If you’re getting set to replace your HVAC system for the first time or if you’re installing a new HVAC system in your new San Diego home, it’s important to be armed with information to ensure that you make the best choice. With such a large investment on the line, you want to be sure that you purchase a system that will keep you happy and comfortable for years to come.
At times, though, there can be a lot of confusing and seemingly contradictory information regarding new HVAC systems. To help you make an informed HVAC purchase, we at Ryan Refrigeration, Heating, Air, and Solar offer this guide with questions that first-time HVAC buyers should ask.
What Will My Budget Be?
Before you can go any further in the HVAC-buying process, it’s vital to consider how much money you can spend. At Ryan Refrigeration, Heating, Air, and Solar, we work hard to give you a great system that fits within your budget, but you first have to know what that budget is.
After all, you don’t want to put yourself in financial hardship due to buying your first HVAC system. Therefore, you’ll want to consider the cost of the system and the cost of installation and then figure out how you want to foot that bill.
One option is to pay for the entire cost upfront. This option prevents you from having monthly payments but means that you’ll need to save up the money before you can get a system installed. The other option is to arrange a payment plan with your HVAC company or another lender. In most cases, this will allow you to get your new HVAC system sooner. However, you’ll have to make monthly payments on the system after it’s installed.
Who Will Install My New System?
Believe it or not, the question of who will install your system is the second most important question once you figure out your budget. Even though questions of heating and cooling capacity, energy efficiency, and other variables are important, the company that installs your unit will ultimately determine its effectiveness. A middle-of-the-road system installed by an experienced installer such as Ryan Refrigeration, Heating, Air, and Solar will be far more effective at keeping your home comfortable than a top-of-the-line system installed by technicians who don’t really know what they’re doing.
To locate a trusted contractor, you’ll want to first find a company that is NATE certified. NATE, the North American Technical Excellence board, sets strict criteria for HVAC contractors to ensure that they provide quality service for all customers. You’ll also want to read online reviews and ask for references from the company to ensure the reviews are legitimate.
What Are the Most Important Qualities?
After you figure out your budget and your contractor, it is important to consider the system itself. At Ryan Refrigeration, Heating, Air, and Solar, we can help you work through these different options to assist you in choosing a good system. However, it’s good to know these options for yourself.
It’s important to choose what your single most important quality is when it comes to an HVAC system. Is price the most important factor? Maybe you live in a smaller home and the noise levels of the indoor components are key. If you want to do all you can to help protect the environment, then an energy-efficient unit is the best way to go.
There are plenty of qualities to balance when you buy an HVAC system, but only one can be the most important. Choose what your most important quality is, then work with your HVAC contractor to find a system that matches your priorities.
When Do I Need It Installed?
Depending on why you’re considering an HVAC system installation, your timeline may or may not have flexibility. If your current HVAC system has failed, then you need to work quickly to have your new system installed. If you think your system is on its last legs, but it’s still heating and cooling your home, then you have a little more flexibility. Or, if you’re installing a system at a new home, then you can work with your general contractor to better understand your schedule.
In many cases, the spring and fall are less busy for Ryan Refrigeration, Heating, Air, and Solar because people aren’t pushing their systems as hard, meaning that there are fewer emergency calls to respond to. If you can, then, try to time your installation to fall in one of these seasons so that you can be sure to have your system installed on the specific date you choose.
What Else Can I Install?
An HVAC system can do far more than heat and cool your home. With the right accessories, an HVAC system can also be used to change other qualities of the air in your home to make it even more healthy and comfortable for your family.
For example, by adding a whole-home air purifier along with your other HVAC components, you can enjoy clean, filtered air all throughout your property. You can also add components such as humidifiers and dehumidifiers to perfectly control the moisture content of your air so that it always feels comfortable on your skin and helps protect against mildew growth.
It’s important to keep in mind that these components require extra power and space to install. This means that you’ll want to plan with Ryan Refrigeration, Heating, Air, and Solar early in the process so that the installation goes as smoothly as possible.
What Brand Should I Use?
To be sure, the brand of your HVAC equipment is important. After all, you want to choose a brand that offers superb reliability and trouble-free performance. As important as these qualities are, though, the brand of your HVAC equipment should be one of your last considerations as most equipment manufacturers produce a quality product.
Basically, you don’t want to limit yourself to a certain brand right from the start and then try and get all your other requirements to fit into that box. Instead, it’s good to figure out your other requirements and then choose a quality brand that matches those needs. This will help you find solid, affordable equipment that will keep you comfortable for years to come.
How Do You Know Who to Turn to?
While you’re in the process of asking questions, you may be wondering why you should trust us at Ryan Refrigeration, Heating, Air, and Solar. Fortunately, we have plenty to offer to back up our claim that we are trustworthy. We are proudly family owned and have been serving our community for over 25 years. We aren’t a “fly-by-night” operation that will take your money and run.
This long venture in the HVAC industry has allowed us to gain expertise in a variety of fields. Beyond our skill in the repair, maintenance, and installation of air conditioners and furnaces of all types, including mini-split systems, we also offer commercial HVAC services for all types and sizes of jobs.
Furthermore, we adhere to specific core values that are summed up in the acronym “R.I.S.E.” These letters stand for “respect,” “integrity,” “service,” and “excellence.” These commitments don’t mean much, though, if they’re not borne out in the treatment our customers receive. However, when you read our reviews, you will quickly see that our customers receive great service and a commitment to excellence time after time.
If you’re ready to take the plunge and buy your first HVAC system, give us a call at Ryan Refrigeration, Heating, Air, and Solar today. We provide heating and cooling services in the San Diego area.