Blog / Helpful Tips For Buying A New Central Air Conditioner

Central Air Conditioning Buying Tips

So the hot weather is approaching or maybe it’s already reached you, and your central air conditioning system fails or you think it’s time to replace it.  What are your options?  How do you know how to correctly size an air conditioner for your home?  What questions should you be asking your heating and cooling professional?   This is a major purchase for most homeowners and you should go into it informed.  You want to be able to pick the best home comfort system, taking into consideration cost, comfort, your home itself, efficiency and payback.

Below are some useful tips when purchasing an air conditioning system.

• Choose a reputable HVAC Contractor.  You should look for companies that have been around for at least 15 years.  You want to make sure that if you should have any problems regarding the installation of your new air conditioner after the fact that you have a reliable company backing up their work.  Some companies may work cheaper but won’t back up their work after the installation.  Ask for referrals and check out Angie’s List.
• Expect a home evaluation.  You should have an HVAC professional evaluate your home to determine the best air conditioner for cooling your home efficiently also known as a load calculation. This is calculated using the following factors, the amount of cooling needed in your climate, the amount of square footage you have to cool, and the condition of the “envelope”, which is the part of your home that comes in contact with the air outside.   
• Importance of choosing the right size A/C.  If you install an air conditioner that is too large, it will cycle on and off too often, which substantially reduces its efficiency.  If it is too small, your air conditioner will have to work too hard and use up too much electricity.
• Get efficient equipment. Pay attention to the efficiency rating (SEER).  The higher the SEER (measure of seasonal or annual efficiency of a central air conditioner) the lower the operating costs.  You should try to get the highest SEER air conditioner that you can afford.  Although the upfront costs may be higher, with the rise in energy costs seen across the country, consumers are seeing a much quicker payback with less electricity being used. You can go to the Energy Star website and download an Excel spreadsheet that will help you estimate your savings and payback by using an energy efficient air conditioner (located in the far right column, titled: “Savings Calculator”).
• Don’t wait until it’s broken. Know when it is time to replace your A/C.  Don’t wait until you’re desperate to cool your house down in the middle of the hot summer.  If you have a technician that regularly maintains your system, ask the technician when you might need to replace your system.  If your system is 12-15 years old, you should expect it to start failing more frequently. 
• Plan ahead and buy during non-peak season.  If you plan ahead and purchase your system during non-peak season your HVAC work will be easier to schedule and you can more than likely receive off-peak season pricing.
• Be aware of any efficiency rebates or special offers from HVAC companies.  Check out the HVAC’s website to see if they are offering any deals. You can also go to the Coolray website and the Energy Star website for more details on cooling equipment.
• When replacing an older model air conditioning unit (12-15 yrs old) replace all of the components not just some.  All of the components of a central air conditioning system are designed, manufactured and calibrated to work together for optimum performance and efficiency.  By replacing only some of the air conditioning components, your system will not work at peak performance or its highest efficiency.
• Annual maintenance agreements are a good value.  This generally involves having the air conditioning checked in the spring and the heating checked in the fall.  A regular check-up can help prevent repair or safety problems and will help to extend the life of your system.  It will also help keep your utility bills down by insuring your system is working at peak performance.