Buying a new cooling or heating system is a big investment. You need to consider the efficiency, size, type, ratings, and fit of each system within your budget. In this article, we’ll review what you need to consider when buying a new HVAC system for your home. Whether it’s spring and you’re looking for a new air conditioner or it’s fall and you need a new furnace, our buying guide can help you.
If you’re a homeowner or business owner here in Buffalo and Western New York, the team here at Reimer Home Services is ready to help you find the right cooling or heating system. Give us a call for a free in-home estimate today.
Look at the SEER rating (and other ratings)
If you’ve had your air conditioner or furnace for 10-20 years, HVAC technology has probably changed a lot since the last time you went shopping for one.
To get a good deal, it is important to go for the latest technology offered in the market in regards to energy-efficiency.
Getting an HVAC system with better ratings means you are saving significant amount of money every month while simultaneously protecting the environment.
SEER, HSPF, AFUE and EER are different rating methods designed to tell you, as the consumer, what you can expect from the HVAC system in terms of energy-efficiency. Generally speaking, the higher the rating, the more efficient the air conditioner or furnace.
Compare: Gas & Electric Furnaces
Pair your new system with a programmable thermostat
Thermostats have also come a long way in the last decade or so. There are now programmable thermostats available, which allow you to set the times and temperatures your air conditioner or furnace will run at. This kind of automated system can save you money on your monthly energy bills.
Many programmable thermostats can be controlled through your smartphone or smart home device. They’re a good investment to pair with a new air conditioner or furnace. By using your systems more efficiently, a programmable thermostat can help your HVAC units live longer, more productive lives.
Get the appropriate size of HVAC system
Another crucial thing to consider while you are buying a new HVAC system: make sure that the size of the unit fits your home space or size. The best way to find out what size of furnace or air conditioner you need? Call in the HVAC professionals at Reimer for a free installation estimate, and we’ll advise you on what size of HVAC unit to purchase.
Why does this matter? Well, an oversized or undersized HVAC system presents a number of problems that can end up costing you money. Here’s how:
- Having too much heating and cooling capacity will make your HVAC system less efficient, because it will be consuming more energy to provide conditioned air for less space. It will also constantly start and stop, causing further wear-and-tear than normal.
- Have too little heating and cooling capacity means you will be sacrificing your comfort because there will be inadequate cooling or heating according to the size of your home. Your system will also accrue more wear-and-tear as it runs constantly to try to keep up with demand.
Get honest advice on what HVAC unit is best
A lot of heating and cooling companies specialize or partner with just one brand. Even if that brand’s systems aren’t right for your home, they’ll have no choice but to push you in that direction, since that’s what they sell and install.
In contrast, a company like Reimer carries and installs multiple makes and models of air conditioners and furnaces, which means we can give you a more honest evaluation of the type that’s right for your home.
Cost matters… but not exactly in the way you think
Don’t make the mistake of just picking an air conditioner or furnace based on the sticker price alone. That’s a bad way to think about things, because the true cost of a HVAC system can often only be evaluated when it finally stops working.
Here’s what that means: let’s say that you purchase a less expensive air conditioner that saves you $3,000 compared to a better, more expensive model. You might think you got a great deal! But, if that worse air conditioner needs constant repairs, uses more energy, and dies at an earlier date than the other unit, you might not come out ahead at the end.
That’s why energy efficiency is so important: if you choose to buy a less expensive and less efficient air conditioner or furnace, you’re going to pay for it, every single month, for the lifetime of that unit. Just something to think about when you’re buying a new HVAC system.
For more tips on buying a new HVAC system, call Reimer
After getting the right HVAC system for your house, it is important to get it installed professionally for optimal results. At Reimer, our technicians are experienced professionals serving the greater Buffalo, New York area. We offer free in-home estimates on new systems, so don’t hesitate to give us a call with your questions or to get started.
You can reach our team at (716) 272-2371, or contact us online. Also, you can check out what your neighbor have to say about us.
