Here are Some Pitfalls to Avoid When Buying New HVAC Equipment

No matter how reliably it has served you, eventually your HVAC equipment will start to falter. Service technicians may be able to patch it up and keep it chugging along for a while, but eventually Father Time will render its final verdict and condemn your furnace and/or air conditioner to the scrap heap.

Once this happens you’ll need to move quickly to purchase new equipment. But if you rush in without a good plan of action you could end up you stuck with an overpriced, ineffective HVAC system.

If You’re Buying New HVAC Equipment, Please Don’t …

Fail to get multiple estimates

HVAC equipment and installation are inherently costly and every dollar you save should be considered precious. Therefore it behooves you to look around and collect a number of estimates—and read all the fine print on those offers to be sure there are no hidden fees or other nasty surprises.

Fail to fully investigate any contractor you consider

Most HVAC contractors are honest but not all of them are. Bad online reviews, Better Business Bureau complaints, a lack of an established history in the community and an unwillingness to hire fully certified service technicians are warning signs that should not be ignored.

Automatically choose the lowest-priced equipment or the lowest bid for installation services

Any bid that seems unrealistically low should be viewed with suspicion. You don’t want to fall for bait-and-switch schemes that quote a super-low price upfront but hit you with big charges down the line (for “unexpected complications,” “unanticipated cost overruns,” etc.). If it seems too good to be true it probably is.

Overlook the Significance of SEER

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratings, which measure the energy- and cost-efficiency of HVAC systems. Equipment with a SEER number of 16 is considered high-efficiency and in comparison to older models could save you a couple hundred bucks a year in energy costs.

Purchase the Wrong-Sized Equipment

If you’ve done any remodeling in your home those alterations may have changed your heating and cooling needs. You may now require a smaller or larger HVAC system than you did in the past; the only way to know for sure is to ask an HVAC contractor to send a professional to your home to perform a heating/cooling load analysis, which is a precise calculation of your indoor climate regulation needs.

Miss out on rebates that can cut your costs

Good contractors are happy to provide details about manufacturer rebates. Meanwhile every state offers rebates for the purchase of technology that promotes energy-efficiency (including HVAC equipment), and you can find out what’s available in your state by checking out this website.

Fail to get the details of the installation in writing

In particular you’ll want your HVAC contractor to provide a specific timeline for the project, preferably with a five percent penalty included if the contractor fails to meet the deadline.

Overlook the importance of a maintenance plan

Maintenance plans are offered directly by HVAC contractors and can help prevent expensive problems from developing down the line. For a small cost you can get free inspections and cleanings annually or biannually, plus discounts on equipment and service calls that can save you a bundle.

Amber Air Conditioning Inc. Offers Great HVAC Solutions

If you live in the Amber Air Conditioning Inc. service area and are in the market for new HVAC equipment, we invite you to contact us for more information. We are an Authorized Dealer for high-quality Carrier products, which are setting new industry standards for energy-efficient excellence, and our NATE-certified technicians are trained to handle all of your installation needs.

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