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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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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Worried about the cost of a new air conditioner?
There are no two ways about it – investing in a new heating and cooling system does require a chunk of change. However, there are plenty of rebates and incentives that can ease the cost burden of investing in a new air conditioner.
Manufacturer Rebate
During various times of the year, HVAC manufacturers offer rebates on high-efficiency equipment. Make sure you talk with your contractor to see if your new system qualifies.
Local Utility Rebates
Homeowners in both the United States and Canada may qualify for local rebates. Search the DSIRE database if you are in the United States or the National Energy Use Database if you are in Canada.
Tax Credits
Did you recently have an HVAC system installed? If your system was installed before December 31, 2016, and you live in the United States, your new equipment may have qualified for a tax credit. Did you make sure to check that out when you filed your 2016 taxes?
Contractor Promotions / Financing
Still need a little help affording that new system? Many contractors participate in financing programs that can make a new high-efficiency HVAC system more attainable. Plus, your local contractor may run different promotions through the year.
Remember, it pays to invest in efficiency. Not only will a more efficient air conditioner qualify for more incentives, it can also help you save money over the life of the system (in smaller utility bills). Make sure you do some research when finding your local HVAC contractor. If you think it’s expensive to hire a quality contractor, you should try hiring one that ISN’T fully qualified to install your equipment.
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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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How much do you know about your thermostat?
Do you pay attention to your thermostat? Like the rest of your HVAC system, it’s something that you probably don’t think about all too much…until it stops working. Your thermostat is the brains of the operation. It sends signals to your heating and cooling equipment when your home is either too hot or too cold. When something goes wrong with those signals, it can negatively impact home comfort.
Do you know which type of thermostat you have in your home? Here are some things you should know about two types of thermostats – non-programmable and programmable.
Non-programmable thermostats…
- Base models
- Compatible with different equipment
A non-programmable thermostat is your standard, straightforward thermostat solution. It can be digital or analog, and is compatible with different types of equipment. If you have a non-programmable thermostat, make sure you are not making constant adjustments. This could result in longer air conditioner run times and higher utility bills. Make sure you talk to your contractor about the right model for your home.
Programmable thermostats…
- Set your temperature preferences based on your schedule
- Customizable home comfort
- Compatible with different equipment
A programmable thermostat does what its non-programmable counterpart can’t do – deliver customized comfort control. This ability to customize your home comfort allows you to save money. You won’t waste cooling dollars on an empty home. Like a non-programmable model, a programmable thermostat must be correctly matched with your equipment. Make sure you consult your local HVAC professional before you choose a thermostat.
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Did you know that cooling costs comprise over HALF of your monthly utilities during the summer?
Cooling your home can be expensive. And cooling your home with an old, inefficient air conditioner is even MORE expensive. With summer only a few weeks away, now is the time to invest in a new air conditioner. Things are already starting to heat up!
The most important thing to keep in mind while you are searching for a new air conditioner is efficiency ratings. Air conditioner efficiency, measured in SEER, is going to determine just how much money you drop out-of-pocket cooling your home month after month.
SEER stands for the “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ration” and is a measure of cooling efficiency over a season of use. This measurement is used for both air conditioners and heat pumps – the higher the SEER, the more efficient the system.
Air conditioners must be at least 13 SEER (in northern states) and 14 SEER (for states in the South). Heat pumps must be 14 SEER everywhere. If you are looking for a high-efficiency model, check out models that have an ENERGY STAR designation. These models go above-and-beyond standard efficiency. However, even a standard-efficiency model can be a significant upgrade from your old air conditioner in terms of efficiency and performance features.
When it comes to selecting a new air conditioner, you should always invest in the most efficient air conditioner you can afford. Although upfront costs for a high-efficiency air conditioner are going to be higher than a standard-efficiency equivalent, the unit may pay for itself over the course of its life in energy-saving performance.
Before you choose an air conditioner or heat pump from your home, make sure you schedule an appointment with your local HVAC contractor.
How efficient is the air conditioner in your home?
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Are you worried about high summer utility bills?
Nobody likes receiving a high electric bill. Unfortunately, electric bills tend to soar during the summer due to increased cooling demand. Did you know that cooling your home can make up to 60% of your utility bills expenses during the summer?? That’s a significant chunk of change.
Luckily, there are some things you can do to lessen the impact the cooling season has on your wallet. Small adjustments can make a big difference when it comes to your electric bill.
Here are some things you may be doing around your home that could raise utility bills. Quit doing these things and you could potentially save money this summer.
Do you have a non-programmable thermostat? Make sure after you set up the temperature you don’t mess with it. Making constant adjustments to your non-programmable thermostat can raise utility bills. Plus, a thermostat set at a lower temperature WON’T actually cool your home more quickly – it will just make your air conditioner run longer.
In or out? Constantly opening and closing exterior doors can let your cool, conditioned air escape your home. Make sure that you and your family aren’t constantly going in and out of the house.
And speaking of the outside air… It may be tempting to open the windows and doors, but it is not a good idea. Not only does it let unfiltered air into your home, but it also results in costly air leaks. Remember, it’s not your job to cool the neighborhood.
When was the last time you changed your furnace filter? A dirty furnace filter lowers indoor air quality and can restrict airflow. When airflow is restricted, your air conditioner is going to have to work harder to keep your home cool – raising utility bills and lowering home comfort. An overworked air conditioner will also have a shorter lifespan than the same air conditioner operating at optimal performance levels.
Not using a room? DO NOT close the registers or vents in that room. Although it seems like it makes sense to shut off access to rooms that do not need conditioned air, this can actually harm your air conditioner and result in higher bills. If you are looking for customized comfort control, a zoning system is the better option. Remember, your air conditioner and ductwork are sized to heat or cool a certain amount of space. When you mess with those calculations, you mess with performance.
Have you scheduled preventative maintenance? As summer draws nearer and nearer, it is more important than ever to make sure you have scheduled preventative maintenance for your air conditioning system. Your contractor will make sure that your air conditioner is working at peak performance levels, AND they can catch any minor issues before they become big problems.
Are you ready to tackle the summer heat? Are there any other things you do during the summer to lower utility bills?
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Could your home benefit from a zoning system?
We’ve been talking about airflow a lot. That’s because it is so important when it comes to efficiency and comfort. Unfortunately, it can be hard to get every single part of your home at its ideal temperature setting. This can lead to the temptation to do things like fiddle with the thermostat daily, or close vents. However, there’s an easier, whole-home solution – a zoning system.
A zoning system goes into your ductwork and is able to control the amount of air delivered to specific areas of your home. When a contractor installs a zoning system, they group your home by room or groups of rooms – each controlled by their own thermostat. This way, if you have a room that gets warmer than another, or you like it set a different temperature, just the right amount of heating or cooling power will be devoted to that area of your home. For example, if you like to sleep in a cool bedroom, you can have that room on a separate zone and set it to a cooler temperature than the rest of the house at night.
Zoning systems are a particularly good solution for homes that have multiple stories. Upper floors may become too warm at certain times during the year, while lower floors may be too cool at other points. If you put your upper story in a separate zone, you can even out the temperatures in your home.
In summary, a zoning system can…
- Decrease your utility bill spending
- Maximize home comfort through customized controls
Make sure the contractor you hire is qualified to install and service these specific systems. Are you interested in a zoning system?
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Do you have to replace your air conditioner before summer starts?
Maybe something came up during preventative maintenance… Maybe your bills have skyrocketed… Maybe you turned on the system only to find it blowing HOT air… Whatever the reason, replacing an air conditioner is an important investment.
The air conditioner you choose today is going to be with you for the next 10-15 years (on average). Because HVAC equipment is such an infrequent purchase, homeowners may feel lost when they embark on the purchasing journey.
Here are some things to help you through the buying process.
Everything rests on the shoulders of the contractor you choose… so choose well. Often, the efficiency and performance of your air conditioner is determined by the quality of the install. The average “Joe” is not going to be able to effectively install your air conditioner. Make sure the contractor you choose comes out to your home BEFORE giving you a quote – no pricing on the back of a business card or over the phone. Make sure they ask a lot of questions. After all, how are they going to know what you want if they don’t ask? Lastly, make sure they are up-to-date on training, licenses and permits. You want the job done right the first time. If you think hiring a qualified contractor is expensive, just see how much is costs to hire one who cuts corners.
Explore your efficiency options. A good rule-of-thumb is to invest in the most efficiency you can afford. Luckily, air conditioners come in a range of efficiencies that can fit any budget or need. A more efficient unit is going to be more expensive up front, but it may pay for itself over the course of its life.
Find out if you have an air conditioner or heat pump. Heat pumps can provide electric heating capabilities in addition to electric cooling. This can make it a great option for those nights when an air conditioner would have to tap into backup heat to keep a home comfortable. Ask your contractor what is popular in your area.
Make sure you ask your contractor whether they register your warranty, or whether it is up to you to register your warranty. Most HVAC manufacturers require product registration for their long parts warranties. It is a simple step, but one that is frequently overlooked.
Are you ready to buy your new air conditioner? Find a qualified local contractor and the rest should be a breeze.