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- By James Wisler
- HVAC
- [otfliker]
When we start thinking about replacing our HVAC unit, what are some of the things we need to ask ourselves? Is there anything that may shine some light on the situation and help us make the best decision?
Well, yes. There are several questions you can ask yourself to hone in on the best possible solution. We’ll discuss a few of those questions below!
Quality of life considerations…
The past is the best predictor of the future. So the major question you want to ask yourself is, “Am I satisfied with the comfort and air quality in my home?” If the answer is no, we highly recommend you tell your HVAC professional.
A true professional will consider your concerns and preferences to recommend the best options.
But remember, comfort doesn’t necessarily mean whether you are just cool or warm enough. Comfort can also relate to the amount of noise your air conditioner produces. It may just be us, but we’d rather not hear our air conditioner rattling throughout the night.
You may also want to consider allergies. Do you or your family have any that your HVAC professional should consider? If so, tell them. They may be able to help you get a unit that will maintain a high level of air quality in your home.
Investment considerations…
Purchasing a brand-new HVAC unit can be a considerable investment. So there are a lot of finance-related questions to ask yourself. For instance, how long do you want the unit to last? If you want to ensure you don’t have to replace your unit again in the near future, make sure you get a unit that will stand the test of time.
Also, ask yourself whether you prefer comfort in your home or wallet. Some air conditioners will provide you with high air quality and the perfect temperature but run up your electricity bill. Other options may be highly efficient but less powerful than you’d prefer.
In most cases, the best option is a healthy balance between the two extremes.
Other important questions to ask yourself include:
- “Do I care about the brand?”
- “Do I care about the warranties in play?”
- “Is safety very important to me?”
- “Do I care who does the install?”
Each of those questions can mean something slightly different to you than it does to us. But they’re important for you to consider. For instance, to someone who has young children in a home, safety could refer to those who do the installation.
Are HVAC professionals trustworthy or not?
On the other hand, safety could refer to the unit itself for other people. For instance, some people may be worried about carbon monoxide– the silent killer.
So be sure to look at everything from multiple angles.
Return on your investments…
If you’re going to sell your home in the future, you may want to hold yourself back from buying the cheapest option on the market. As tempting as that is, buying a quality unit may help your home sell later on.
One last thing to ask yourself…
After you ask yourself all the questions on your mind, you need to ask just one more.
“What caused the unit to fail?”
Some units give out due to typical wear and tear– it was just their time. However, other units may have been pushed past their limits– causing them to give out under pressure. So as you’re discussing your HVAC unit with a professional, ask for their opinion.
If you understand why it broke, you may be able to avoid it happening again.
Of course, if you’d like to have one of the Wisler Plumbing and Air Comfort Advisors talk to you about your unit, give us a call at 540-483-9382!
