Top 5 Things to Consider When Purchasing an Air Conditioner Near 78732, Austin - Texas

With the iconic scenery of the cascading rivers, sprawling hills and humid climate, living close to 78732 Austin-Texas has its perks. But while the area brings with it a plethora of outdoor activities, it brings with it slews of humidity and soaring temperatures. Homeowners in the area must come to terms with an air conditioning unit if they wish to comfortably pass through the summer heat. There are hundreds of AC units available for sale in the area, but there are a few aspects to consider before making a purchase.

1. Type

One of the first things to consider when looking into purchasing an AC unit is the type. Depending on the size of your home and the climate conditions, the type of AC unit you need to purchase would differ. Most homes will benefit from the ubiquitous Central Air Conditioning (CAC) system, with its ducts that offer cooling to every corner of your home. However, if your home simply has one or two rooms, installing a smaller Wall Mounted AC might be the better option.

Apart from CAC and Wall Mounted ACs, you have Window Units and Packaged ACs. The former is quite cost-effective and needs to be fixed into a single window. On the other hand, the Packaged AC is a smidge more expensive but can be placed easily on rooftops and provide cooling to multiple parts of the house simultaneously.

2. Features

Another aspect to consider is the features that you need. Depending on the manufacturer and model, AC units will come with various bells and whistles. For instance, some AC units come with thermostats that allow intelligent temperature management or air purifiers that remove indoor allergens and pollutants. Filtered air does a great job of keeping the family healthy and cozy. Apart from these, you could also look at the AC having an energy-star rating, which ensures the AC is energy-efficient and consumes less electricity. It helps ensure you are not paying a hefty electricity bill at the end of the month.

3. Size

It is essential to purchase the correct size of the AC unit. Too small a unit will be inefficient while bigger units will overload your house wiring and electrical components. Depending on your house size and the climate in your area, the needed size of the AC unit varies. A smaller unit might be just fine for apartments that are one thousand feet squared while larger units are needed for homes that go beyond four thousand feet squared.

It is highly recommended to seek the help of a professional to work out the needed size of the ideal AC unit for your house. There are several available in the area and they usually cost a nominal fee that's well worth the investment considering all the money you'd save from having to purchase the wrong size and then correcting that.

4. Cost

Apart from size and type, it is important to consider the cost of the unit that you're looking at. Depending on the features and efficiency, AC units can vary in prices drastically. The price of a large efficient AC unit could easily spiral to $5000 while a basic window AC unit will cost around $400. It is important to compare different prices and models that are giving similar efficiency and features.

In addition to the cost of the AC unit, there is also the installation cost. This cost depends on the complexity of the installation, the size of the unit, and the type. Homeowners should also consider the periodic maintenance cost required to ensure the unit stays in top form.

5. Warranty

Lastly, it is important to consider the warranty of the unit. Depending on the amount you're willing to invest, the period of warranty will vary. Most standard AC units come with a one year period and a five year period of limited warranties. During this period, you would be able to get the unit serviced free of cost in case of malfunctions. However, it's important to look for longer warranty periods on premium AC units.

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