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Replacing the heating or air conditioning system in your home whether by choice or necessity is a very big investment.  Trying to figure out which brand, which size, even which dealer to use can be overwhelming.  Here are some tips to help you navigate your way into a unit that meets both your needs monetarily and your expectations of comfort.

Take a Course in HVAC

No, not literally.  However, with all the online resources at your fingertips, internet searching is a great place to start.  Sometimes, though, it’s hard to know when the sites are trying to inform you and when they are trying to sell you.  Energy.gov has some really great information.  From air conditioners to ductless mini splits and programmable thermostats, Energy.gov has helpful tips and explanations in terms we can all understand.

Call a Dealer

Any reputable dealer will be happy to take the time to answer any questions you have and address any concerns, not only because they want your business, but because they know the more informed you are as a home owner, the happier you will likely be once you finally make your choice of heating and air conditioning systems.  The more you know about what you want the more you can educate them on what you want. 

Consider the Aftercare

Warranty coverage is very important when it comes to purchasing a new system.  Typically you should see equipment warranty ranging from 5-10 years.  Labor warranties can vary widely from 1-10 years.  But, something just as important is the aftercare you and your system receive once it is installed.  Question the dealer or dealers you are considering.  How long have they been in business? Do they have references?  Do they have a store front?  What about emergency service?  What is the reputation of the brands they sell?  The answers to these questions will put you more in control when choosing the company you are going to be working with.

Ballpark Pricing

Have you ever had a dealer tell you they don’t give ballpark pricing, especially over the phone?  Well, this is actually a really good thing and here’s why.  Ballpark pricing is usually based on either the square footage of a home, the size of the system currently installed or a combination of both.  Neither of which are very accurate.  You may have had a unit in your home that seemed to cool and heat just fine, but ran more than it should have because it was too small.  On the flip side, when someone gives ballpark pricing, they tend to oversize the unit, which means you’re paying for a larger unit than you actually need and will likely experience comfort issues as the unit heats and cools too rapidly.  Over sized units also tend to cause issues with humidity within the home.  A reputable dealer will want, if not require, an in home consultation where they can figure what is known as a Manual J Load Calculation.  This allows for things you might not even think of that most definitely need to be taken into consideration, such as, insulation value, thickness of walls, the way the house faces, number of windows, plus several others.  Most dealers give free estimates, so all it will cost you is a little bit of time.  If time isn’t something you have to spare at the moment, Trane.com has recently launched a tool than can determine price ranges based on your location and other parameters you input yourself, such as single family home, one story, age of the home, and several other items.  Again, this is not as accurate as a Manual J and should only be used as a tool for you to get an idea of what you are going to be investing.  A bonus Trane gives you is letting you know about any rebates or low/no interest financing options available on the systems they recommend.  All the information you give Trane.com can be saved and sent directly to the nearest Trane dealer.  The dealer can contact you to set up a meeting or you can save the information for later when you are ready to move forward. 

Knowledge is power as the saying goes.  When it comes to purchasing a new heating and air system, you don’t have to be an expert.  You just have to know what questions to ask and where to go for the answers so that in the end you have a reliable and efficient piece of equipment installed by a company you can trust. 

Butler Heating & Air has been serving West Plains and the surrounding area for 24 years. Check out more information about our heating and air services by clicking here or call (417) 256-7984. 

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