3 Tips For Buying Your HVAC System Yourself
When many people replace their heating and air conditioning systems, they work with an HVAC contractor through the whole process. Generally, this involves buying the heating and air conditioning unit itself from the same company that does the installation. Of course, you do have the option to purchase an HVAC system yourself separately without going through a local HVAC company to make the purchase, but there are some obstacles that you'll need to be aware of first.
1. Make Sure You Understand What Type of System You're Buying
Buying a heating and air conditioning unit might be more confusing than you realize. There are gas-powered systems and electric-powered systems. There are split-systems and central units. These units all come in various sizes, too, and choosing the right size is critical if you want to avoid efficiency and general heating and cooling problems. There is a wealth of information that you can find online, so don't skip doing the research, or you might buy the wrong unit.
2. Buy an HVAC Unit from a Reputable Manufacturer
Make sure that the manufacturer of the unit that you are buying is a reputable one. Some manufacturers are known for making better-quality units than others, and it's worth the extra cash to buy a unit that will last.
3. Make Sure You're Buying from a Reputable Source
If a price seems to be too good to be true, don't ignore your gut instinct. Make sure you're buying from a reputable source, particularly if you're buying online.
4. Consider the Costs of Shipping for Your New Unit
Heating and air conditioning units are big and heavy, and shipping costs can be high if you buy online, negating any savings that you might have otherwise enjoyed. Don't wait until the last minute to check shipping and handling costs, or you might not be happy with what you find.
5. Make Sure You Still Have Your Unit Professionally Installed
Even if you can save some money by buying your HVAC equipment from the manufacturer or from a discount site online, you shouldn't try to save even more money by doing your own installation. There are many reasons why this isn't a good idea, including:
- Any warranty might be voided.
- You could get hurt while installing the unit if you don't know what you're doing.
- Failing to install the unit properly could put your house and family at risk.
- The unit won't work properly if installation isn't done the right way.
- You might be required to have a professional install your unit to get a permit in your area.
- You may not have access to the coolant that is needed to make your new air conditioning system work.