- These 10 Guaranteed Tips will save you time, money, and aggravation.
You don’t need the weatherman to tell you that it is hot in Richmond. And it feels great to come inside from summer’s heat and feel the cool, dry air from your air conditioner. But what do you do when it breaks? You can only take off so many clothes before it is considered illegal.
I cannot tell you how many times I have heard homeowners say, “I will wait until it dies.” The unfortunate thing is that an air conditioner usually “breaks” when it is running the hardest, or when you need it most. And on those 90+ degree days, these same homeowners would gladly give their right arm for air conditioning NOW!
And, it is at this moment, as the house begins to heat up, and the extra humidity swirls around you, a homeowner needs to be as calm and cautious, as ever, before they make that decision (hopefully a good one!) that will last for the next 10 to 15 years.
10 Tips On Buying An Air Conditioner
Tip10:
Make sure your system is on a maintenance schedule– Customers tell me all the time, “The unit is brand new, I don’t need to have maintenance!” Think about it this way, in one month an A/C unit in the Richmond heat will run the equivalent of 30,000 miles in your car. You wouldn’t dream of going that far without an oil change, let alone a tune-up. Getting a new system serviced twice a year is just as important, if not more so. Dirt is the #1 cause for all system repairs and breakdowns. Make sure your investment lasts as long as you would expect it to.
Tip 9:
Get as many estimates as it takes – We are all conditioned to get three estimates and then make our decision. But what if you have picked three “bad” companies, which one do you pick? My point is that you should keep interviewing companies until you find that company that will provide the equipment and services, for a reasonable price, that meet your criteria. It may only take one, or it may take ten, but it will be worth it down the road. Spending the time now in this step, will save you a lot of money down the road.
Tip 8:
Important Considerations – The new 13 SEER minimum efficiency standard has gone into effect as of January 2006, raising the minimum efficiency of air conditioners from 10 SEER to 13.
Also, the refrigerant of today (R-22) will be gone tomorrow. Under the terms of the Montreal Protocol on ozone depletion, as of 01/01/2010, HVAC manufacturers cannot produce equipment containing R-22 refrigerants. The new environmentally safe refrigerant R-410A alternative is currently being sold at a reasonable price compared to R-22 equipment, and will soon be the industry standard.
Tip 7:
Do not pay in advance – Some companies, or “friends in the industry”, will demand that you pay in full prior to installation. Do not do this, no matter how good the deal is. In most companies it is customary for a fractional down payment upon the agreement, with payment in full upon completion of the job. There are also many financial programs available, such as deferred payment plans, or Same As Cash plans, etc., to help offset an emergency installation.
Tip 6:
Understand that you will need to make a sacrifice – Equipment, Service, or Price. In all my years as a consumer, I have never found a good quality product that is reliable and durable, that was installed by the highest trained company with a long parts and labor warranty, all for the cheapest price in town! Two out of three is the best anyone can hope for. So what is most important to you? Do you prefer a high-quality, dependable product made with strong, durable materials, built to last a long time, or is it crucial for you to have a reliable, certified, and efficient service company that takes pride in their work and your home to install it? Or you might just want to get the lowest price you can? There are no wrong answers because every situation is different. So be prepared before your decision, which one of these three are you willing to sacrifice?
Tip 5:
Have your ductwork inspected – If ducts are damaged, improperly installed or the wrong size, they can cut your system’s ability to heat or cool by more than half on hot or cold days, when you need it the most. A 30% return duct leak on a hot or cold day can decrease your heating or cooling capacity more than 50%. That may sound extreme, but it’s not an uncommon condition. Some contractors will upsell high efficiency equipment to emphasize your comfort. If you install a 15 SEER A/C unit on a leaky duct system, it could be operating as low as 7 SEER. (Take a look at K95 radio-host Lori Kelly's house. A real eye-opener!)
Tip 4:
Get a load calculation performed- The size of an air conditioner is not arbitrarily chosen and put in a house. A qualified contractor (See Tip 1) will perform a Manual J load calculation standardized by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). This load calculation measures the heat loss and heat gain inside the building envelope. Knowing this, we can size the system appropriately so it is not over or under sized. Keep in mind, if you have made any structural improvements like new windows, or added insulation, or a new addition, these can alter the original load calculation of the house.
Tip 3:
Set An Appointment – Do not get a quote over the phone! In order to get the best system for your needs and your home, a contractor must inspect the location of the equipment and the physical layout of the house. This tip alone can safeguard against any “hidden” charges after the installation has begun, or any sizing issues. Which leads me to. . .
Tip 2:
Ask Questions: There have been so many advancements in the HVAC industry over the last 20 years. And unlike the automobile industry, the consumer does not have the luxury to “test drive” a new air conditioner. So the decision to replace your A/C system is one that, once the unit is installed, will last for the next 10 to 15 years. So ask questions. Make sure it is what you want. If you are unsure about anything, a good contractor will welcome the questions and give you honest answers.
Tip 1:
Find a licensed, insured, and qualified contractor- I know that this seems like a no-brainer, but there is always a “friend who does this work on the side for SO much less”. It is not just the A/C system that you are buying. You are also purchasing the contractor’s experience to do the job correctly, his insurance if there are any unfortunate accidents during the installation, and mostly his staff of employees. Ask friends, co-workers, or relatives whom they have used and are comfortable with. (Besides, the good contractors love the referrals!)
Not all Contractors are Created Equal
When consumers decide to buy toaster ovens, televisions and DVD players, the process is typically to go out, check prices and buy the product with the best price. Price shopping makes the purchase easy. The price tells us which manufacturer to choose. But, when it comes to buying a heating and cooling system, price may get you into deep trouble. Many consumers ask, “How can the price be different, all three contractors are quoting the same unit?” The answer is easy and difficult at the same time. Heating and cooling systems are not toaster ovens. They do not just come out of the box, plug in and operate. When a contractor estimates a system, the equipment itself is only 40% to 50% of the price. The balance is in design, labor, parts, materials, warranty, wiring, controls and other components. So, when the consumer is presented with the price, they must know that a significant portion of the total bill is for things other than equipment. It's a fact that, when there is a difference in price on heating and cooling systems, there is always a difference in the scope of the job. Consumers must take great care in educating themselves on the contractor and his sales representative, because bottom line, you are NOT buying a heating and cooling system, you are buying a contractor. Always buy from the contractor in whom you have the most confidence. Period. Be sure that your contractor gets to know you and takes the time to discover how you live, your comfort problems and your plans for your home. This information will help him or her in the process of designing the system that is just right for you, and keep you out of the heat all summer long.
Tracy Parrish
Service Manager
Howells Heating & A/C
11216 Air Park Rd.
Ashland, VA 23005
(804)798-1371
Article written by Tracy Parrish, Service Manager for Howell’s Heating & Air Conditioning, Tracy has over 20 years of experience in the HVAC industry. He began his career as a service technician, and moved up to a commercial service mechanic and from there to a Commercial Service Supervisor position. He has been employed with Howell's since 1991 as the Service Manager. He is an approved instructor and proctor for CFC and NATE certification. He is an active member with the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society and currently presides as the President of the Central Virginia Air Conditioner Contractors Association. Tracy has been a driving force for Howells with his involvement on the company's ESOP board. His passions are his family, the open road on his Harley, and the success of Howell's.
