Read reviews
It’s sad but true— air conditioners don’t last forever. A/C units that are over twelve years old have pretty much fulfilled their life expectancy and can become cost prohibitive to repair. When it’s time to replace your air conditioner, here are four tips to help ensure that you’re making a wise investment when it comes to cooling your Texas home:
- Pick Your HVAC Contractor Wisely: If you choose well, the same HVAC technician who installs your new air conditioner will be the same one who performs any service or repairs for years to come. Unfortunately, not all HVAC contractors are trustworthy. Make sure that you check the Better Business Bureau’s rating for any business you consider working with. Just so you know, at Richmond’s Air, we’re pleased to report we score an A+ with the BBB, and many of our techs are NATE certified.
- Make Sure You Buy the Right Sized Air Conditioner. Ensuring that you have the right size air conditioner is very important in determining how satisfied you will be with the comfort and efficiency of your new unit. Your HVAC contractor should always measure the cooling load of your home, even if you think the same size air conditioner you had the last time will work.Changes in energy efficiency upgrades to your home, like new windows or added insulation, can lessen the cooling load while additions can increase the load. Making sure that you have the right size air conditioner will mean that you’re satisfied with both the temperature and the humidity of your house, as well as the energy bill.
- Choose an EnergyStar Model: If you have to buy a new air conditioner, you might as well consider an EnergyStar model, which can save you about 15% on your cooling costs, according to the EnergyStar website. In the continual Texas heat, it won’t take long for the additional investment of an EnergyStar air conditioner to pay off.
- Check the Warranty: When you’re making an investment like a central air conditioner, you need to make sure you’re spending your money wisely. Any air conditioner you buy from a reliable company should have a warranty of at least ten or more years and it should cover parts as well as the condenser unit.
When it comes to living in Texas, the experienced HVAC technicians at Richmond’s Air (…serving Houston, Katy, Spring, Bellaire and surrounding communities) know how important central air is to your home.
When it’s time to replace your central air unit, we’re here to help you find the right unit for cooling your home for years to come. Call us today with questions you have about upgrading your system, or read our Heat Beat to learn more about your home’s air conditioner.
