5 Secrets to Buying Heating and Cooling Equipment119532

Shopping for a heating and cooling system can be rather difficult, especially if you are one of those unfortunate home or business owners who waited until their system was completely down to replace it. So how do you go about making the right decision? These five secrets will get you on the right track:

1. A larger size isn't always better. Every system should be sized appropriately to the building it will be installed in. Some retailers will sell you a larger system simply because they make more money off of it, but you should always make sure that the system you purchased is mead to heat and cool the size of the building you are putting it in. A system that is too large or too small will create major problems for the building down the road and cost you higher and higher heating and cooling costs each month. For example, an air conditioner that is too large for the space will cool it down too quickly and then turn off before it has had a chance to lower the humidity in the space. The result is a space that has an excessively high humidity level.

2. The contractor you pick to install it is an essential part of the equation. Even the best heating and cooling system, if improperly installed, will cost you a lot more money than your old one did in the long run. Every system must be installed exactly to the specifications of the manufacturer, and if the contractor you hired doesn't do it perfectly, then you will be stuck with years of high heating bills simply because you did not make a wise decision about who should install it.

3. Have all ducts inspected and / or repaired before having anyone install a new heating and cooling system. The ductwork is probably the most important part of the HVAC system other than the units themselves. If there is a leak anywhere in the ductwork, you could be losing heat or cool air or have problems with excessive duct. You may even find that by repairing the ductwork, you can buy yourself another year or two with your current system. And if the ductwork has major issues, your problems won't be fixed by replacing the furnace and / or air conditioner.

4. Replace various components of the system at different times before they completely die. The furnace should be replaced about every 15 years, and the heat pump should be swapped out every 10 years, as should the air conditioner. This will keep you from having long periods when you have no ability to heat or cool your home or business, and you will be able to keep up with the latest levels of energy efficiency in these appliances.

5. Depending on where you live, different systems may be better or worse for your home. Ask several contractors to recommend various types of systems for your home. For example, if your gas bill is exceptionally high during the winter, you may want to consider a furnace that is at least 95 percent AFUE or higher. To tackle high electric bills, look for a system that is 15 SEER or more.

The heating and cooling system is one of the most important parts of your home or commercial building. Replacing it is a major decision, and you need to time it just right. But educating yourself about the possibilities beforehand will make the process go smoothly. toronto