Long Island Air Conditioning Tips: A Practical Guide to Buying an Air Conditioner
Your Long Island air conditioning system will be one of the most important investments you make for your home. With as much energy as air conditioners require the keys is choosing a system that runs efficiently and is well-built in order to last you for far longer than a decade. Today’s equipment provides a wide array of features and benefits that the older systems do not offer. There are several factors to consider when buying an air conditioner, so picking the central air unit for your home is crucial as it will either bring you years of comfort and joy or will prove to be a hassle that brings you endless regret.
Choosing the Right Air Conditioning Installation Company
For many homeowners, it seems that half the battle is finding the right Long Island air conditioning contractor to do the job. If you know what to look for, however, it makes this part of the process much easier. For instance, the first thing you look for is credentials. Is the air conditioner installation company you are looking for New York certified and licensed in the specific area of HVAC sales, delivery, and full installation? Can they provide references with credible clients? What are their company practices, procedures, and policies? How much do they charge and what is a complete list of all the fees associated with the job? Asking the right questions and picking a reputable company for air conditioning installation in Long Island will save you time, money, and a lot of headache.
Air Conditioning Unit Size and Dimensions
When it comes to AC units, size matters. The size of both the interior and exterior equipment needs to be able to fit perfectly into your home or yard area. It needs to be accessible for ongoing maintenance or repairs, and it needs to be securely fastened to the framework of your home. The proper size also means that you the model can adequately cool or heat your home efficiently. If it’s too small then it will have to work twice as hard and probably still not do the job. You will also want to consider how well your home is insulated, the square footage of your home, how tightly the windows and doors are sealed and other key elements.
Efficiency and SEER Rating
In order to determine how efficient your new air conditoiner is, then measure it using the seer rating. The SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is an energy efficiency rating that is standard for all air conditioning units. In a nutshell, the higher the SEER rating the better the energy performance. This ultimately saves energy which saves you money each month on your utility bills. If you own a furnace than you’ll use the AFUE rating which is the equivalent. There are actually government standards which require a SEER rating from 14 to 22 as the range acceptable for all units.
Maintenance and Repair Considerations
Among all the things you should look for in a quality air conditioning system, the long-term costs should be close to the top of the list. If you save money on the front end, but end up spending hundreds of dollars in a relatively short period of time in order to sustain your equipment, then the ‘deal’ you thought you were getting will wind up becoming your worst nightmare. No matter what type, brand, or size of air conditioner you purchase, yearly maintenance will always be required and highly recommended in order to keep your costs low. Do some research on reputable manufacturers and also consumer reports in order to make a wise decision before investing in your next AC unit in Long Island.
