Heating and air conditioning equipment is an important investment.
When you start to add up all the different heating and air conditioning costs – from equipment purchase to installation to maintenance services – you might feel like your heart needs to be shocked back into a natural rhythm. The thing is, these expenses are something that most homeowners have to find a way to afford. And it’s not always a walk in the park.
Consider these tips for finding the right HVAC system for your home:
Think Big Picture
Luckily, there are resources available to qualifying homeowners to help fund their HVAC system. Be a smart shopper and stay on the lookout for financing offers and special promotions. This is generally a 15-20 year investment, so make sure you have a long-term perspective on the costs to keep an efficient system operating for that long.
Shop Smarter
Do the research and find out what size of system is most cost efficient for your living space. Smaller bungalows and single story homes will not need the heating and cooling power that larger homes will. Take your climate into account – hot summers and cold winters respectively mean more expensive annual costs. Going into your purchase with a solid maintenance plan to protect your home and investment will save more money in the long run.
Financing Options
There are programs available through manufacturers that allow prospective buyers to get a line of credit for their purchase, but interest rates can sometimes be extremely high with these offers. The FHA also offers loans for home improvement, and HVAC purchases or upgrades generally fall into this qualifying category.