Buying a new air conditioner should deliver improved efficiency and enhanced indoor comfort. If your existing unit has been on the job for years, you should immediately notice upgrades in cooling performance as well as lower operating costs when the new system is installed. A new central air conditioner typically lasts about 15 years. You’ll be living with the buying decisions you make now for a long time, so make sure you get it right from the start. Avoid these common mistakes before and after buying a new air conditioner.
- Sizing guesstimates. Rough estimates about the capacity of a new A/C aren’t accurate enough to provide optimum cooling and efficiency. Any new air conditioner purchase should always be preceded by a professional sizing survey of your home to determine the exact required BTU capacity of the replacement unit. Oversized and undersized air conditioners provide poor performance and higher operating costs.
- Saving money on “bargain” units. Cut-rate equipment from little-known manufacturers may indeed offer a lower upfront cost. However, reduced efficiency, substandard cooling performance and poor reliability frequently make these units a bad deal over the long run. Stick to recognized industry brand names and reputable local HVAC contractors for the best results now and in years to come.
- Unprofessional installation pitfalls. The energy efficiency and performance specs of your new air conditioner are all calculated on the assumption that the unit is professionally installed by a qualified HVAC contractor. Getting the job done by an untrained, non-certified individual isn’t sufficient for today’s precision, high-tech cooling systems. Cutting corners with an unprofessional installer may create performance and efficiency shortfalls that will hamper your system for as long as you own it.
- Neglecting contributing factors. Optimum A/C cooling and lowest operating costs also rely on conditions in the structure of the house. For best results, upgrade attic insulation to current standards, find and eliminate structural air leaks and make sure you ductwork is sealed to prevent conditioned air loss.
For the professional approach to buying and installing a new air conditioner, contact the experts at Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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