Are You Making These 5 Costly Homeowner Mistakes?

But it’s easier (and less costly) to learn from mistakes made by others.

So, we’ve collected a list of the top 5 heating and air conditioning mistakes we see Sarasota-area homeowners make and what you can do to avoid them.

Homeowner Mistake #1: Purchasing a furnace or air conditioner that is too large (or too small)

This is one of the most common and costly mistakes we see in the Sarasota area: people purchasing an air conditioner that is either too big or too small from a home improvement store.

Air conditioners that are too small will cost more to run but thinking that bigger is always better can be a mistake, as well. A heating and air conditioning system needs to be tailored to your home’s needs. Otherwise, it won’t work as efficiently (which raises your energy bill), and you won’t get the level comfort you want.

Homeowner Mistake #2: Installing HVAC equipment on your own

Please don’t try to install your air conditioner or furnace on your own.

Installing an HVAC system requires you to work with high voltages of electricity and sometimes gas. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you can hurt yourself and/or destroy your new unit. Also, a quality installation is the most important factor in how efficiently your heating and air conditioning system operates.

It’s best to rely on a certified technician who can properly calibrate and balance your home comfort system to work at maximum efficiency.

Homeowner Mistake #3: Forgetting to call a professional for annual heating and cooling maintenance

Just because your HVAC system is working fine, does not mean it’s working as efficiently as it could be. In fact, neglecting to maintain your heating and air conditioning system will:

• Increase your energy bill
• Shorten your system’s lifespan
• Increase the frequency and cost of repairs.

Local utilities, the U.S. Department of Energy and the EPA all recommend you get your equipment tuned up once a year - your air conditioner before summer and your heater before winter.

Homeowner Mistake #4: Forgetting to change your air filter

Dirty air filters impede airflow, thus making your HVAC system work harder to cool and heat your home. This drives up your energy bill.

That’s why you should check your system’s air filter at least once a month and change it when it appears dirty. This will help keep your indoor air clean and keep dirt out of your HVAC system, extending its life.

Homeowner Mistake #5: Hiring the cheapest heating and air conditioning contractor for repairs

It’s great to compare prices between contractors of great quality but be wary of quotes that are much lower than the rest. You may be getting a company that is not licensed or insured, which means the repair most likely won’t be high quality.

And if the job isn’t done right the first time, it will cost you more money down the road to fix the problem again. Hiring a trusted, reputable air conditioning and heating company will help ensure your system gets fixed right the first time.

Want to avoid more homeowner mistakes?

Check out the rest of Cool Today’s blog for more quick tips and guides that empower you to tackle a variety of HVAC, plumbing and electrical problems.

Cool Today is the leading air conditioning company for the Sarasota area. For more information about any of our products or services, contact us online.

Posted in: Tips