Your heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system makes up 50-60% of your annual energy bill. With an average life expectancy of around 12-15 years, it is important to install the most efficient system that you can afford. There are many important points to consider before purchasing a new HVAC system. Equipment selection, sizing, warranties, quality installation and price are very important factors in determining what system is right for you.

Equipment Selection
When deciding among HVAC brand names, the most important factors are efficiency, guarantee and, of course, price. There are potentially thousands of combinations of HVAC systems available. It would be impossible to have one system that would be ideal for all situations. Efficiency is the primary factor when deciding which system is best for your home. When shopping for a heat pump, the two efficiency ratings are Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), which indicates cooling efficiency, and the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF), which indicates heating efficiency . On both ratings, the higher the number the more efficient the system. If you need to replace a gas furnace, the efficiency rating used is the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) which is based on a percentage scale of 100. Again, the higher the percentage (closer to 100) the more efficiently the system will operate. On an air conditioning system only, you must consider the SEER. Your contractor should be able to tell you the ratings on the equipment or you may look at the energy guide label on the unit itself. This yellow tag is put on most major appliances by the Federal Trade Commission.

Sizing
Another factor to consider when purchasing a new HVAC system is accurate sizing. The "Bigger the better" strategy does not apply here. An oversized system will "short cycle" causing shortened compressor life and excessive moisture buildup in the home. An undersized system will operate continuously on mild days and have difficulty lowering the inside temperature during extremely hot weather. If you have experienced any of these problems, have a heat loss/gain calculation done to accurately size your new system. This calculation takes square footage, insulation levels, window and door measurements and other information into account in determining which size system is best for your home. Most heating & air contractors perform this service.

Warranties
It is important to understand the manufacturer's warranty. The industry standard is 5 years for a compressor (heat pump or air-conditioner), 5 years for a heat exchanger (gas furnace) and 1 year for parts and labor. Many dealers and manufacturers offer extended warranties and maintenance contracts. The services are usually well worth the cost.

Quality Installation
As with anything else, the new HVAC equipment you purchase is only as good as its installation. While price may be an important aspect to consider, the competency of the crew installing your system is crucial to your comfort and the operating cost of the system.

A quality contractor:

Complies with all federal, state, and local building codes and carries the proper licenses and insurance certificates.

Has an up-to-date knowledge of the latest in HVAC systems, service and installation practices.

Listens to you about any problems that may have existed in your old system or any changes that you plan to make in the future.

Price
The best way to determine if a dealer's prices are fair is to compare estimates from several reputable companies. Be sure to obtain as much information as possible in order to make a good comparison. Other important questions to ask are:

How long has the dealer been in business?

Do they have a permanent business location?

What level of training do their representatives receive?

Is 24-hour emergency service available?

When shopping for an HVAC dealer/contractor, it is important to obtain as much information as possible on the job cost estimate. This is the best way to accurately compare prices. For instance, one dealer may have included replacing a portion of the ductwork, while a lower priced estimate may have included only the repair of the duct. We strongly recommend requesting a list of references from the dealer to assist in your efforts to determine previous customer satisfaction.