One of the biggest selling points for residential heating and cooling upgrades is the promise for a significant return on investment. However, a lot more goes into the equation than simply buying an air conditioner that’s new. In order to get the best return on investment from your new air conditioning unit, be sure to take the following factors into account.
Efficiency
It’s no secret that some air conditioners are better than others. You can determine your annual energy savings with a fair degree of accuracy by referring to a product’s Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER). Air conditioners with a SEER rating of 16 or better are considered to be high efficiency. So while you may be trying to cut costs in the short term, keep in mind that you’ll end up paying for it down the line.
Installation
Another area that many home owners look to when trying to cut costs with a new air conditioner is installation, but when you are working with high efficiency air conditioning units, this usually proves to be a big mistake. Experts say that poor installation accounts for a significant amount of energy losses. If you do decide to complete the installation on your own, pay particular attention to duct size as well as air supply and return systems to prevent energy pitfalls.
Size
The size of your cooling system plays a big role when it comes to your indoor comfort and your energy savings as well. Some people make the mistake of thinking the size of a proper AC unit is determined solely by the size of your home. However, experienced heating and cooling contractors use a fairly complex calculation to determine your home’s cooling load based on factors such as its layout, insulation, and location.
Quality
When it comes to air conditioners, you get what you pay for. Reputable brands have proven themselves with time and are more likely than not to continue doing so. Going with the lesser known, inexpensive option often requires significant future investments in repair and maintenance costs. Premier manufacturers also have more experience in producing quality products and tend to offer more energy efficient options.
Maintenance
Perhaps the most important factor in sustaining your return on investment over time relates to maintaining your cooling system. Without proper maintenance, no AC unit will perform to its full potential. Many heating and cooling contractors offer ongoing maintenance packages that include discounts when your system does need to be serviced.
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