No matter how well-maintained they might be, furnaces, air conditioners and heat pumps do have limited lifespans. If your HVAC equipment has worn out you know first-hand this is true.
Before you purchase new HVAC equipment, however, you should be aware of the pitfalls that can trip you up and leave you singing the blues. Make these mistakes and you’ll soon be out of money and out of luck, stuck with overpriced equipment that doesn’t work hasn’t been installed properly.
Pitfall #1: Buying an HVAC system the same size and capacity as the old one
If you’ve done any remodeling in your home, or closed off formerly occupied rooms, or made any other significant alterations to your home’s structural character, your heating and cooling needs may have changed.
To get an estimate for proper equipment size, ask an HVAC company you trust to send a technician to your home to perform a heating and cooling load analysis. If you reside in the Salt Lake City area please call HVAC Contractor Inc., and we’ll be happy to send a consultant to your home to carry out this evaluation. We have extensive experience with this procedure and will provide you with an extremely accurate estimate.
Pitfall #2: Not looking for rebates
They’re available and they can cut the costs of your new furnace, air conditioner or heat pump considerably.
Your HVAC contractor can help hook you up with manufacturer rebates, while a website called the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency can show you where to find state government rebates for energy-efficient HVAC equipment.
Pitfall #3: Staying uninformed about SEER
This acronym stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratings, and it is a scale used to evaluate HVAC equipment for energy-saving performance.
A furnace or air conditioner rated 16 on the SEER scale would be considered energy-efficient by modern standards, and while it might cost you a bit more to purchase such a unit you could cut your utility bills by 20-30 percent on a monthly basis.
Pitfall #4: Not purchasing a maintenance plan
Maintenance plans are like insurance. For a few bucks a month you’ll get free bi-annual maintenance inspections and cleanings, and you’ll even get some solid discounts on parts and labor if and when your HVAC system needs some repair work.
Pitfall #5: Picking a HVAC contractor without fully vetting them first
Great HVAC companies have great reputations because they’ve earned them, and they rely on their good name to attract clients and grow their businesses. Bad companies, on the other hand, will only hang around as long as their sales pitch is good enough to cover up for their unreliability and general ineptitude.
When choosing an HVAC contractor, don’t fall for a slick PR spiel. Check references, read any online reviews you can find, ask for proof the company’s installation technicians are certified, demand to see written proposals that spell out every cost and fee and make sure they are willing to stand behind their work with a 100 percent satisfaction guaranteed pledge.
HVAC Contractor Inc. is at the Head of the Class
HVAC Contractor Inc. has been handling the heating and cooling needs of Salt Lake City residents for more than a quarter-century. Superior training and skill, rock-solid customer service and a tireless work ethic are our calling cards, and we are confident we can offer you a consistent level of excellence that our competitors cannot surpass.
If you live in the Salt Lake City area and are in the market for new HVAC equipment contact us right away. We’re authorized dealers of Carrier HVAC products (Carrier is the most respected name in this business, bar none) and we’ve set the gold standard for fast, efficient and affordable installation services.
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