3 Questions To Ask When Replacing Your AC System

Not only is it essential for keeping your home and family cool during the warmer seasons, but air conditioning is also important for conditioning the air. Without a system that works properly, you will not only experience excessively high temperatures in the house, but you may also be living with high levels of humidity, allergies, and even mold growth. Therefore, replacing your system once it is in severe distress is smart. This guide will give you a few questions to ask your residential air conditioning services contractor when replacing your AC system.

Which Options Will Be Most Efficient?

You should want a new system to work effectively, but you should also want it to work efficiently, especially since half of your home's total energy usage stems from heating and cooling. Be sure to ask your contractor which options are best if you want to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, should be a top concern when selecting a new system for your home. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the system will be.

Are Tax Credits Available?

Replacing your AC system has many benefits including improving your comfort level, air quality, and the overall energy efficiency of your home. However, potential tax credits are also a benefit to consider.

Before you choose a specific system for your home, ask the contractor if it will qualify for a tax credit. In most cases, qualifying systems must have the highest energy efficiency rating possible to qualify for this credit.

It is also important to note that the new system should be installed in your primary residence, meaning you will not qualify for the tax credit if you are replacing an AC system in a rental or vacation property.

Tax credits for qualifying AC systems may not be large, but they can be helpful in reducing the total cost of the large investment you are making in a new air conditioning system.

Should Ductwork Be Replaced, Too?

When most homeowners think about their AC systems, they think of the outdoor units and maybe even the thermostat. In reality, an AC system consists of many components and the ductwork is a key component of moving and conditioning your home's air.

Over time, the ductwork does deteriorate, allowing air to escape, which can affect the system's function and efficiency. If your ductwork is 15 years of age or older, consider replacing it because it is more than likely in a good amount of distress.