Pipes burst. Electricity failed. Freezing temperatures across Colorado caused endless damage in mid-February 2021.

If the winter’s harsh weather got you thinking about what weather lies ahead for summer, The Old Farmer's Almanac predicts “hotter than normal” temps this coming summer with the worst heat in mid-to-late July and early August.

Now’s the time to prepare…when it’s still cold and snowy.

First step: Contact Allstar Electrical to audit your existing electrical service. A service upgrade might be in order when installing new central air. And the Allstar experts will give you an honest evaluation.

Not all AC’s use the same amount of energy. Watts range from 500 for a small window unit to 750 watts for central AC with the fan only and the compressor off up to 3500 watts for central air conditioning.

When you install a new central air conditioning system, the outdoor condenser unit requires a connection of at least 220 volts. The AC condenser should run on a circuit all by itself due to the power level. Your service panel must be able to support an additional circuit, and your electrical service must be able to handle the installation of a new 220-volt connection.

The age of your home will likely impact the audit findings. Modern homes typically run on 100-amp service, while older homes may have electrical service of only 60 amps or less. Most residences require at least 200-amp service to provide adequate power for the condenser unit simultaneously with other major home appliances. Generally, less than 100 amps require an upgrade to support a modern HVAC system.

An AC audit is the ideal time for a whole-home electrical inspection. Older homes have far too few outlets for today’s computer and appliance-oriented families.

Make the most of mud season to proactively plan for the heat headed your way. Contact Allstar Electrical today to schedule your electrical audit for central AC in your home.