Here are some of the most important questions you should be asking when you’re looking at getting a new AC from an HVAC contractor.
What size do I need?
This is the key to ensuring your comfort level throughout the summer. The wrong-sized unit, either too big or too small can make you very uncomfortable, all summer long. Your HVAC specialist should be able to provide you with an accurate size system for your home, considering your existing furnace size, ductwork sizing, number of people, and a variety of other factors. Lastly, they should be conducting a heat loss/gain to verify the sizing and ensure you’re going to have a cool and comfortable summer.
Do I need a single-stage, 2-stage or variable speed compressor?
This depends largely on your type of home and your goals, reducing utilities, maintaining your optimum humidity level, dealing with problematic areas within the home, and others. If you are simply replacing your existing Air conditioner and reusing your existing furnace, then you will most likely be limited with your options. Single-stage would be the most common for this type of application. A 2-stage system often requires a paired furnace or air handler and will deliver more comfort, lower utilities, and less of a temperature swing. Variable-speed air conditioning is the pinnacle of comfort, with the highest efficiencies and the most temperature and humidity control, delivering over 40+ stages of cooling. This requires a paired system with a matching furnace and thermostat. The system is constantly communicating to ensure peak performance.
Do you offer 24/7 emergency service?
Does the company offer 24/7 emergency service? Based on my friend Murphy and his law, plus years of experience in the industry, your HVAC system will rarely go down during banking hours. It’s very often a Friday night or Saturday when you’re expecting company. Warranty is great, but if they are only available during banking hours, then it’s not very helpful.
Will the new AC be compatible with my existing furnace?
You want to ensure that you’re getting an AC that will be compatible with your existing HVAC system. Installing a variable-speed AC unit, for example, with a furnace that can only deliver 2-stages is a huge waste of money and won’t deliver the type of comfort or efficiency you’re paying for. The HVAC specialist should be able to explain and guarantee this.
Do you have flexible payment options, including 0% interest?
Typically replacing your AC unit was not planned or budgeted for. It often happens after you’ve just made a large purchase and now you don’t have the extra money. Often tight finances can cause panicked decision-making that can lead to negative results. Going with the cheapest option from a company you’ve never heard of, paying with your credit card with a 19% interest rate, will end up costing you more in the end. You won’t get the high-quality installation, the top-notch level of customer service, the highest efficiency, or the optimal comfort you and your family deserve. You want to ensure you get the system you want with a low or 0% interest rate, where you can be comfortable and confident with your purchase.
How many technicians do you have at your company?
I would anticipate that most people haven’t thought about this one before, but it’s another important question to be asking. Let’s think about it for a minute, if a company only has 1 or 2 technicians, chances are they will not be around when you need them, they simply don’t have the capacity or maybe they decided to enjoy the summer and take a vacation, with lead times 1-2 weeks out. Ensure your company of choice has enough technicians so that you feel confident that they are going to be able to take care of you and your family when you need them most.
How long have you been in business?
This question can tell you a lot about a company quickly. If they have been around for many years, then there’s a good chance they have been doing something right. They have a long list of satisfied clients, great ratings, exceptional customer service, flexible payment options, and more. There are a ton of new companies popping up every day and, unfortunately, are gone just as fast. You made the rushed decision to purchase from them, after all they were slightly cheaper, and now they are nowhere to be found when you need them to repair the newly installed system.
