Bates Air & Heat LLC
AC Buyers Guide
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Air Conditioner Buyers Guide
You’re a/c just died, and you are needing a new one, what do you do? Who do you call? There are so many options, companies, recommendations. Its mind numbing!
Well, this air conditioner buyers guide is here to help you make the most informed and best decision on replacing the most expensive appliance in your home. There is next to no information out there to help with this decision. Many a/c companies will take advantage of your lack of knowledge to sell you what fits their interests or their bottom line.
We here at Bates Air and Heat have created this guide to help homeowners like you get the most information to make the most informed decision possible when purchasing a new AC system.
- Air Conditioning Company Reputation/Reliability
- Types of A/C Systems
- A/C Sizing
- Single Stage/ Two Stage/ True Variable Speed
- Cost to replace A/C System
- Ductwork & Insulation
- Controls & Indoor Air Quality
- HVAC Warranties
- Financing
- SEER Ratings
- Our Service Area
- What we do differently when installing your A/C unit
Air Conditioning Company Reputation/Reliability
When choosing a reputable HVAC company in Vero Beach for a complete AC replacement, the first thing you need to look at is the review. Are they highly reviewed? Do they have a lot of reviews? Are they listed on Google? All reputable companies will have a Google listing with several hundred if not thousands of reviews.
Will they be there when you need them on a Friday or Saturday night if you air conditioner needs after hours repairs? Are you calling a company with an answering service with on call technicians that can be to you in a few hours or are you calling someone that might not even answer the phone?! I tell everyone who gets other quotes, to call that company or person on a Saturday night at 10-11pm, see if they answer the phone, much less offer to come out that night! It saddens me to see that 95% of companies don’t answer the phones after hours or if they do, want to make you wait for their business hours to come out and repair your a/c!
Are their technicians/ installers up to date on the latest technology from the manufactures?
Are their technicians/ installers background checked and drug tested?
Types of A/C Systems
- Straight A/C with electric heat
- Heat pump
- Gas Furnace with A/C
In south Florida, we use our air conditioners 11 months out of the year, there are 2-3 weeks where we may need heat. 99% of the time a straight a/c unit will do the job at hand. Straight A/C units have fewer moving parts and have higher SEER ratings.
If you use your heat a lot during the winter, a heat pump is the way to go. It reverses the flow of refrigerant (Freon) to send hot refrigerant inside and cool refrigerant outside. It is a more efficient way to heat your home.
Gas furnaces are few and far between in South Florida, but they are out there. In most cases we can convert a gas furnace setup in your home to a heat pump system.
AC Sizing
When sizing an air conditioner, YOU CAN NOT SIZE SOLELY ON SQUARE FOOTAGE! If have done improvements to the home (new windows, new or more insulation, new roof) these can reduce the amount of cooling capacity needed to cool your home.
A/C sizing is an important consideration when purchasing an air conditioner. It involves determining the cooling capacity required for your space. An undersized unit will struggle to cool the area effectively, while an oversized unit will cycle on and off frequently, leading to inefficient operation and increased energy consumption. It is essential to have a professional perform a load calculation to determine the appropriate size of the air conditioner for your specific needs.
If they do not and try to size your unit by square footage, they are setting you up for failure from the start!
Single Stage/ Two Stage/ True Variable Speed
Single stage, two stage, and true variable speed are different types of compressor technologies used in air conditioning systems.
Single stage compressors operate at full capacity whenever they are running, providing a fixed cooling output.
Two stage compressors have two levels of operation, allowing for more precise temperature control and increased energy efficiency.
True variable speed compressors can adjust their speed and cooling output continuously, providing the highest level of comfort and energy efficiency.
Cost to replace an a/c in Vero Beach
The cost to replace an air conditioning system can vary depending on several factors, including the size of the unit, the type of system being installed, the complexity of the installation, and any additional features or upgrades. It is recommended to obtain multiple quotes from reputable companies to compare prices and ensure you are getting a fair deal. Additionally, consider the long-term energy savings and potential rebates or incentives that may offset the initial cost of the system. If a company’s price is too cheap to be true, ask yourself, what are they cutting out to give you that low of cost???
Ductwork and Insulation when replacing an Hvac unit
Ductwork and insulation are important factors to consider when purchasing an air conditioning system. Properly designed and sealed ductwork ensures efficient airflow and distribution of cooled air throughout your home. If a tech does not check the ductwork in the attic. The most efficient unit will not perform at its rated SEER and will have a lot of problems.
Insulation helps to prevent heat transfer, keeping your home cool in the summer and reducing energy consumption.
Thermostats and Indoor air quality
There are different types of thermostats available, including programmable thermostats and smart thermostats. Programmable thermostats allow you to set temperature schedules, helping to save energy by adjusting the temperature when you are away from home. Smart thermostats offer additional features such as remote control via smartphone apps and learning capabilities that adapt to your preferences and schedule.
Indoor air quality is an important consideration for your comfort and health. Air conditioning systems can help improve indoor air quality by filtering out pollutants, allergens, and contaminants. Some air conditioning systems offer additional features such as UV lights or air purifiers to further enhance indoor air quality.
HVAC WARRANTIES
HVAC warranties are important to protect your investment. A reputable air conditioning company will offer warranties on their products and services, providing peace of mind and protection against any potential issues or defects. We offer 10- and 12-year parts and labor warranties on all our A/C systems.
This labor warranty covers all cost with associated with repairing your unit. Coil is leaking? Motor needs replaced. Its all covered. Most local A/C contractors offer you a 1 year labor warranty so that means 1 year and a day, You are paying for all the labor to repair that system.
Financing
We have partnered with Synchrony to offer the best financing rate in the area. Financing options, such as up to 60 months of no interest, can make purchasing a new air conditioning system more affordable and manageable. It allows you to spread out the cost over time, making it easier to budget for the expense.
SEER ratings (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) indicate the energy efficiency of an air conditioning system. Higher SEER ratings mean greater energy efficiency, resulting in lower energy consumption and utility bills. It is recommended to choose an air conditioning system with a high SEER rating to maximize energy savings.
Our service area
Our service area is from Palm Bay to Port Saint Lucie, indicating the geographical range in which our company operates and provides air conditioning services.
What we do different when installing your a/c unit
We take pride in going above and beyond to provide exceptional service and ensure your complete satisfaction. Thank you once again for considering our Bates Air and Heat for your air conditioning unit installation.
