Saying goodbye isn’t easy to begin with, but the unexpected demise of your HVAC system often leads to a tough decision. It’s now time to replace it, and questions you never thought you’d have to answer are knocking at the door.
What are the options for replacement?
How am I going to pay for this?
Who should I call?
For a local, family-owned HVAC company that has been around for more than 35 years like Rostron Premium Home Services, things can easily be broken down. Check out these steps to get the ball rolling.
Organizing Your Priorities
Whether an HVAC technician just deemed your system unrepairable or you’re planning ahead, it’s important to think about what’s important to you and your Jersey Shore home. For heating and cooling systems, priorities can be broken down into three categories:
PRICE
The cost of living in New Jersey and beyond has skyrocketed over the last few years. For that reason, the price of replacing your HVAC system is likely on your mind. For most, the thought of putting out thousands of dollars for even the most basic system is enough to turn your stomach.
COMFORT
Are there areas of your home that are too hot or cold to enjoy? Sure, single- and triple-digit temperatures will leave your system struggling to keep up, but you should be able to be comfortable in your own home during milder and even substantially hot or cold temperatures.
FEATURES
Dreaming of a WiFi thermostat that would allow you to control your system from your phone? Does your current system rock the whole Jersey Shore when it kicks on? Is eco-friendliness on the docket? Take the time to choose what’s important to you so you’re not regretting it later!
Have an open conversation between all decision-makers prior to meeting with any estimators or project managers. When presented with multiple options, it’ll be much easier to narrow it down.
Selecting Your Provider
Once you’ve identified your priorities, your next step is to find a company that can offer a squeaky-clean install and meet your needs when it comes to price, comfort, and features. There are so many though…who should you pick?
IS FINANCING IMPORTANT?
In this day and age, most homeowners don’t have thousands of dollars lying around to spend on their HVAC systems. If your wallet is anything like mine, the moths have fully moved in and made themselves comfortable. From groceries to utility bills, the Jersey Shore has become a difficult place to live. A
company that offers financing is the solution you’re looking for!
TRUTH IN REVIEWS
There isn’t an easy way to fake reviews on Google, Yelp, or other locations online. When searching for the right provider, take the time to read their reviews. Regardless of whether or not they spend millions of dollars on marketing, you can be sure your Jersey Shore home is in good hands.
TRANSPARENCY AND RESPONSIVENESS
Bad vibes and feelings are red flags, no sugarcoating it. You’ll need a team that you can count on, ranging from the office staff to the project managers, from the installers to the service technicians. Your project manager should take the time to ensure you understand the options and what the install will
look like in your home. If you feel like you’re getting the runaround before you’ve even selected the company for the install, proceed with caution. If they’re not responsive at that point in the process, what happens if there’s a problem?
In our experience, picking the right company for your install is a balancing act. All throughout New Jersey, small HVAC companies are being gobbled up by corporations that are only concerned with making money. Avoiding them while also sifting through the truly small providers that are unable to offer the structure needed for such a project can be challenging.
Understanding the Install
As a local, family-owned HVAC company at the Jersey Shore, we’ve seen our fair share of things that should’ve been done correctly. While there are only so many options, even the savviest of homeowners can find themselves confused. Check out these frequently asked questions:
WHAT’S REALLY INCLUDED?
That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Components you might think would be included with an install, like a condensate pump or a drain pan, may be included by one company but not another. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, it might save you a headache in the end!
DOES BRAND MATTER?
Coming from a company that has worked with different manufacturers over the years, Rostron Premium Home Services doesn’t think it makes a huge difference. Most brands will offer similar warranties and coverage, as well as an array of options varying from extremely basic to top-of-the-line. That being said, all brands will have bad equipment from time to time as well. At the end of the day, selecting a proper provider is more important than the brand of the equipment.
HOW IMPORTANT IS EFFICIENCY?
If your system is more than ten years old, it’s unlikely that you’d get a less efficient system offered to you. However, understanding efficiency ratings can unlock rebates and special financing as well as save you money on your energy bills. Take a look into SEER for air conditioning and HSPF (expressed as a percentage). As a rule of thumb, the higher the number is, the less energy your unit needs to operate.
Saying Goodbye Can Be Tough…
…but Rostron Premium Home Services works hard to make the process as easy as possible. Offering premium heating, cooling, plumbing and electric services to Monmouth and Ocean Counties in New Jersey, we are always ready to help. Give us a call at 732-223-8221 or fill out a form, right here on our website. We look forward to hearing from you!
