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Five Things to Keep in Mind When Costing Your Commercial HVAC System

by | Mar 11, 2019 | air conditioner, Heating, HVAC

HVAC System CostYou are ready to install a new commercial HVAC system for your business. Your big question is: how much should you expect to spend? Budgeting is essential for this type of project, which can certainly end up being a substantial investment. Shopping around at various HVAC companies might be your best bet for finding the best deal. As you go about getting estimates for HVAC system cost, here are five important things to keep in mind:

 

  • A lot is going to depend on you: Don’t spend too much time searching for “average commercial HVAC installation cost” online. While Internet resources can give you a ballpark price, the fact is that every HVAC project—especially in the commercial realm—is unique. How much you end up spending is going to depend on a lot of different factors, from the size and layout of your building to whether the building already has ductwork in place. Part of what makes the costing process so valuable is that you can start finding out what the ballpark price ranges are for your project in particular.
  • You are paying for two main things: When you start getting price quotes for your HVAC system, you should see things broken down into two different categories: materials and labor. Your HVAC technician will estimate, to the best of their ability, how much it will cost them to acquire the necessary equipment and materials for your project. They will also calculate how much time they expect the project to take and multiply that number by their standard labor rate. Of course, there is still plenty of variance in these numbers. Some contractors charge lower labor rates, while some will quote you based on cheaper materials or systems than others. As you look at these numbers, think critically about why one business might be asking for more or less money than another. Always feel free to ask for further details about your quote, such as what type of hardware the HVAC company is considering for your project.
  • Price isn’t everything: To go along with the above point, it’s important to remember that HVAC system cost is not the only consideration when it comes to choosing a technician to handle your project. In fact, it’s not even the most critical consideration. It’s worth spending a little more money upfront to get a higher quality system. Better HVAC equipment might be rated for energy efficiency, which will save you money over time. Some contractors might try to keep costs down by using cheaper thermostats or system controls, but you need to question whether these controls will offer all the features you want. Comparing different HVAC companies not just based on price, but also based on factors like the equipment brands and models they choose, will give you a better sense of where the most value is.

Dust Mites in your HVAC Ducts

  • System testing should be included in your quote: You don’t complete the installation of an HVAC system just because it’s been installed. On the contrary, once installation has happened, your HVAC contractor needs to go back in and test every component of your system. As you get different quotes for HVAC installation cost, make sure they all include labor time for startup testing. Some technicians might try to save you money by skimping in this area. While it would be nice to save that money, startup testing is not a place where you want to cut corners or costs. Thorough testing is a must to ensure seamless startup and dependable performance. If the labor estimate on your quote isn’t broken down to reflect different parts of the project, ask your technician for a more detailed breakdown.
  • There is probably a reason for higher labor costs: If you notice higher (or lower) labor costs as you compare different HVAC system cost quotes, recognize that there is probably some reason for the variation. HVAC technicians require a great deal of training, certification, and knowledge to do what they do. It’s a premium job that merits a premium labor rate. Again, saving money is great, but you don’t want to entrust your project to a less skilled or less reputed technician just to save a few bucks. Instead of comparing labor costs in a vacuum, research each HVAC company and find out about their certifications, their customer reviews, and their overall industry experience. It’s worth spending a bit more for a skilled company that truly knows their stuff. A new commercial HVAC system is a big undertaking, and having that expertise on your side can provide considerable peace of mind. Research different HVAC licensing bodies to make this compare-and-contrast process easier.

Deciding on an HVAC technician to handle your commercial HVAC project is no small undertaking. In addition to dictating your HVAC installation cost, this process will also determine the design of your HVAC systems, the equipment involved in that system, and your overall confidence in that system’s ability to meet your needs. Keep the five tips above in mind to help you compare price quotes and choose the HVAC company that is best for you.

How to Limit the Costs of Air Conditioner Repair

by | Mar 16, 2017 | Air Conditioning, HVAC

How to Limit the Costs of Air Conditioner Repair

Repairing your air conditioner can be quite costly, particularly if you have never taken the time to maintain your AC unit while it was functioning normally. With appliances it is far too common to just let them run until they stop, forgetting important steps that increase longevity and allow you to get the most out of your machine. Here are several steps that can keep your air conditioner repair costs down in the event that a repair is needed.

Air Conditioner Repair

Change filters as recommended

This may differ depending on the model but neglecting filter changes is a major cost contribution to air conditioner repair. This is easily preventable by changing filters regularly. If you many pets or pet breeds who shed excessively, you may need to increase the frequency of filter changes. The more clogged your filter, the harder your A/C unit has to work, increasing the likelihood of needing air conditioner repair. The price of filters is minuscule to the cost of a failing unit.

Use the right tool for the right job

A/C units are set to cool a specific amount of space or less. Heating areas larger than intended or leaving open doors and forcing the cooling to work its way into other spaces are yet another way to overwork your air conditioner. Not only will this generally increase your cooling costs, but air conditioner repair costs will be higher as well when the overworked machine eventually fails.

Avoid the urge to DIY air conditioner repair

The DIY approach works for many things, but repairing an A/C unit is not one of them. Refrigerant leakage is a prime source of air conditioner repair needs. These chemicals are not only dangerous to you, but also the environment and potentially your neighbors depending on the proximity. HVAC repair technicians dealing with refrigerant require EPA certification for a reason. The risk of serious electrocution is a very real possibility as well. Finally, without the right tools you risk the chance of making your repair needs far worse and more expensive after a failed attempt.

Schedule annual maintenance

As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is as true for your doctor visits as it is for your air conditioning unit. A speedy maintenance visit once a year can catch problems before they require repair or replacement and save you 100s of dollars. Maintenance costs are low, a mere fraction of what air conditioner repair costs would be. Remember to always use a licensed and qualified technician for any maintenance or repairs.

Know when to repair and when to replace

A/C units do not last forever and with extremely dated models sometimes it is simply not worth the price to repair. Instead of repairing a broken or failing part every few months, it may be time to just purchase a new unit. Additionally, avoid waiting till the last minute to get repairs done. The moment your A/C begins making strange noises, that is the time to request air conditioner repair. Proper attention to early warning signs can keep your bill costs down.

Keeping air conditioner repair costs down, or ideally eliminated is the end goal of the owner of any appliance. Nothing is worse than a failing unit during the hottest days of summer. It is a good idea to get into the habit of replacing filters and scheduling a maintenance right before summer begins. Use the tips provided to reduce your likelihood of needing repairs or lowering the costs if you do end up needing them. Contact us for more information.