5 Factors to Consider When Selecting a New Air Conditioning System for Your Home
Planning a new air conditioning installation can be a bit overwhelming, especially if your old cooling system is dead, and you are in the middle of a summer heatwave. You need to get a new system fast, so here are a few things you need to know when selecting a new air conditioning system for your home
1 – Size of the Area You Want to Cool
The most important aspect of selecting a new air conditioning system (or any new HVAC installation) is to select one that properly fits the size of the home or business. If you select a new air conditioning system or furnace that is too small, it won’t be able to keep the area at a comfortable temperature for you. Plus, it will work harder and constantly run in an attempt to manage the temperature of the space and wear out the system much faster. But if you install too big of a system, you will have too much cooling capacity which will make the HVAC system far less efficient because it will need to start and stop often in order to maintain a steady temperature. This causes the cooling system to use a lot more energy and create a lot of wear and tear on the system
The wrong sized air conditioning installation will ultimately cost you more in wasted energy and a shorter lifespan for the installed HVAC equipment.
2 – Reputation of the Air Conditioning Installation Company
Selecting the right size of air conditioner for your home or office is important, but installing the right size won’t matter if the installation is not done well. Installing a new heating or air conditioning system really shouldn’t be a DIY project. Most HVAC equipment manufacturers demand that the unit be installed by a trained, licensed air conditioning installation company in order to honor the equipment warranty. A poorly done AC system installation may lower the efficiency of the system, so it is always a good idea to ask around to select an excellent HVAC installation company to take on the project.
Look at the HVAC company’s ratings in Google My Business, Yelp, and other review sites. Check out their BBB rating, and talk to trusted friends or family members to see who they would recommend as well. Doing a little homework upfront can save you a lot of money and headache in the long run.
3 – SEER Rating
If your air conditioning system is more than 10 years old, innovations in HVAC technology have made modern air conditioning installations far more energy efficient resulting in much lower monthly energy bills. The air conditioner’s SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) lets you know how efficient the air conditioning system is. Current AC installations have efficiency ratings anywhere from 14 to 25, a considerable improvement over the average SEER of AC units on the market 15 to 20 years ago. Even a SEER rating that is a bit higher than the rating of your current system can save a lot of energy (due to the higher efficiency) and save cost as a result. These savings alone may justify the expense of replacing your air conditioning system right now.
4 – Select a Combined HVAC or Separate Heating and AC Systems
Another important factor to consider before selecting a new air conditioning system for your home is if you’d like to buy a combined HVAC system, such as an electric heat pump. These serve both as a heating and cooling system. There are many benefits to doing this, especially if your furnace is also old or ready for replacement. It can use the same ductwork and can be less expensive than replacing your heating and cooling systems separately.
5 – Availability of Rebates and Free Financing
Currently, the State of Massachusetts is offering rebates up to $2750 if you upgrade your current air conditioning system to a new energy-efficient hybrid HVAC system such as a Mitsubishi heat pump. The older your system, the higher the rebate. When you combine the money you save due to using less energy with the new system with the Mass Save Rebate, purchasing a new HVAC system is an affordable option right now.
Still need some financial help to make a new HVAC installation a reality? The Home MVP Program is a program offered by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (MassDOER) that provides 0% interest financing for as long as 7 years for residents who make energy-saving improvements to their homes.
Looking for a High-Quality Air Conditioning Installation Company in Eastern Massachusetts?
We service and install air conditioning and heat pump systems for Westford, Ayer, Sudbury, Marlborough, Hudson, Stow, Groton, Concord, Littleton, Bolton, Acton, Arlington, Lexington, Belmont, Cambridge, Newton, and the surrounding cities and areas around Eastern Massachusetts and the Greater Boston area. Give Muirfield Mechanical a call at (978) 296-5251, fill out our easy contact form, or send an email to lswanson@muirfieldmechanical.com to get a free, no-obligation estimate on a new energy-efficient air conditioning installation for your home or office. Our HVAC specialists can assess your situation and come up with the best solution for you that can be quickly installed at an affordable price.
