Central Heater and Air Conditioner Buying Guide – Tips for Buying

An HVAC system is a big investment for your home. Check out this furnace, heat pump, and central air conditioner buying guide to learn about the essential factors to consider when buying equipment.

What is the most important decision you will have to make regarding a new furnace or air conditioner? Price? Equipment brand? Installation date? No – these are important, but the single most important decision is “who will you select to install the system & provide on-going service and warranty support for years to come.” Below are things you should do when choosing an installation contractor:

• Schedule an estimator to come to your home. There should be no cost, no pressure and no obligation. All reputable contractors will require an inspection of your home – never make your decision based on phone “bids”.
• Obtain a written proposal. Eliminate companies that write their “special price” on the back of a business card. If a company takes shortcuts with your proposal, they will take shortcuts on the installation too. The proposal should include a detailed description of work to be done, warranties, prices, etc. Make sure the proposal shows the company’s license number and includes a clause that says “contractor will obtain all required permits & inspections” and “lead installer will be licensed.” Insist on sales brochures. Request prices on many different options – 80% & 90% furnace, 2-stage furnace, variable speed blower, 12 & 14 Seer air conditioner, programmable thermostat, humidifier, electronic air cleaner, hi-efficiency air filter, duct cleaning, attic insulation, etc.
• Demand a full heating & cooling load calculation on your home. If a salesman asks you the square footage of your home to determine equipment size – send them away. There are many more factors that are important (insulation, direction windows face, quality of construction, etc). Be sure they check your ductwork and registers/grills. Consumer Reports says: “To be sure of correct sizing [of equipment], choose a contractor who agrees to take the time to calculate heating [& cooling] needs using an industry-standard calculation, such as found in the Air Conditioning Contractors of America’s Manual J”.
• Require references – no exceptions to this. Require at least 50 names and phone numbers. Call several names from the list. Ask if drop clothes were used, was trash cleaned up, were technicians professional, were there any surprises, did the system meet expectations, how were problems resolved.
• Determine how long the company has been in business with it’s current ownership. Many local companies have the same name they had years ago, but have had several changes of ownership. Be sure the company has been in business (with it’s current owners) for at least 10 years – the more years, the better.
• Learn about the equipment being offered. There are several excellent brands, and several “cheap” brands. Most good brands also offer a “builder’s model” (low cost, low quality) – avoid these. Be sure you understand the warranties. Exclude any equipment that the contractor has been installing for less than 5 years (they may be “trying” a new brand).
• Visit the contractor’s office. See the equipment being proposed. Meet the office personnel and notice the overall atmosphere of the contractor’s business.

Looking to invest in a new system for your home? Learn more about the Roth Heating & Air difference.

Roth uses insulated ductwork transitions for connections to existing duct work and not thin sheet medal or shiny tape. We use only concrete bases, not plastic, and replace line sets (copper refrigerant tubing) or we will perform an extensive clean out procedure on all air conditioner replacements. We make sure to pull permits and have every project inspected by the city or county for your safety and to assure the proper installations our customers deserve!

Roth has been “The Name You Can Trust” serving customers since 1955 and offers extended service hours Mon-Fri 8am-7pm and Sat 8am-5pm. We have the most skilled, most professional, most dedicated expert technicians in the area with over 400 years of combined experience and guarantees our work 100% with a 2 year labor warranty and lifetime workmanship guarantee! Our reputation in the community is of excellence and guaranteed customer satisfaction and because of this reputation we offer only quality products such as Amana and Rheem equipment and with confidence due to reliability. We are one of the oldest and most respected Heating and Air Conditioning companies in Wichita and always have the customer’s best interest at heart and will be there after the sale and take the extra steps to take care of any concern you may have. We never cut corners to reduce the initial investment and complete detailed and consistently perfect installations with skilled, licensed techs. We treat all warranty calls as priority and we don’t push aside warranty calls for general service calls to profit. We are clean and professional and our technicians use drop cloths and shoe covers to protect your home. We constantly strive to do things right, proper and honest. Roth Heating and Air Conditioning is licensed and bonded. Roth’s service and installation techs, as well as comfort consultants, are uniformed or dressed professionally and drive clearly marked vehicles with Roth logos. We keep you comfortable and save you money! Roth dominates the local HVAC business through a total commitment of superior service, sensitivity, and trust! Roth is passionate on structuring an on going weekly training program for all employees for excellence that you deserve. Roth is a drug free work place and equal opportunity employer. Roth is family owned and operated Christ centered company and we offer Maintenance Agreements to keep your equipment operating efficiently to assure total satisfaction and comfort.

Roth offers Amana which has been a household name since 1934. Amana spends extra dollars and time to build most of their components, parts, and those that they purchase are carefully double-checked to be sure they meet Amana’s high standards of perfection. Amana has a commitment to quality of their manufactured equipment and in their service to their dealers and to the consumer. They have found that this costs them more, but it maintains their reputation of excellence and customer satisfaction. Amana has the best customer warranties and extended service protection.

Roth offers Rheem and Roth is the oldest Rheem dealer west of the Mississippi River! Rheem is recognized as one of the top Heating and Air Conditioning manufacturers in the world. Rheem is reliable! Rheem backs their products as Roth backs their service!

Roth has radio dispatched service trucks for optimum flexibility and speed of service. Roth is a member of the Wichita Chamber of Congress, ACCA, KCCA and the Better Business Bureau and proud to say complaint free with an A+ rating (You can also find us at Angi list). Roth offers high efficiency equipment, power-vac duct cleaning, heat pumps, humidifiers, set back thermostats, electronic air cleaners, merv 11 high efficiency filters, the best service and installations! Roth takes every step necessary to guarantee your comfort and satisfaction so we live up to our slogan: The name you can trust!

Do you want more tips in buying AC and furnace equipment? Reach out to the Roth Heating & Air team in Wichita, KS.