November 1, 2016
By Baker Brothers
Posted in: Air Conditioning, Heating
Today in America, owning a home is one of the most dream fulfilling purchases. Big or small, our very own castle is a place to relax, unwind, and be comfortable.
Comfort being extremely important, especially in Texas. Our local temperatures are usually above 90 degrees, until February when they drop to 28 degrees for a day of two. With such a changing climate, your air conditioning unit and furnace will get lots of use. Sometimes you will need to service or replace this unit. So we have put together a list of things to do weather you are having a unit in your home serviced or replaced.
- Get a second opinion You should always get a second opinion from another HVAC company, technician, or contractor. Just because one company recommends an entirely new unit, doesn’t necessarily mean that you need one. You may need a simple part replacement or the problem may be with another part your house, for example insufficient insulation. A new AC or furnace unit is a big investment and a second opinion will never hurt, only help.
- Do your homework Research online for the best products and reviews from other consumers. Double check the prices of the recommended air conditioning unit or furnace to make sure that you are getting a good deal from the companies you consulted. The internet is a great resource to learn about your options
- Vet the business Has the HVAC company you are working with been around for a long time? You’ll want a company with longevity of business. If something were to go wrong with the installation or your new air conditioner or furnace were to break, you’ll need a company that will still be around to come back and fix the problem. The surest way of knowing that a company will be around in the future is to look at their history.
- Know your contractor Make sure that the technician or contractor that you hire is trained and certified. Getting the right equipment will mean nothing if it is not installed and fitted properly. In addition, you should build a relationship with your contractor or HVAC technician. This relationship will ensure that if there is a problem in the future, the technician will handle it quickly and be sure to answer all of your questions.
- Ask friends and family for recommendations Ask family and friends that you trust for a recommendation on which company to use. Reviews from people that you trust and know in real life are much more reliable than both positive and negative reviews that you read online.
- Weigh cost-benefit options Consider whether it will be more cost-efficient to replace your unit or simply to repair it. If the problem is small and simple, like a broken part, you may be better off repairing your unit. However, many factors go into this decision. The age of the unit and the general effectiveness of the unit should be considered. It may be more expensive for you to continually repair an old unit than it would be to buy a new one all together. Consider the long-term costs.
- Consider the unique needs of your region The needs of mild northern summers will be different than the needs of hot, humid summers of the southeast. It is important to determine what kind of unit you will need for the climate you live in. Your local HVAC company will probably have recommendations tailor-made to the region you live in, but it never hurts to double check with a little research of your own.
- Get a written estimate Get a written estimate from the companies that you are considering. It is important to make sure that both companies are quoting the same equipment to make sure that you are comparing apples to apples. This will help you determine which company to use during your replacement.
- Consider new technology When looking at a replacement, you should consider the value of new technology. Because most people don’t have to replace their unit very often they don’t keep up with the latest technology in HVAC. If your AC unit hasn’t been replaced in the last 6-8 years, it is likely that newer models are more efficient than what you currently have. Advancements in technology make each new model more sophisticated than the last.
- Schedule yearly tune-ups Yearly tune-ups of your furnace and ac unit are recommended to keep it running smoothly and get ahead of potential problems. This is an expensive piece of equipment that should not be neglected. Yearly tune-ups also give you a chance to know about upcoming replacement needs before your unit desperately needs it. This gives you the opportunity to do research, consider your options, and save money without the pressure of a time crunch.
Remember, this is your home and your money. So stay comfortable as the ruler of your kingdom!
