If you’re purchasing a new HVAC unit for the first time, you probably don’t know much about an HVAC unit. Unfortunately, many will try to leverage this and try to misguide you. If you are one of the first-time HVAC buyers and don’t want to get misguided, you must ask the following questions.

4 Questions First-Time HVAC System Buyers Must Ask

1.   What Are the Different Types of HVAC Systems?

There are different types of air conditioning units on the market, such as split AC, mini-split or portable AC, central air conditioner, floor-mounted AC, window AC, geothermal AC unit, etc. Each of these air conditioner units comes with some unique features and benefits.

For example, if you’re looking for a cooling unit for one room, you can buy a portable or mini-split air conditioner. On the flip side, if you’re searching for a cooling unit for your 3BHK house, you can purchase central, window, or split AC. Again, if you want to cool each room individually, you can purchase a window or split over a central air conditioning unit.

If you don’t want to face the hassle of maintaining and cleaning air ducts, you can choose a ductless air conditioning unit.

Like the air conditioners, there are different types of furnace units available as well. For example, you can choose a natural, electric, oil, or propane furnace. These furnaces differ in efficiency, heating capacity, coverage, etc.

If you’re looking for an economical way to heat your space, you should purchase a natural gas furnace. But if you live in an older home or have no gas line, you can purchase an oil furnace. But compared to gas furnace units, oil furnaces pollute the air more and require more space.

Generally, most homeowners prefer to have a natural gas furnace unit. However, as natural gas pollutes the environment, more and more homeowners are shifting towards the electrical furnace system.

If you don’t want to purchase two separate HVAC units for heating and cooling, you can purchase a heat pump, which can do both. Heat pumps are more economical, efficient, and require less space.

2.   What Should be the Unit Size?

Before purchasing an HVAC unit, you’ll have to determine the capacity of the HVAC unit, not the physical size. If you purchase a too big or too small HVAC system, you won’t get the desired comfort. Besides, when you purchase an oversized and undersized HVAC unit, it’ll consume more energy and create a lot of pressure on the system. Eventually, you’ll require frequent repairs, which will decrease the unit’s longevity. That’s why before purchasing an HVAC unit, contact an HVAC technician and ask the professional about the correct size of the HVAC unit.

While measuring the capacity of the HVAC system primarily, you’ll have to consider the size of your house. Besides, you’ll have to consider the insulation, number of occupants and windows, building type, etc.

3.   How Much Does It Cost?

The HVAC installation cost depends on factors such as HVAC type, labor cost, ductwork installation, additional installation accessories, etc. If you want to purchase an oil or gas furnace, it can cost you around $2,000. However, if you don’t have any ductwork installed in your house, it can go up to $5,000, including the material and labor costs. Again, by installing HVAC accessories, you can make your house more comfortable. Some of these HVAC accessories are air purifier, humidifier, etc. But when you add these HVAC accessories, it’ll increase the overall costs. Besides, this HVAC installation cost can go up further if you need to change your home’s electrical panels.

4.   What are the HVAC Efficiency Ratings?

If you want to save money on energy bills, you’ll have to reduce the HVAC operating cost. For this, you must purchase an energy-efficient furnace or AC system.

The AFUE rating is used to indicate efficiency. Usually, modern HVAC systems have an AFUE rating between 80 and 98 percent. Apart from the AFUE rating, the energy star rating and SEER are being used. This label indicates that the system you’re purchasing uses minimum energy while operating.

If you’re thinking about buying a new furnace or cooling unit, you can check our HVAC product section. We sell and install all Goodman, MRCOOL, RunTru, and Trane HVAC products. Besides, we provide emergency HVAC service in Dallas and its surrounding areas 24/7.

Call 972-992-5006 to know more about the services offered by Green Leaf Air.

See the summary of this content here – 4 Questions First-Time HVAC System Buyers Must Ask [Infographic]