One of the most stressful situations you can find yourself in as a homeowner is entering the hot summer months with a broken central air conditioner and no cool air inside your increasingly warming home. Air conditioning systems often fail at the worst possible times, leaving homeowners scrambling for AC replacements with short notice and little time for consumer research. Selecting a replacement can be an intimidating decision because of the cost of the units and all of the different options and considerations that go into making the right choice for you and your home.
When you need a new unit, Care Temp LLC provides air conditioning installation in Ocean County, NJ, and the surrounding area. Our goal is to help make air conditioner replacement easier by providing the options, information, and expertise to help guide you through the entire process. We can help you avoid several common mistakes when getting a new air conditioning unit and keep you from losing your cool in the hot summer months.
Here are some of those common mistakes:
Getting the Wrong Size for Your Home
Buying the wrong-sized unit is one of the most common mistakes when getting a new air conditioning unit. Several factors come into play when determining the best air conditioner for your home. The size of central air conditioner units is measured in tons and BTUs (British Thermal Units). Generally, larger air conditioning systems are required to cool larger spaces. If the air conditioner is too small, that will cause it to work harder and reduce the lifespan of your unit.
However, you also want to be sure you don’t get a larger unit than you need, which will cause you to waste energy and money. At Care Temp, our technicians can inspect your existing system and explain the options that they offer and go offer pricing with you.
Not Considering Energy Efficiency
AC units are rated based on efficiency standards. The EnergyStar and Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings of the unit you select can significantly affect the system’s overall cost. Energy Star is a government-backed program that allows manufacturers to display their logo on products that meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s energy efficiency specifications.
The SEER rating of your AC replacement unit is also based on how energy efficient the unit is. The higher the SEER rating, the less energy the unit uses to operate. Understanding these ratings is important so you aren’t disappointed by your unit’s cooling performance or the cost of running it to cool your home. Care Temp can help you understand the impact of Energy Star and SEER ratings on the price of a unit and select one that will cool your home as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.
Choosing to Do It Yourself
Some customers may think they can save money by installing new air conditioning systems themselves. While the perceived cost savings may be tempting, installing a central air conditioning unit requires the expertise of a licensed professional HVAC company. These units often involve working with electricity, gas, plumbing, ductwork, and existing heating units that can be far more complex and even dangerous to work with than the weekend do-it-yourselfer may be able to handle safely. This is especially true for new installations to a home that didn’t previously have central air. Improper installation can cause leaks, inefficient operation, and even damage to the unit. They can also void the warranty on your air conditioner.
Additionally, do-it-yourselfers may not be able to identify more cost-effective options for their cooling problems. If your old system isn’t working, you may have options for air conditioning repair or maintenance that might get it working again, helping you avoid the need for a full replacement altogether. Care Temp can inspect your existing system and let you know if an AC repair would get it working or if it makes sense to replace the unit based on the repair costs.
Forgetting to Check With the City
Municipalities and counties may require that homeowners acquire a permit before replacing air conditioning systems. They can also require an inspector to verify that any unit is installed properly. Skipping this step can potentially haunt homeowners when they try to sell their house and face delays or fines because local regulations were not followed. When Care Temp installs your new air conditioning system, we take care of submitting the permits for you.
Not Knowing Extra or Hidden Costs
Another common mistake people make when getting a new air conditioning unit is not considering all the extra costs associated with installation. The cost of an air conditioning unit itself is not the only cost that needs to be covered. Installation is usually an extra expense, especially if any modifications need to be made to the existing HVAC system to accommodate the new unit. Additionally, if your ductwork is old or leaking, it may need to be replaced along with the old unit to make sure your system is functioning properly. You’ll want to be sure you’re dealing with a reputable company, like Care Temp, that will give you a free comprehensive estimate detailing all of the costs of your new system, including labor.
Not Planning to Maintain the New System
It’s essential to stay up to date on routine maintenance to keep your new air conditioner running well. This means familiarizing yourself with the features of your system and the proper ways to use them. It also means making sure you change air filters as recommended, understanding the size and type of filters your system requires, and how to replace them. You can ensure that your new AC unit runs efficiently for years by scheduling regular maintenance appointments with our Care Temp technicians. We recommend scheduling a maintenance appointment early in the spring to check your system before the hot summer months. Scheduling your appointment early ensures any issues can be addressed before your cooling system is needed for warmer weather.
Call Care Temp for Help With Your New HVAC System
At Care Temp, we understand that replacing an air conditioning unit can be a frustrating and daunting experience for any homeowner. It’s a complex system that many homeowners aren’t familiar with, potentially leading to many common mistakes when they have to get a new air conditioning unit. But it’s not a decision you need to make alone. Our goal is always to put the customer first and guide you through the entire process, including:
- Making sure that you understand the available options
- Providing you with a comprehensive estimate
- Answering any questions you may have
- Having your work done by our professionally trained technicians
- Guaranteeing our work – no questions asked
If you need heating and cooling system installation or AC repair service in Toms River, NJ, contact us today to schedule a FREE estimate. Let us help you avoid the common mistakes homeowners make when getting a new air conditioning unit.