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A common question homeowners ask when it comes to heating and air conditioning repair or replacement is how they can get their money's worth. A variety of questions can follow this primary one: such as, "Am I getting a fair price and is the system I have the best one for my home?" "Am I choosing the right service contractor?" "Should I really consider a preventative maintenance program?" With the following information, you'll be able to find the HVAC system that produces the highest return on your investment when you buy it and for the rest of its life. Energy Efficiency When considering value, past the initial installation, energy rating is key. Similar-sized HVAC systems can vary greatly in the amount of energy they use to heat or cool your home. One "bargain priced" four-ton unit with a low energy rating (E-rating) we know of costs half as much as a more efficient four-ton unit. So even though the lower E-rating means a lower purchase price, you pay more in energy costs. So if you pay an average of $100 more each month in electricity to power the unit, over the life of that system (10-15 years) that's $12-18,000 in higher utility costs. So in the long run, the more expensive, higher E-rated unit is really cheaper to own. All the name brands offer systems in varying sizes and E-ratings. Choosing a Contractor As to selecting a contractor, get at least three bids and make certain the contractor is more than just licensed. One picture is worth a thousand words and a well groomed service tech in a clean, modern vehicle who represents a reputable company gets my vote over some guy in some pickup with a messy truck bed. Look at your HVAC company like a business partner. These are the people who will be servicing your unit - and managing its warranty - for as long as it lives: the next 10-15 years. Preventative Maintenance Preventative maintenance programs are not to be confused with "service contracts" like those offered by homeowner service agencies. Ask all of your potential HVAC contractors if they have a program and learn all you can about what they offer. Most commonly, they involve annual or seasonal "check-ups" to maintain proper Freon levels, drop off air filters (which should be changed monthly if you don't want to have to replace an expensive blower motor), and run diagnostics on the unit to assure optimal performance and look for signs of pending failure. A fair price for this type of program is in the $50 per-month range. Often, the service company will qualify you for be a nominal discount on needed additional service tasks that maintenance reveals. But the best part about a preventative maintenance program is that your HVAC unit will run smoothly and continuously during peak periods of hot and cold weather. And you won't have to sweat or freeze for a few days until a tech finally makes it to your home to fix a sudden failure. Need service on your HVAC? Grand Rapids, MI is home to Schaafsma Heating and Cooling. Learn more at http://www.schaafsma.com/.
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