Choosing the Right Air Conditioning System for Your Home

As summer approaches and things start heating up across New Zealand it’s a good time to think about how to keep things comfortable in your home. An air conditioning system is a cost and energy efficient way to ensure that when its hot outside it’s cool inside for you and your family.

Some things to consider when selecting an air conditioning system for your home;

Aesthetics – which system will work best with your homes décor? Would you prefer a system you can’t see at all? How much space will the air conditioning unit take up?

Energy Efficiency – what features does the unit have that will ensure it is cost effective in terms of your energy bills? How much is the average cost of running the various air conditioning systems?

Space - Which air conditioning system best suits your space? Would a portable system be sufficient for your home?

Noise – how much noise do the various air con systems make?

So how do you know what system will work for your home? There are numerous types of air conditioning systems suitable for home use. These include wall fitted units, portable units, central air conditioning units and window units. Each has its own benefits and the one that is suitable for you will depend on your space, needs and budget.

Once you have established what it is you want and need it’s time to take the next step and speak to the professionals who will be able to recommend the perfect solution.

Choosing an Air Conditioning & Heat Pump Provider

Here are a few things to consider when choosing the most appropriate company for your air conditioning needs:

Contractor or Service Provider?

You can generally expect a contractor to be better at installations and a service provider to be better at providing an on-going service. Both types of companies have an important role to play, depending on your requirements.

Customer Service Record

Longevity alone does not guarantee good service; some companies have been around a long time but take their clients for granted, so try to ascertain whether they are progressive and client focused. However, if a company has been trading successfully for some time they are probably doing something right and are likely to be around for some time yet.

Geographical Coverage

Some smaller companies are reluctant to travel far, concentrating on serving their local area. Service providers usually travel throughout the wider metropolitan area and the location of their head office can be irrelevant.
If you own or manage several properties throughout the country, a service provider with interstate branches may suit you.

Response Time

Some service providers (and contractors) promise good response times but let their clients down when it comes to actually showing up on time. It is difficult to judge how well a service provider will respond, but you could contact one of their existing clients, if possible, or just try them.

Choose a Specialist

For expertise and competence, choose a specialist. Service technicians possess very different skills to installers (the reverse also applies). A company specialising in this area employs technicians who perform many day-to-day repairs, so become very skilled at it.

Pricing

Be careful of selecting on the basis of hourly rate alone; if the service provider is not competent, the job may take longer and cost you more. Good service with competent, well-trained employees inevitably costs a little more, but if you feel you are being overcharged or are not happy with the workmanship you should look elsewhere.

Licenses, Insurances and OSH

Dealing with a fully licensed and insured company provides you with peace of mind and is an indication of its competence. The company should also have all Occupational Safety and Health procedures in place to ensure a safe working environment for all.