Tips for buying a new air conditioner

If you’ve decided to purchase an air conditioner there are many things to consider. A new air conditioner is a significant investment. You want to make sure you’re getting a suitable unit for your home and needs.

Fagnan Furnace Services offers the repairs and installation of air conditioners in Calgary. They share some helpful tips for buying a new AC.

Find an HVAC company you can trust

The first step in any home improvement is finding a skilled and reputable contractor you can trust. You want to make sure they have experience in the industry, licensing and insurance, WCB coverage, and good customer references. You also want to check the products they offer and details on any manufacturer or labour warranties.

Recognition or certification from a third-party organization, like RenovationFind, is important too. It will also ensure they’ve met and kept up to a high level of standards. You’ll find all of this with Fagnan Furnace Services.

Choose the right AC size

Calgary air conditioners come in a range of sizes. If your air conditioner is the wrong size for the square footage of your home, you might have some issues down the road. A unit too small won’t properly cool the house and will be straining to operate. The extra strain could cause premature breakdowns. If the AC unit is too large for the home, it will continuously switch on and off. Coming on and off more than necessary wastes energy and could increase your power bill.

Measuring your home and retrofitting your new air conditioner to your current HVAC system is something Fagnan Furnace Service will take care of for you. They’ll perform a load calculation. The calculation will determine the size of AC your home will need to stay comfortable and run efficiently. They might also recommend upgrades to other aspects of your home to help keep that cool air in and the heat out!

Consider the SEER rating

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It helps measure an AC unit’s efficiency. You’ll want a unit with a SEER rating between 14 and 22 – the higher, the better. It would be best if you also looked for the ENERGY STAR label. This certification sets apart the most efficient units on the market. Investing in a high-efficiency AC will cost more upfront, but you’ll see energy and money savings in the future.

Budget for annual maintenance

Like anything mechanical, your air conditioner will require annual maintenance to maintain efficiency and performance. Having HVAC companies in Calgary inspect the unit and give it a cleaning and tune-up each spring is essential. It will prevent breakdowns and ensure energy efficiency.

Ready to purchase your air conditioner? Contact Fagnan Furnace Service to get started.