the air from bacteria, viruses, and other airborne threats.

Energy Efficiency

Many homes and offices are cooled by air-conditioning units that are 20 years old or older. New breakthroughs in condenser and compression technology mean that today’s advanced air conditioning units are about 250% more efficient. Using less electricity to cool your home not only saves you money but also is a great way to reduce your overall impact on the environment.

Air conditioners are rated by their SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) level, which refers to how efficiently they operate. The higher the SEER number, the more efficient the system. By law, the minimum SEER level for a new air conditioning unit must be 10, but recent changes in federal regulations will mandate that all systems installed starting in 2016 must be a minimum of 13. When choosing a new air conditioning system, always check the SEER level and choose one that has a minimum SEER rating of 13.

Environmentally Friendly

Originally, air conditioning units relied on CFCs, dangerous compounds that are now banned in the United States and most countries around the world due to their devastation of the ozone layer. New coolant fluids were developed, but many of them still contained chlorine and other toxic chemicals.

Today, advanced air conditioners now take advantage of R410A, a chlorine-free coolant fluid that does not cause damage to the ozone layer.

Whisper Quiet

Whereas once air conditioners were rattling, noisy contraptions, breakthroughs in compressor technology and fan design mean that even the largest units are virtually whispering quietly. Noise output is measured in decibels, and many of today’s most advanced models operate at an astoundingly quiet 68 decibels, roughly equivalent to listening to a conversation in a restaurant or office. The new line of air conditioners and heat pumps from Bryant is extremely quiet, energy efficient contact Mahle Cool Air today for more information and pricing options. Call or Text us today for more details (941) 203-7955 and don’t forget to check out our specials, financing, and rent-to-own air conditioning options. Stay Cool with Mahle!