People like keeping cool. The problem is, air conditioners can use up a lot of electricity in the United States. According to the Department of Energy, they use up 6% of all the electricity in the country. You want to get the most efficient HVAC system. That means you want to do as much research as you can. Here are several questions to ask your local HVAC contractors.

What Size Unit Do I Need?

This is an important question since it depends on the size of the room that the unit will be in. If it's small and the room is large, then it won't be effective. The opposite will happen if the AC is too big and the room is too small; then, it will be too cold. Either way, you will be wasting your money and energy. Talking to the contractor will help guide you to make the right decision.

How Efficient Will My Unit Be?

This is where you need to talk with the contractor about the SEER rating of the HVAC system. The rating is determined by how much cooling is produced by how much energy is used. The real issue that you want to focus on here is how much you will likely be saving on your energy bill. You need to find the right balance between having something that will cool your place and also keep money in your bank account. Quality local HVAC contractors will have the right answers for you!

Are There New Technologies Available?

This is more a test of how up-to-date the contractors are. Make sure to do a bit of research beforehand. If they don't seem knowledgeable about things like ductless systems or the variety of thermostats that are used in these units, then you might want to keep looking. Just like you want a doctor who knows all the latest medical breakthroughs, you want to use people who embrace the future and not the past.

What Brands Do You Have?

You want to be dealing with contractors who work with reputable brands but aren't just trying to push a certain one on you. While there are companies that have name recognition value, you want to get the best results and there might be newer companies that have entered the marketplace that can give you even better value for your money. Make sure you read some reviews before you make any decisions on a particular brand.

What Kind of Payment Plans Do You Have?

Getting an HVAC system is not an insignificant purchase. They can cost a good amount of money. See if the contractor has any payment plans that let you spread out the cost. You could spread out the payments over the course of upcoming months. Both of them can wind up easing the financial burden that you would bear.

Is There a Warranty?

You want to find out how the HVAC company and its contractors feel about their products and whether they stand by them or not. They will show this in the form of guarantees and warranties. The longer the warranty, the better. That way, if something goes wrong due to normal use, then you can get a replacement. Find out the exact terms so that you don't get surprised later on. There are a couple of other things that you can explore with the contractors, like rebates, whether they handle permits if the government requires it, and if you can use your existing air ducts (provided the system isn't ductless). Of course, you want to find out how long it will take. That will help you plan out things.

If you like the answers that you hear, then you can move ahead with the installation. It's important to do the research first so that you can get the most efficient system for your money. It can also help the environment and your energy bills, and then it will all be worth it!

Are you looking for local HVAC contractors in your area? We can help you find reputable ones who will gladly answer all of your questions and charge you fair rates. Contact us at Harding Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today!