Questions to Ask Before Buying a New AC Unit

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.