Has your old furnace or air conditioner sputtered to a halt? Or is it so outdated that you’re ready to replace it with a superior energy-efficient model?
When you begin your search for new HVAC equipment you’ll have a tremendous number of excellent options to sort through. But beware— there are a number of pitfalls that can trip up prospective HVAC equipment buyers, and if you aren’t careful you may end up spending more money than you can afford for a new HVAC system that causes more problems than it solves.
Pitfalls and Remedies
If you are ready to upgrade or replace your old HVAC equipment, here is a list of pitfalls to watch out for and the remedies that will help you avoid them:
Pitfall: Purchasing an HVAC system that’s too large or too small for your home.
Remedy: Ask your contractor to send a technician to your house to perform a heating and cooling load analysis. With this information in hand you’ll have a much better idea of what size HVAC system you need—as will your contractor.
Pitfall: Jumping at the first reasonable estimates for equipment and installation costs.
Remedy: Comparison shop. Get lots of quotes and talk to a lot of contractors before making any decision.
Pitfall: Accepting a low offer at face value.
Remedy: Avoid prices or quotes that are ‘too good to be true.’ Companies that promise unrealistic savings will either cut corners on equipment or labor or slip in hidden fees later on.
Pitfall: Buying inadequate, outdated equipment.
Remedy: Only purchase equipment that has a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) number of 15 or greater. This means they’re energy-efficient and will save you a lot of money on energy costs down the line.
Pitfall: Paying full price when discounts or other types of assistance were available.
Remedy: Ask about manufacturer rebates and contractor financing. Visit the website dsireusa.org to find out more about the rebates for energy-efficient equipment offered by state governments (there are a lot of them).
Pitfall: Not planning ahead for repair and maintenance costs.
Remedy: Pick a contractor that offers a maintenance plan. These plans will include free inspections, cleanings and maintenance visits along with price breaks on equipment and service calls.
Pitfall: Getting mixed up with fly-by-night operators.
Remedy: Before hiring any contractors, look for online reviews and complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau. Visit their offices in person and ask to see proof their technicians are trained and certified. Find out how long they have been in business and ask around to see what kinds of experiences others have had working with them. And before you sign any contract read the fine print, very carefully.
Finding a Good HVAC Contractor is the Best Remedy of All
Regardless of the equipment or HVAC-related services you need, your most important step is finding an HVAC contractor that always has your best interests at heart— like McMaster Heating & Air Conditioning, for example. We are a trusted name in this business and our commitment to our customers is iron-clad and unshakeable.
If you live in or around Orange County, California and are in the market for a new air conditioner, furnace or heat pump, please contact McMaster Heating & Air Conditioning to learn more about the Carrier products we sell (Carrier is a pre-eminent name in the HVAC industry) and the expert consultation, evaluation and installation services we can provide.
Follow us for more important information that can help keep your HVAC systems humming along at peak efficiency.
