3 Important Things To Consider When Replacing Your Home's Air Conditioning Unit

Buying a new air conditioning unit for your home is a big decision that should not be taken lightly. Purchasing an air conditioning unit and having it installed can cost several thousand dollars, so you need to think carefully about what your best options are. Ideally, if you know that your home's air conditioning unit is old and on its last legs you should plan in advance to replace it instead of scrambling when it fails completely on a hot summer day. Being prepared will give you the time that you need to make the best choices about which air conditioning unit to buy and who to hire to install your new air conditioning unit. Consider the following things when replacing your home's air conditioning unit:

Energy Efficiency

If you're replacing an old air conditioning unit, you will be happy to discover that new air conditioning units are much more energy efficient. However, different models will have different energy efficiency ratings. Thus, when you are looking for a new air conditioning unit to purchase, you will need to keep the energy efficiency rating in mind. A good rule of thumb is to purchase the most energy efficient new air conditioning unit that you can afford. The most energy efficient air conditioning units may cost a bit more, but, in the long run, you will actually save money since your monthly cooling costs will be much lower in the summer.

Warranty

Since a new air conditioning unit can be quite expensive, you will want to buy a model with a good manufacturer's warranty. A comprehensive warranty will provide financial protection for a set amount of time in the event that your air conditioning unit needs to be repaired or even replaced if it is found defective. Prior to purchasing a new air conditioning unit, it is in your best interest to carefully review the terms of the warranty to help ensure that it provides the protection that you need.

Installation

Removing an old air conditioning unit and installing a new one is not a DIY job that you should attempt on your own. It is very important to hire a licensed HVAC contractor to install your new air conditioning unit. It is important to know that installation costs are separate from the price of the air conditioning unit, so you will need to carefully manage your budget to ensure that you can afford both the air conditioning unit and the cost of installation. Check with a company like Travers Plumbing & Heating Inc for more information.