You’re probably thinking you’ll just hop on Google and search for the “best AC equipment 2024” to get all the info you need to make a purchasing decision. Unfortunately, if you do this, you’ll be greeted with information presented by the highest bidders of the HVAC industry who simply want to funnel you into their vortex of trusted brand name distraction and misinformation. So, if you’re ready to discover the real truth of the industry, continue your learning journey below! 👇
Consideration 1- How long has the installing company been installing it? If your contractor isn’t familiar with the equipment you’re likely to have problems. Best case scenario, the job runs long -worst case, it’s not installed correctly. This could turn into a warranty claim down the line I.e. major repair. Which brings us to our next consideration.
Consideration 2- How long is the warranty? What are some of the limitations of it. EVERY manufacture has a wordy page of limitations attached to their warranty. Read the details -a “10 year limited warranty” is more complicated than it sounds…Also, the manufacturers warranty is always separated from the labor warranty. Meaning the cost of the part may be covered, but the labor to replace it won’t fall under the umbrella of the manufacturers warranty. So you could get stuck with a hefty labor bill.
Consideration 3- How fast can the installer respond to the equipment breaking down within the warranty period? Check local reviews! If the company is slow to respond, past customers are sure to have complained. If the installing company can’t get out for 2 weeks when your new system breaks during the hottest days of the summer, the warranty is somewhat moot.
Consideration 4- How heavy is distribution of the equipment in your area? Meaning, how many local HVAC vendors carry the product. This is important if you have a breakdown and need a part. The more local vendors that carry your equipment the better in terms of how fast you will get the part and have your system back up and running. This is also a factor in the price of the part if it’s not under warranty anymore. Meaning a vendor that has a monopoly on the equipment in the region will charge more for a part – they know the situation and use it to their economic advantage.
Consideration 5- is the equipment sized correctly? Most contractors will replace your existing equipment with the exact same size equipment as your old stuff. Why? Because they don’t want to be the one contractor that suggested the smaller size system OR more likely, they don’t know any better -they’re afraid to undersize your equipment because they don’t really know how to properly analyze sizing. In any case, many consumers think bigger is better and it’s a problem. Oversized equipment cost more to install, cost more to operate, is less reliable, wont last as long as properly sized equipment, and causes issues with temperature and humidity uniformity -comfort problems. If your second floor is hotter that your first floor(common is 2 story colonials with equipment in the basement…), upsized equipment will exacerbate this problem. I’ll create another article on this subject as it can be information heavy….Just know, with improvements in windows and insulation, and the fact that in most cases duct work is undersized- you should ask the question of “should we down size the equipment”. Be sure you’re asking the question to a contractor that can answer this question correctly.
