How to Choose a New Heating and Air Conditioning Unit for Your Home Comfort

Has that old heating and air conditioning unit given up the ghost? Is it time to upgrade for comfort or economy? A new heating and air conditioning unit means a lot of different things to a variety of people; I am going to lead you down the path to the right decision when choosing your new central air unit.

Brand names: I have different central air favorites for different applications, I'll not list names here, certain brands may not be available in your area or certain brands I have never worked with are. I will say there are many high quality units out in the community any one of which will do the job it is intended for.

Warranties: Here is where the real fun begins; you need to check the warranty carefully! They are not all created equally. The first warranty for your new heating and air conditioning system that you will see, refers to the main unit or casing. Fine print will define what is and what is not covered the full length of time.

If it is a natural gas appliance, the heat exchanger will have a different time limit for it, ten years is usually pretty standard. Your furnaces heat exchanger can rust through; leaving a very dangerous situation, carbon monoxide can be released from your heating and air conditioning equipment into your home.

On newer central air units, a computerized circuit board will control the function and safety devices.

There is usually a different warranty for them as well.

The squirrel cage or fan motor and housing also may have a differing warranty.

In an air conditioning system with refrigerated cooling, the condenser and coil will also have warranties.

Split systems VS Pak units: A split central air system usually consists of two or three separate units, a furnace, coil and condenser (or an air handler with the coil in it and a condenser).

A pak or package heating and air conditioning unit is self contained with all the parts in one container that has to be installed outside of the building.

If you already have a split system in place, most contractors will try to replace it as such, with a large variety of reasons to do so. Here is the 'kicker.' A split central air system is always more expensive unless, you really do not need to replace it in its entirety. There are more pieces of equipment to purchase, more wiring and plumbing to run and that means more expense.

Heating and air conditioning contractors: Check their credentials, licenses and history. As in all things there are good ones and bad ones. Check your better business bureau and talk to people who have used their heating and air conditioning services. Building codes were written with your safety in mind, a non-licensed HVAC contractor could put you at risk.

Ease of access: This item can also cost you money! If your new heating and air conditioning system is in a very hard to access area of your home, it costs more labor to service or replace. (If your unit is under the house, flooding is a real concern. I learned that the hard way.)

Ocean views: They are fantastic; but, salt air will ruin any outdoor central air components that aren't specifically made to endure in that environment. The coatings required are more expensive, yet unavoidable if you really want those components to last longer than a couple of years.

Miscellaneous factors: When changing out equipment or installing new heating and air conditioning for the first time, there are a few things to consider.

Electrical requirements of the new heating and air conditioning unit will dictate whether your current electrical service will run your new unit or if it needs to be upgraded to match the new heating unit. Switching from a gas furnace, to an electric unit will require rewiring for the amperage needs. This requires an electrician and more added expense.

Gas pressure, newer units are very picky when it comes to pressures. Your supplier may even need to boost it if necessary and possible.

Standing pilot or auto light pilots: automatic lighting pilots are more economical yet more expensive, save now or forever more...

Furnace efficiency: The new furnace systems are smaller and more efficient; more money can buy more efficient systems from 70% up to 95% and above. The higher efficiency furnaces flue run cooler and flue pipe is PVC plastic. The flues run at much lower temperature, which means they condensate and need drains to handle the water and let it escape into your plumbing.

All in all your new heating and air conditioning system require some decisions on your part and a competent contractor to install it. Once that part is done, there is little left to do but enjoy a comfortable winter from inside a nice warm comfy space and the comfort of a cool home in summer provided by the new central air system.