Why you should consider replacing your air conditioner in the fall

Replacing your air conditioner is probably the furthest thing from your mind once summer’s over. After all, the heat has passed. If anything, you’re concerned about making sure your heater is ready for the winter.

But, if you know you’re in the market for a new central air system, there are at least four good reasons to consider getting a new one in the fall.

Why should I replace my air conditioner at the end of the summer?

The benefits to replacing your air conditioner at the end of summer instead of the next year are:

• You’ll save money
• You’re ready for unexpected weather
• You’ll have more options
• It’s easier to schedule the work

Save money by replacing your air conditioner in the off-season

You’ll spend less money when you replace your air conditioner in the off-season. The savings come from:

• Avoiding yearly price increases
• Doing more research
• Combining with other projects

For most people, the biggest concern about a new central air conditioning system is the cost. But, it can cost you less when you invest at the end of summer or early fall.

Avoid yearly price increases

Each year, the cost of a new air conditioner goes up by six to eight percent. So, depending on what you get, you can save anywhere from around $75 to a hundred dollars.

In most cases, the more you spend, the more energy-efficient your new AC will be. When it uses less electricity, it costs you less on your monthly bills.

And, when you get into high-efficiency models, you’re also eligible for rebates through NJ Clean Energy.

We talked last week about how you can get cash back on a new heater. Well, the same applies to air conditioners.

It takes time to find the right air conditioner

Odds are, your AC will die during the hottest months of the year. After all, that’s when it’s working the hardest. And, it’s the season where you’ll want to get that cooling back up and running as soon as possible.

In Ocean City, Avalon, and other South Jersey destinations, many of the homes are rental properties or second homes.

That means a landlord is under the gun to keep a vacation rental comfortable. Or, someone down for the summer doesn’t want to be all hot and sticky for their vacation.

So, it’s tempting to choose one quickly. But, that’s not the best way to do it.

For instance, you want to make sure you’re getting a right-sized unit for your house. It’s entirely possible — and more common than you may think — that the unit you have now is too big or too small.

Either one means less comfort and bigger expenses. Wrong-sized units don’t do the job properly and break down way before they should.

It’s worth taking some time to do your homework and working with your trusted HVAC professionals to find the best one for your home.

Are you ready for an unexpected heatwave?

Sure, conventional wisdom says that the weather cools in September and doesn’t heat up until the end of May. But, as we’ve seen recently, that’s not always the case.

If you’re waiting until the spring to get a new system, you’re unprepared for a sudden bout of 90-degree weather even after the kids go back to school. The same goes for an early heatwave.

Then, you’re left with open windows and fans. Or, you shell out for an energy-sucking portable AC’s that will drive up your energy bills without working as well as a central unit.

Why replace your central air outside the busy season?

Fall is a great time to replace your air conditioner. Our backlog of summer emergency repairs and installs disappears. Now that people’s equipment isn’t under lots of stress, we can focus on tune-ups and winterization.

It’s important work, but it doesn’t take nearly as much time as repairs and emergency installs.

So, it’s much easier to schedule an installation around your schedule when you plan it after the summer. And, you won’t have to worry about extra charges for emergency priority service.

In the end, no matter what the season, you shouldn’t ignore old or failing HVAC equipment. After all, you never know if you’ll suddenly need to use it. If you’re in Ocean City, NJ, Marmora, Stone Harbor, Cape May Township, or anywhere along the Jersey Shore, give Broadley’s a call!

We’ve been serving South Jersey for nearly a century. Starting with a free consultation, we’ll make sure your home is ready for whatever weather is coming up.