Annette Floridia is a customer service representative for Precision Aire and has been in the air conditioning industry for several years. She says, "From time to time, we offer rebates. You can check with your dealer and ask them about rebates that they may be offering at the time. Our company here in Ocala is associated with Home Depot and we do all of their at-home services. So, whenever Home Depot is offering specials like 12 months no interest, no payments on their charge card or home improvement loan, you can get in on that deal. Many times it is in conjunction with a rebate program. You can just ask your representative, 'Do you have any specials going on right now?', because we usually have some type of incentive program that can help you save money. Also, by having qualified dealers such as Precision Aire installing your equipment and knowing that you're getting the job done right you can prevent problems down the road. Trane offers different specials at different times during the year. Sometimes, we give away $1,000 whole-house electronic air cleaners."
As far as purchasing a used heating or cooling system in order to save money, Floridia advises against it. "Our company does not sell used systems. I have talked to people that say, 'My friend is getting a new air-conditioner and they are going to sell me their used system. I'm going to install it in my house'. That's fine if there is a qualified installer, someone who is licensed to do it. But eventually they will have to invest in a new one."
Another benefit of purchasing a new heating and cooling system is the protection of a warranty and a maintenance contract with a certified technician who is specially trained to work on a particular line of units.
Other ways to save money on your existing heating and cooling system include properly maintaining your coils and filters, weatherizing your home, and making use of energy-saving tips around the house. To save money on air conditioning costs you can use ceiling fans to aid with air circulation. Investing in a programmable thermostat is another energy saving tip since this allows you to raise the temperature while you are sleeping or away from home. You should also check to make sure no furniture or draperies are restricting the air flow from vents and registers as well as making sure doors are left open or have adequate space underneath to allow air to escape and enter the return system. You should also avoid placing lamps or appliances such as televisions near your thermostat as these can interfere with the thermostat's reading of the room temperature and cause your air conditioning to run longer than necessary.
