If you have your furnace or air conditioner failed on you while the weather elements are at peak then, unfortunately, you only have two choices that are to repair your heating and air conditioning equipment or lookout to get a new furnace installed or replace that air conditioning unit. However, it’s not as straightforward as it might seem, for any regular Joe it’s pretty easy to get scammed or even taken advantage of while shopping new HVAC equipment.
Trying to figure out exactly which heating and air conditioning equipment would be a good match for your home can be a confusing, time-consuming endeavor. It’s crucial to have some idea of what you’re looking for if you’re to make heads or tails of the different available systems and determine which type of equipment will best serve your interests. In this post, we’ll supply you with some tips for cutting through the HVAC-speak so that you can make informed purchases.
Take the Guesswork Out of Heating and Air Conditioning Purchases With These Tips
Use the following tips to help you make good decisions when it comes time to purchase new HVAC equipment for your home.
- Size matters – When it comes to centralized HVAC systems it’s important to find one that can handle the job without straining. If you try and save money by purchasing a smaller unit than you need it will have to run harder than it was designed to. As a result, it will have a shorter life punctuated by frequent breakdowns.
- Efficiency matters – If your old window unit isn’t doing the job you may decide it’s time to replace it with a physically bigger unit. However, judging today’s air conditioners by their physical size alone is a mistake. Instead of judging by size look for cooling capacity. Because all HVAC units are more efficient today than small units may be all you really need.
- Look for a high EER – The Energy Efficiency Ratio or EER calculates the relationship between BTUs and power usage. For a central air conditioning system, this is referred to as the SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The EER or SEER will be posted on the unit for you to consider. Simply put, the higher the EER or SEER the more efficient the unit.
- Choose a Variable Speed Air Handler (VSAH) – With most heating and air conditioning units the fans are either on or off. A VSAH by comparison is always on but is constantly adjusting the fan speed to accommodate changing conditions. Some benefits of a VSAH include:
- Greater comfort control
- Greater energy efficiency
- VSAH units are typically quieter
- Adapt well to zone heating/cooling systems
- Higher quality air due to constant filtering
- Don’t forget about options – Today’s air conditioners come with a slew of high-tech options you won’t want to just skip over including fan settings, programmability, various modes (cool, dry, auto etc), timer options, and more. Also, when it comes to centralized AC units you’ll want to sign up for regular air conditioner maintenance and service as well to keep things running at their energy-efficient best and avoid any emergency air conditioning repairs.
- Check the warranty – Today’s HVAC equipment – whether it’s for a centralized system or an individual room – is complex and meticulously engineered for maximum efficiency and long life. However, like everything else in this world, it’s not immune to failure. Make sure the warranty on any HVAC equipment is at least 5-10 years. If it’s not don’t even consider it.
- Hire a reputable contractor – Installing a central air system is not a DIY job. You’ll want to hire an experienced, trusted contractor with a proven track record and the references to prove it. Interview them. Check their standing with the BBB and get any quotes in writing.
Toronto Heating and Air Conditioning has been supplying the people of Toronto with dependable, affordable HVAC services since 1992. If you have questions or need help determining the right heating and air conditioning equipment for your home give us a call and talk to one of our HVAC experts. We’ll make sure you end up with a unit that fits your home like a glove.
