how to pick the best system...save money,
and be sure you get what you pay for
Are you in the market for a new heating and cooling system? Authorities say, be
careful. Many homeowners who have invested in new high efficiency heating and cooling
equipment didn't get the comfort and energy efficiency they paid for.
an important decision with long term implications
Buying a new heating and cooling system is a very important financial decision.
What you pay to buy and install the new equipment is only a small portion of your
total costs. More important, you are essentially giving your utility companies permission
to send you a bill each month for using the new system. You’ll also have to maintain
it, and pay to fix it when it breaks down, and replace it if it fails prematurely.
Over time, the combined costs of owning a system always far exceed the initial cost
of buying it. The wrong system, improperly installed, could sentence you
to over 20 years of excessive utility and repair bills. It may also not deliver
the comfort you expect and deserve, and it may adversely affect your family’s health
and safety. So the first thing you need to know is ... don't rush into your decision.
If you make the wrong choice, you probably won’t be able to justify tearing it out
and starting again. You’ll literally have to live IN your decision for as
long as you own your home.
the three reasons your new system may not work the way it’s supposed to
- Your new system may be the wrong size for your home.
- Your existing air duct system may have major hidden deficiencies.
- Your new system may be installed improperly.