Buying a new air conditioner unit for your home is an important investment. You want your home to be an oasis where you can relax and feel comfortable — no matter the time of the year or the weather conditions outside. Since this is one of the biggest home purchases you can make, you’ll want to do your due diligence upfront to ensure you get the right unit for your home and your needs. Here are the top 3 questions to ask before buying a new air conditioning unit.
How large of a unit should I get?
Depending on the size of your home, you may need to either buy a large unit or opt to get two smaller units and place them at different levels in your home. A licensed HVAC contractor will be able to take measurements and provide you with an accurate recommendation to ensure that your home will be properly cooled without putting undue strain on your home’s electrical systems. Other things that may influence the size of the unit you should get include number, size and location of windows, the amount of shade your home gets, and your home’s layout.
Good to Know
...it is important to note that replacing an AC unit is more than just purchasing the unit and having it installed in one hour. There is often electrical and duct work that may need to be done in order for the new unit to be installed correctly.
Is the new unit energy efficient?
Most AC units these days are extremely energy efficient and require less electricity to effectively cool your home. As an air conditioning system ages, it becomes less efficient and can increase electricity bills very quickly, especially during the summer months. When you’re considering a new unit, look for its Energy Star label and find its seasonal energy efficiency ratio or SEER. You want a unit with an SEER of 15 or higher which indicates how well it can remove heat from a room. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the unit works to cool your home.
How quickly can it be installed?
If you’re shopping for a new cooling unit, chances are very good your old one has already stopped working or is not efficiently cooling your home. Either way you want a replacement sooner rather than later. However, it is important to note that replacing an AC unit is more than just purchasing the unit and having it installed in one hour. There is often electrical and duct work that may need to be done in order for the new unit to be installed correctly. You’ll also want your HVAC contractor to do ample testing of the new system to ensure it is working properly – all of which will take time to complete. On average, installation of a new air conditioning unit can take 2 days, or up to a week, if more complex plumbing and duct work is required.
Closing Thoughts
The key when buying an AC unit is to take the time upfront to do the proper research both on the unit you are purchasing as well as on the HVAC contractor you choose. You want the new system to work as efficiently as possible and, more importantly, be installed correctly. Cutting corners with an AC unit purchase can come back in the long run to cost you even more, if not done right.