Are you in the market for a new air conditioner?
If so, then we don’t need to tell you how many options you have available to you and how important it is to buy the right system. You depend on your air conditioner throughout much of the year to keep your home at a cool, comfortable temperature and humidity level, and if you buy the wrong one, you could have a whole host of problems on your hands, such as high energy bills, inefficient cooling, frequent repairs and more. At Tri-Elite Advisors, we not only provide professional HVAC services in Wilmington and the surrounding areas, we also want to help you make the right decisions about your HVAC system. That’s why we’ve come up with this list of common mistakes to avoid when buying a new air conditioner:
Mistake #1 Basing your decision on price alone
Air conditioners aren’t cheap, and when you’re already faced with spending thousands of dollars on a new system, it can be incredibly tempting to simply pick the most affordable option available to you. However, just because you are getting the lowest price does not mean you are getting the most value for your money, and since you’ll be using your air conditioner for the next 10 to 15 years, it’s paramount that you find an option that will not only save you money now but also for the life of your investment.
Mistake #2 Not paying attention to the SEER Rating
The SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating is what tells consumers how efficient certain air conditioners are compared to others. The higher the SEER rating on an air conditioner, the more energy efficient it is. But how do you know if the SEER rating is high or not? Here’s a quick guide to help you understand SEER ratings:
- 13 SEER – This is the minimum acceptable SEER rating for new air conditioners.
- 15 SEER – This is a good baseline SEER rating to look for.
- 16 SEER – This rating is reserved for high-efficiency air conditioners.
Many older systems have much lower SEER ratings, and if you replace an outdated 8 SEER air conditioner with a new 16 SEER air conditioner, you’ll cut your cooling bills in half.
Mistake #3 Not taking advantage of rebates
Many different manufacturers offer rebates on new air conditioners — some states even do too — and these rebates can help to offset your investment in a new system. Rebates are especially common when you’re purchasing a high-efficiency air conditioner. Failing to take advantage of these rebates is like ignoring free money, so whatever you do, always talk to your HVAC contractor about any available rebates on a new air conditioner.
Mistake #4 Buying the wrong sized system for your home.
Many people believe that the bigger an air conditioner is, the better it will cool their home, despite how big the home is. But the fact of the matter is that size should not be overlooked when buying a new air conditioner. New air conditioners are designed to cool homes that are specific sizes, and whether the system is too big or too small, buying the wrong size has consequences, which could include the need for frequent repairs, steep energy bills every month and even premature system failure. Consulting an experienced HVAC contractor can help to eliminate the risk of buying an air conditioner that isn’t the right size for your home.
Mistake #5 Not working with the right contractor.
There are many HVAC technicians out there, but not all of them will provide you with the high level of service you deserve. Additionally, some contractors are more interested in selling you the most expensive air conditioner, even if it isn’t the right air conditioner for your needs or your home. When you hire a reputable, experienced and licensed contractor, it gives you peace of mind in knowing that you are getting guidance as to what’s best for you, not just what’s best for their paycheck.
Mistake #6 Not considering alternative options.
Central air conditioners are one of the most popular options on the market today, and they are certainly what most people think of when they think of air conditioning. But this doesn’t mean that central air is the only option, nor is it necessarily the best option for you. Today, there are a wide variety of options available that may make more sense for your cooling needs and your checkbook. For example, mini split systems, also known as ductless systems, are extremely efficient and can help to improve the air quality in your home. Limiting yourself to just central air because that’s all you’ve ever had is a mistake. Do your research and look into your other options. There might be a better one out there for your needs.
There are so many mistakes that you could make when buying a new air conditioner, and we’ve only had time to go over a few in this blog. In our next blog, we’ll be going over a few more of these common mistakes, so please stay tuned, and if you are currently in the market for a new air conditioner contact us at Tri-Elite Advisors today.