About five years ago, my husband and I finally invested in central cooling for our home. The house was already equipped with a forced air furnace, which included a complete duct system and air handler. Upgrading to air conditioning didn’t require any major remodeling or huge expense. We spent extra, however, to install a top-of-the-line model with a 26 SEER rating. The air conditioner has made a huge improvement in the comfort, cleanliness and enjoyment of our home. Keeping the windows shut and latched makes me feel safer and also avoids exterior noise and air pollution. The central cooling system actively circulates and filters the air, trapping contaminants such as dust, pollen and dander. There is no longer a problem with condensation running down the windows and mildew growing in the bathrooms. My whole family is so much more comfortable during the day and sleeps better at night. The air conditioner we chose features adaptable speed technology, which ensures more even temperatures, lower sound levels and optimum efficiency. Rather than blast at maximum capacity until the thermostat setting is achieved, and then shutting completely off, the cooling unit is capable of adjusting speed to meet demand. With the ability to operate anywhere between 40 and 100 capacity, the air conditioner runs consistently at a lower speed. It costs less to run and more effectively handles excess humidity. Since installing the air conditioner, I’ve kept up with annual maintenance. Every spring, a licensed HVAC contractor performs a complete cleaning, tuning and inspection. This service keeps the cooling unit working at peak efficiency, capacity and reliability.