If you’re in the process of selecting a new A/C, make sure to prioritize lifetime costs, rather than “first costs” so your investment pays off in the long run. While your first cost bids may differ by as much as a few hundred dollars, your lifetimes costs could differ by thousands. A high-quality air conditioner will save you money in terms of energy efficiency, maintenance and repair costs throughout its lifetime.
Before you choose the cheapest A/C replacement bid, evaluating these lifetime costs will ensure you’re making the best future financial decision. Keep in mind that a a high-quality A/C, and appropriate system upgrades, could last as long as 20 years or more.
Energy efficiency. When selecting a new A/C, we always advise our customers to choose a system with the Energy Star label. While these units may come with a higher initial price tag, the energy you will save in the long run will pay for the unit, and then add extra money to your pocket via the energy you will gain throughout its lifetime. By skimping on a few hundred dollars now, you could cost yourself thousands of dollars in a decade or two of elevated utility bills. In addition to the Energy Star label, look for an A/C with a SEER rating between 14 and 18 for maximum energy efficiency.
Maintenance and repairs. Besides energy efficiency, the Energy Star label is also an assurance that the system is well-built, comes with an adequate warranty package, and will require minimal repairs. Talk to your HVAC technician to discuss the units you are considering, and which will be the most cost-effective in terms of future maintenance, repairs and upgrades. Also, remember that annual A/C maintenance is critical for keeping your system running efficiently, and to stop maintenance issues before they start.
If you need assistance selecting a new A/C for your home, please contact Arpi’s Industries, Ltd. We can help you breakdown the first- and lifetime costs of prospective units to help you make the best investment for your home’s needs. We’ve provided quality HVAC service for over 50 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Calgary, Alberta about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about selecting a new A/C system and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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