Buying any new appliance can be a daunting task, but you do not want to make any mistakes when it comes to getting a new AC. There are a number of mistakes that you could make when buying a new air conditioner that you need to be aware of. You also need to know what you can do to avoid these pitfalls and get the air conditioner that you need.
Choosing The Cheapest Unit
One of the most common mistakes that people make when buying a new air conditioner is choosing the cheapest unit. These units are easy on the wallet when you buy them, but they generally come with some expensive problems later on. The biggest issue is the fact that you will generally end up having to repair them more often which increases the long-term costs.
Another issue that comes with the cheap units is the fact that they use outdated systems. This can be a major problem particularly with the fact that R22 refrigerants are being phased out. In fact, you will not be able to get this refrigerant after 2020.
A cheap unit could be one that is still using this refrigerant and this is something that you need to avoid. If you do end up buying one of these units, you will have to replace it in 2 years. This is due to the fact that residential air conditioners generally cannot be retrofitted to take other refrigerants.
Getting The Wrong Size Unit
A lot of people do not think about the fact that there are different AC sizes, but this is a major factor in choosing the right one. You need to get a unit that is right for the size of your home or you will run into problems. If you get a unit that is too small, it will struggle to cool down your home. However, an overly large unit will cool the home to quickly which results in it turning on and off a lot and reduces its efficiency at eradicating humidity in the house.
Using a rough estimate for the size that you need is a mistake that you should avoid. It is better to have a professional survey your home and provide you with a clear estimate of the size that you need. A professional will know what to look for when estimating the size and the overall capacity of different units.
The survey of your home should result in you knowing the exact BTU capacity that you should be looking for. When you have this amount, you should not look at air conditioners that do not match this exactly.
Missing Rebate Opportunities
Another pitfall that you want to avoid is missing the rebate opportunities that are present. There are many manufacturers and states that offer rebates to help and offset the costs of certain air conditioner systems. These are generally the systems that cost more because they are more energy efficient or environmentally friendly.
These rebates can help you buy a better system that will actually cost you less in the long term. To determine if there are any rebate opportunities, you will need to look at the manufacturer’s website or the state website. A simple Google search may also yield the results that you want so you can save some money. It is important to note that some of the rebates on offer can be as much as $1,500.
Not Looking At The Maintenance Contracts
In order to ensure that your air conditioner is working correctly, you need to stick to a regular maintenance schedule. This is due to the fact that over time, dirt and debris, as well as other substances, can build up in the system and this will limit its effectiveness. This can also lead to damage and having to replace certain parts of the air conditioner.
As the maintenance of the unit is important, you should avoid the mistake of not looking at the maintenance contracts. The maintenance contract offered by the seller or the manufacturer should help you keep the system running at its peak. However, if you do not check this, you could find that the maintenance help you get from them is very limited.
While you are looking at this, you should also consider the warranty offered on the unit. Longer warranties are better because they show that the manufacturer is sure that their product is durable and will last. If you are looking at a unit with a very short warranty, this could be a sign that the manufacturer does not believe the system will last longer than this amount of time.
Not Having A Professional Install The Unit
While this is not a pitfall that comes with the actual buying of an air conditioner, it is still something that you will want to avoid. It is vital that you have your AC with new generation refrigerant installed by a certified and qualified HVAC contractor. You need to verify that they have the certification to do this and that they adhere to any licensing standards set in your state.
If you have an inexperienced and uncertified person install the air conditioner, you could face a lot of problems. Poor installation will cause performance and efficiency problems that will impact your energy consumption. To overcome this, you will have to hire a professional to remove the unit and reinstall it. This will be an added expense which could have been avoided by hiring a professional in the first place.
There are also some manufacturers who void your warranty if the unit is not installed correctly and by a certified professional. This means that you will not be able to use the warranty when something goes wrong because the manufacturer can say that the faulty installation was to blame. This is a lot of hassle that you can easily void when you take the time to hire the right people to install your system.
There are many pitfalls to buying an air conditioner that you will want to avoid. These pitfalls will end up costing you more in the long-term as you have to fit them.
