These days the internet has become a very valuable tool for price comparing when considering purchases, especially major purchases. Everyone uses it. However, if you are considering a new heating and cooling system you need to consider more than just what the best price is and who carries the top brand. The largest factors when buying a heating and cooling system are the installation and maintenance.
Industry research shows that 90% of the value you receive is tied directly to installation and maintenance. The evaluation, installation and maintenance of your system have a greater impact on your wallet and overall comfort than the equipment itself! It is important to make sure it is installed properly, by a reputable company, and maintained to keep it working properly long after you buy it.
A properly installed heating and cooling system starts with a qualified technician performing a load calculation on your home prior to system selection. This calculation is necessary to insure that you get the correct size system to meet the needs of your home. A unit that is too big (oversized) may have a higher upfront cost, raise your utility costs, remove less humidity and fail more quickly. A unit that is too small will have to work harder to heat and cool your home and will most likely fail prematurely as well. A load calculation takes into consideration factors such as, the square footage of usable space in your home, the number of windows, types of windows, insulation amounts, the direction your home is facing and along with many other factors.
Another major factor in insuring that your system in installed correctly is to hire a reputable, trained technician. A professional service technician will know that your ducts need to be checked before installing a new HVAC system. If the ducts are too small they will cause your HVAC system to use more energy and will deliver less comfort. Too small of ducts will lead to early equipment failure as well. A trained technician will also know to measure and document your airflow, to measure refrigerant charge, to ensure that your unit is safe electrically, to test the firing rate on a new heating system or boiler and to test your thermostat to ensure it is compatible with the new equipment.
By choosing a reputable HVAC company for installation they should be able to provide you with a copy of the installation checklist with a record of all measurements taken during installation, as well as provide a copy of the owner’s manual, manufacturer’s warranty and their warranty. Along with this you should get a list of recommended maintenance requirements. Maintenance is key to keeping your system working at peak performance.
Many people don’t think that they need to maintain newly installed equipment. Not only is this necessary to keep your warranty in effect (most equipment manufacturers will state in the terms of their warranty that an annual maintenance must be performed by a qualified technician), but also to assure that your new equipment is operating safely and at its peak efficiency.
There is nothing better for your heating and/or air conditioning system than annual maintenance. Annual maintenance allows your system to continue to work at peak efficiency year in and year out. A system that is maintained annually experiences considerably fewer breakdowns and costly repairs along with using less energy. You’ll enjoy the peace of mind in knowing that your system is saving you money on your utility bills every time it comes on. In some instances, the energy savings are enough to pay the cost of the planned annual maintenance service.
So, when you’re in the market for a major purchase like a new heating & cooling system to maximize your home comfort do your research and pick a reputable, experienced HVAC company. Leave the internet to products that do not rely on the value of installation and maintenance!
Sources:
www.lindstromair.com
www.energystar.gov