When it’s time to replace your air conditioning and heating system, you are naturally concerned about the cost and feel sticker shock when you see the costs. It’s the same as when you go out to replace your 10 year old car and find out that a $20,000 car in 1999 is now $30,000. If the auto dealer does a good job explaining what the car has that your old one doesn’t, then that 50% increase in price is a little easier to deal with. Better fuel mileage, handling, performance, sound systems, on board communications, air conditioners, appearance and warranty are all part of today’s new auto purchase.
With HVAC systems, many people still think it’s only about hot and cold air. In reality, the replacement of your air conditioning and heating system includes the same performance enhancements of the new car purchase. There are 2 big differences though. First, you most likely spend one half of your life in your home and the HVAC system controls the environment. Second, the investment in your HVAC system becomes part of your home’s value. Let’s look at today’s quality HVAC system and compare it to the new car features (Car-HVAC):
Fuel Mileage – Electric and Gas usage: Today’s best HVAC systems have 2 speed compressors, 2-3 levels of gas flow through the furnace (called multi-staged) and variable fan speeds all of which save you energy costs.
Handling-Air flow performance: Today’s best HVAC systems with true variable speed fan motors come on and turn off without noticeable differences in comfort. Your current system comes on at maximum speed, always with that blast of cold or hot air, which produces a surge in electrical use and also shocks the air ducts each time it happens.
Performance-Temperature, Humidity and Air Filtration: Properly designed HVAC systems not only control temperature, but they can also reduce humidity and remove particles as small as the Flu Virus from the air.*
Sound Systems-Noise: Today’s best HVAC systems are much quieter that old units, both in the furnace area and outdoor units. Less noise is always better.
On Board Communications: Today’s best HVAC systems include a communicating network of all components and can even include remote diagnosis and owner controls through telephone systems**
Appearance: There is nothing worse than a rusty outdoor unit in your yard or discolored unit in the garage/closet. Today’s best systems are galvanized for rust proofing and powder coated***
Warranty: You know the importance of this. 10 years or more is what you should expect.
As you can see, there is a lot more to think about when purchasing a new HVAC system today. It’s not just about cold and hot air anymore. It’s about comfort, health, energy savings, efficiency, quietness and technology.
• *Trane Clean Effects is a patented electronic air filtration system that has been proven to remove up to 99.98% of all breathable particles from the air as small as .1 microns. This is smaller than flu viruses, pollen, mold spores, etc.
• **Trane Comfortlink II is a communication network that connects all parts of the HVAC system together for integrated communication which allows for the ultimate performance, plus diagnostics and owner remote access through a telephone (with the telephone module)
• ***Trane uses galvanized metal which is then powder coated for appearance. Galvanizing resists rust and power coat paint is thicker and more evenly applied than spray painted. Trane warranties their products against rust and corrosion even at the oceans coastline. Most HVAC manufacturers will not cover this.
