Save money on your next home air conditioning system

If your home’s air conditioning system is more than 15 years old, you should consider replacing it. This is why:

~ Newer air conditioning systems are typically 30 percent more efficient than mid-’90s models, lowering operating costs (SEER rating, typically 13 or higher)
~ Newer systems use environmentally friendly R-410a refrigerant instead of the older R-22 freon refrigerant
~ Systems manufactured since 2000 have higher reliability than older systems

The average homeowner may see a need for a newer air conditioning system, but may feel at a disadvantage when dealing with contractors. That sentiment is understandable, since air conditioning terminology is complex and contractors use a hard sell approach once they’re on your property. However, you can get ahead of them by taking just a few steps.

First, Keep in mind that air conditioning systems typically consist of only four subsystems: the outdoor compressor, indoor evaporator, air handler (blower), and thermostat. The compressor and evaporator are often referred to as “coils” and are always replaced as a matched set. Your current furnace has a vent system that will work fine with the interior evaporator, as long as the furnace and evaporator are located in the same location.

Second, you can request written estimates from a dozen contractors without them visiting your home and taking your time. Simply prepare a “Request for Estimate” and mail it to the contractors (check the yellow pages for addresses). The budget request must include the following:

~ Your full name, address and phone number
~ The make, model and serial number of the outdoor compressor
~ The make, model and serial number of the indoor evaporator
~ The measurements (LxWxH) of the evaporator box
~ A statement that you acknowledge that the mail-in estimates are only preliminary and that a final contract will not be signed until the contractor performs an on-site inspection

Of the dozen requests he mails, five or six will go unanswered, usually because contractors insist on a home inspection before providing estimates. Others, however, will respond promptly, giving you an opportunity to compare costs.

I recently replaced 25 year old compressor and evaporator units in my Northern Virginia home, and used the process above to determine which replacement system was the most cost effective. I specified that I wanted a 13 seer, 3 ton unit. Here are the results:

$5294, maker “T”
$4,005 maker “T”
$3840, maker “T”
$3,590, manufacturer “T” with discount for seniors
$3210, manufacturer “C”
$1,975, manufacturer “G”

(the remaining six contractors did not respond)

I chose the “G” system, of course. Also, I determined that the internal working parts used in “C” and “G” were identical; in fact, they came from the same assembly line. The “G” system is sometimes called “contractor grade” but it works perfectly and is quiet – it only has a noise rating of 74 db. Plus, it comes with a 10-year warranty.

So if you have an old air conditioning system in your home, consider replacing it now, before it breaks down. If you get your new system in the spring or fall, you’ll get fast service; however, if you wait until mid-summer, you may have to wait days or weeks to get a new unit.