Purchasing a new air conditioner isn’t a small decision. Not only does it play an important role in ensuring your comfort at home when temperatures soar but buying a new unit will also take a sizeable chunk out of your budget.
As a result, it is essential you make the right decision when making your purchase. To help, here’s a quick guide to buying a new air conditioner.
First, do you actually need a new air conditioner?
Before you start your search for a new air conditioner, this is a question you need to answer. Your current air conditioning unit might be playing up, but this doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be replaced. It could just be a case of an issue needing to be fixed before it is working as new.
Either way, it makes sense to hire an experienced company that can either fix the problem or tell you categorically it has to be replaced. Dial One is an experienced provider that specializes in air conditioner repair in Desoto Texas, for example, and an ideal choice if you live in the area. If you don’t live in Desoto, however, this company has more than ten other locations it serves, so you can get the same combination of experience, ability, and reputation.
Understand SEER
Right, you’re now searching for a new air conditioner unit. Yet beyond the price and dimensions, what aspects should you look into when picking the right A/C? One of the most important is SEER.
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is as the name suggests – it rates the efficiency of air conditioning units. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient a certain model is. While units with a high SEER rating are typically more expensive, they will help you save money in the long run.
Choose the right size
It is imperative you choose an air conditioning unit that is the right size for your home. If you pick one which is too small for your property, it won’t be able to cool your home property. If it’s too big, it will waste energy and cause your utility bill to skyrocket.
This is why it is important your contractor performs a load calculation, as this will determine what sized A/C unit is appropriate for your home.
Buy online or through a contractor?
As with pretty much everything, it is possible to purchase air conditioner units for a wholesale price online. This can save you a considerable amount of money initially. Tip: you will likely find air conditioner units on sale if you buy during the winter months. Yet is it worth going this route?
This is because you still have to enlist a professional contractor to install the unit. Plus, there are various reasons why they may not install the A/C you’ve chosen. For instance, it might not come with the correct paperwork or not match correctly with your home. As a result, you may decide to eliminate this hassle by purchasing the A/C directly from the contractor.
At the very least, make sure you discuss with a professional to see if they can install the unit before making a purchase.
