Does your local HVAC contractor offer financing?
Worried about the cost of a new air conditioner or heat pump? Luckily, many contractors offer financing that can help make your new system a reality. Financing is a great way to get the efficient air conditioner you want. When it comes to heating and cooling equipment, it always pays to invest in efficiency. With financing, an efficient HVAC system may not feel as out of reach.
Financing options will vary based on your contractor. Make sure you talk to your contractor about the financing options they offer at the beginning of the buying process.
Maytag HVAC offers several different financing options for homeowners in both the United States and Canada.
Homeowners in the United States have the options of Comfort Plus or FTL Financing.
Comfort Plus is a credit card issued by Synchrony Bank. You can apply this financing to the purchase of new systems and the cost of installation.
FLT Finance offers an HVAC installment loan with a fixed interest rate and fixed terms. You will always know your monthly payment and how long it will last – depending on the terms that you choose. You can apply this financing to air conditioners, heat pumps, and more.
Canadian homeowners may be eligible for EcoHome financing.
EcoHome offers financing options that can suit your budget and lifestyle. It features competitive interest rates, deferred payments and zero interest options.
Remember, not all contractors offer financing. You can use the Maytag HVAC contractor locator to find a professional who does offer financing in your area.
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Are you looking for some answers to your heating and cooling questions?
Buying a new air conditioner, heat pump or gas furnace is not something you are going to have to do often. In fact, air conditioners and heat pumps last around 15 years, while a gas furnace may last up to 20 years! During that time, there are many technological advancements, regulation changes, etc.
That’s why so many questions arise when replacement time does roll around. Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked HVAC questions.
Who can I call to work on my heating and cooling equipment?
When it comes to an air conditioner, gas furnace, heat pump, or any other type of HVAC system, you should ALWAYS call a professional for service, maintenance or installation. Heating and air conditioning equipment requires training, skill and knowledge in order to properly service. It isn’t ajob for the average “Mr. Fix-It.”
Who is responsible for registering my unit?
Most heating and air conditioning manufacturers require product registration for full warranty coverage. A lot of the times, a contractor will register your unit for you. But, ultimately it is up to you to make sure your system is registered. Make sure you ask your contractor whether you are responsible for registering your new HVAC system.
I am looking for technical support, who should I call?
If you think something is wrong with your system, and you are tempted to fix it yourself…stop right there! Heating and air conditioning equipment isn’t something that just anyone can fix. They are complicated pieces of equipment that require skill in order to repair and service. Drop the wrench, pick up the phone and call your local contractor.
Do companies sell HVAC parts directly to homeowners?
While policies may differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, Maytag HVAC does not supply parts directly to homeowners.
How much is an air conditioner?
Each air conditioner installation is unique. Therefore, there is no way to give an accurate price for your specific cooling system needs. A lot will depend on the state of your current central air system, which system you choose, how efficient the unit is, etc. To get an accurate picture of the price of your new air conditioner, contact your local heating and air conditioning contractor.
Do I need preventative maintenance?
Preventative maintenance is crucial for continued optimal HVAC performance. It is a good idea to schedule preventative maintenance twice a year – once before the cooling season and again before the heating season. Maintenance may even be a part of your warranty agreement!
Do you have any other HVAC questions?
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Did you recently buy an air conditioner?
Want to make sure you are getting the best deal possible on your brand-new air conditioner? Consider the various cost-cutting rebates and incentives offered in your area. There are plenty of incentives for buying high-efficiency heating and air conditioning equipment, and they are fairly simple to look for – you don’t even have to leave your computer!
There’s no denying it, replacing your old air conditioner was most likely expensive. But with cost-cutting rebates and incentives, the additional bonus of efficient performance, it is a worthwhile investment. Local HVAC rebates provide hundreds of dollars for all the energy-efficiency improvements you can make to your home – whether you added a zoning system or upgraded to an ENERGY STAR-certified model.
Here are the ways you can look up your local utility rebates online.
For homeowners in the United States:
For homeowners in Canada:
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/corporate/statistics/neud/dpa/policy_e/programs.cfm
Don’t forget to ask your HVAC contractor about other cost-cutting promotions they may be offering at the time you buy your new air conditioner.
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How old is your air conditioner?
There comes a time in the life of an air conditioner when it is no longer cost-effective to continue making repairs. Although a new system can be expensive, you could be paying more to cool your home monthly with an old air conditioner, AND you could wind up spending more money fixing a system that is just going to break down sooner rather than later.
If your air conditioner meets one or more of the following criteria, it may be time to replace it instead of making a repair.
- Your air conditioner is over 10 years old.
- It is a costly repair involving a major component of the unit.
- Your system needs to be charged with R-22 refrigerant.
- Your air conditioner is under 13 SEER.
- You have made multiple repairs recently.
- You’re not planning on moving anytime soon.
- The cost of repair is more than half the cost of a new system.
Plus, there are so many benefits to investing in a new air conditioner. New air conditioners are more efficient and provide greater home comfort than air conditioners produced 10 years ago. In fact, even a standard-efficiency replacement can be a significant upgrade from an older unit.
Before you decide to replace your air conditioner, make sure you consult a local HVAC contractor. They will be able to give you more advice on whether to repair or replace your air conditioner.
Are you thinking of investing in a new air conditioner?
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Do you know what new air conditioners offer that old air conditioners don’t?
Many industries have taken extraordinary technological leaps and bounds over the past few decades. The heating and air conditioning industry is no different. Buying a new air conditioner or gas furnace isn’t something you do every day. The old unit in your home could be 10 to 20 years old! Heck, you may not have even purchased an air conditioner before. Not only could you be paying more for cool air if you have an old system, your home may not be as comfortable.
Here are some technological advances that make a new air conditioner so much better than older models.
- Smart thermostats. Okay, you don’t necessarily need a new air conditioner to have a smart thermostat, but you won’t be getting all the benefits that a smart thermostat offers. It’s like getting expensive rims for an old beater car.
- Modulating technology. Some of the most efficient air conditioners use modulation technology. These air conditioners reach staggering levels of efficiency, maintain more even temperatures and save you money on monthly utility expenses.
- Multiple stages of operation. However, you don’t have to invest in a modulating system to enjoy high-efficiency performance. Many models operate in more than one stage of operation. This also improves energy-efficiency and increases home comfort.
- Eco-friendly refrigerant. The type of refrigerant used in heating and cooling systems has changed over the years. Today, the industry standard is R-410A refrigerant. Your older system may use R-22 – a refrigerant that has been phased out. As we get further and further away from the phase-out date, this refrigerant is going to become more and more expensive as supply dwindles.
- Variable-speed air distribution. Variable-speed technology increases home comfort. The unit will be able to vary air distribution speeds to improve home comfort and maintain more even temperatures throughout your home.
The air conditioner in your home may have been “cutting-edge” in its day, but time moves on. Remember, even a new. standard-efficiency air conditioner can be a significant improvement over efficient systems from 10 or 15 years ago. Make sure you talk to your contractor about your cooling system options.
Are you considering a new air conditioner?
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Are you paying attention to how you’re operating your air conditioner?
Buying a new air conditioner is an investment. If you buy high-efficiency equipment, you are investing in years of money-saving performance. You are also investing in your home comfort. Maximizing that investment is crucial.
Do you want to maximize the lifespan of your unit? There are a few things that you should stop doing. These things can harm your air conditioner, maximize lifespan, reduce efficiency and diminish home comfort.
STOP…forgetting to change your furnace filter.
A dirty filter restricts airflow. This means that your air conditioner has to work harder to cool your home – reducing efficiency and decreasing lifespan.
STOP…putting off annual preventative maintenance.
We are already well into the cooling season, so the time for preventative maintenance this year has passed. However, pencil in a reminder for next year. Many manufacturers actually require preventative maintenance for full warranty coverage.
STOP…planting things too close to your unit.
Your outdoor air conditioning component needs “room to breathe” so to speak. When you plant too close to your air conditioner, it can restrict airflow. Plus, plants may GROW INTO your air conditioner, damaging important components.
STOP…constantly adjusting your non-programmable thermostat.
Programmable thermostats are nifty because they do the thinking/adjustments for you. If you are constantly adjusting your non-programmable thermostat, your unit could be going through frequent on/off cycles – consuming more energy and reducing system lifespan.
STOP…drastically dropping the temperature to cool your home more quickly.
Did you know that just because your thermostat is set at a lower temperature, ti does not mean your home is going to get cooler more quickly? Your air conditioner will simply run longer. If it feels like your home is never at the right temperature, you may want to talk to your contractor about zoning or making sure your air conditioner is the correct size for your home.
STOP…forgetting to schedule a cleaning appointment for your air conditioner and ductwork.
Like a dirty furnace filter or plants too close to your air conditioner, dirt and grime around your unit and in your ductowork can restrict airflow – reducing efficiency and decreasing system life. Plus, cleaning your air distribution system is important for indoor air quality.
Are you guilty of any of the above? If you need some more cooling system advice, turn to your local contractor.
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Did you know that air conditioners come in different sizes?
There are a lot of options when it comes to heating and cooling equipment. You have a choice of efficiency, system type, comfort features…you name it! Air conditioners even come in different sizes. HOWEVER, do you have a choice when it comes to the air conditioner in your home?
Your home is unique; your comfort needs are unique – the size of your air conditioner will reflect this. It is important to have a properly sized air conditioner. Your heating and cooling contractor must come in and do a load calculation to determine the right size air conditioner for your home.
If your HVAC system is too large, it will run for less time. While this may sound like a good thing…it isn’t. Your air conditioner could be going through costly on/off cycles. It is more efficient to run your air conditioner longer at a lower capacity. Plus, if your air conditioner is not running long enough, your system may not be properly dehumidifying your home. This can lead to mold growth and poor overall indoor air quality. That’s not even to mention the negative impact a large air conditioner can have on home comfort.
If your HVAC system is too small, it will run longer at a higher capacity. This will raise electricity bills, AND your home may never reach your desired comfort levels.
Longer run times and more frequent on/off cycles can reduce efficiency and system lifespan! Your air conditioner is an investment in home comfort. You want that investment to pay off over the years.
This is why we consider quotes over the phone or on the back of a business card a red flag. Since your home is unique, your contractor should always come out to your home and perform a Manual J load calculation before determining the equipment you need in your home.
Did your contractor perform a Manual J load calculation when you had your air conditioner installed?
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Do you close the registers in rooms that do not need cool air during the summer?
It may sound intuitive – if a room doesn’t need cool air, why waste the energy dollars trying to keep that room cool? However, it’s not that straightforward. Heating and cooling equipment is complicated. Sometimes what you think is a good idea, may not be.
It is not a good idea to control the temperatures of your rooms by closing registers. Why is that? Well, your HVAC system is designed to heat and cool a certain amount of space. When you start messing with the registers, it affects that amount of space. Closing registers has the same affect that a dirty filter has; it raises the pressure in your system.
If you have a variable-speed motor, this can cause it to operate at a higher capacity for longer periods of time – essentially negating any of the efficiency benefits gained by investing in variable-speed equipment. If you have a single-speed motor, it may not be able to maintain proper airflow. Low airflow = low comfort levels.
And, those are just the problems that occur at the surface. The increased pressure also has additional consequences for other parts of your HVAC system. It could increase duct leakage – lowering comfort and raising utility bills. Or, even worse, you could wind up with a frozen coil or a broken compressor – two CRUCIAL cooling components.
All is not lost though. There are intuitive heating and air conditioning systems that do allow you to control comfort from room to room. It’s called a zoning system. Make sure you ask your HVAC contractor about your zoning options.
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How much do you know about indoor air quality products?
If you’re in the market for a new air conditioner, you’ve probably run across the acronym “IAQ.” IAQ stands for “Indoor Air Quality.” These are the components of your heating and air conditioning system that seek to improve just that – the quality of your indoor air.
The most obvious, and arguably most important part of your indoor air quality system is your furnace filter. It is your main defense against indoor air particles that can lower indoor air quality. But, there are other, less obvious, indoor air quality additions you can add to your home. Let’s take a look at them one-by-one.
Whole-Home Humidifier or Dehumidifiers
Do you know how humidity can affect home comfort? A home that has higher humidity is going to feel warmer than one at a lower humidity level. During the summer, it can be a good idea to lower the humidity level of your home to make it feel cooler and potentially lower the strain on your air conditioner.
UV Light Systems
These products can add extra protection against indoor air pollutants. But, UV light systems do more than just block pollutants – they use the UV light spectrum to eliminate bacteria and viruses from your indoor air. This keeps you and your family healthier. And, they can eliminate unpleasant odors.
Air Cleaners
Polluted indoor air has been cited for the EPA as one of the main threats to human health. Air cleaners, like a media air cleaner, block pollutants and allergens present in the air before they enter your duct system.
Temperature Control Systems
We can’t talk about indoor air quality without mentioning thermostats. Thermostats are the “central command” of your heating and cooling system. This is the component that alerts your air conditioner or gas furnace when you need heating or cooling power.
Are you having a new air conditioner installed before the start of the cooling season? Make sure you talk to your local contractor about indoor air quality system options.
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Do you have a disposable or permanent filter in your home?
Your HVAC air filter is an important aspect of your HVAC system. Here’s a scary fact…your indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air! Indoors, you have to contend with chemicals from cleaners, pet dander, dust, allergens and more! You want to make sure that the filter you have in your home is going to filter out those particles without restricting airflow.
There are two basic filter categories in the heating and cooling industry – disposable and permanent.
Disposable filters are filters that are placed somewhere within your air distribution system that help filter out harmful particles from the air that is distributed around your home. They come in a variety of filtration levels – the more filtration power a filter has, the smaller the particles that filter can remove from the air. Disposable filters must be changed regularly to avoid restricting airflow. At the very least, you must change your disposable filter once a season. Even better? Once a month.
Permanent/washable filters are the other type of filter. These aren’t the type of filter that you use, replace and throw away. With a permanent filter, you must wash your filter regularly. If you do not wash it, the filter will restrict airflow and make your unit work harder to heat or cool your home. When you do clean your permanent filter, it is important to take it outside – you don’t want to reintroduce those particles into your indoor air.
Regularly changing or cleaning your furnace filter is important for the performance and lifespan of your heating and air conditioning equipment. Without frequent filter changes or cleanings, the particles trapped in your filter can block airflow and force your equipment to work harder to heat or cool your home. This can put a strain on your equipment and result in decreased efficiency and shorter-than-expected lifespans.
Most contractors recommend using disposable filters in heating and air conditioning systems. However, always consult with your contractor before you make a decision.
Do you know which type you have in your home?