As the winter slowly slips away, and you turn off your boiler, many homeowners start asking the same question: is not the best time to buy a new air conditioner? Most people believe that this is the case because during the legitimate air conditioning company aren’t as busy as during the summer.
And while some companies do offer winter discounts, that’s not always the case. In this article, we’ll talk about when is the best time to buy a new air-conditioner.
Do You Need a New Air Conditioner?
But before we get to the matter at hand, let’s consider if you need a new air conditioner at all. The answer is simple: in most cases, you will know if your AC system is due for a replacement. Basically, if it’s operating inefficiently or is significantly old, it’s probably the right time to get a new one. Here are some of the most common signs you need a new air conditioner:
- It’s over 10 years old
- It needs frequent maintenance
- The air quality in your home is extremely poor
- You leave your home for the most of the day and the air conditioner does not have a programmable thermostat
- Your home has cold or hot spots
Is winter the Right Time to Buy an Air Conditioner One?
Now back to the main question of this article: should you buy a new air conditioner during the winter? A lot of articles on the internet will tell you that it is. However, you have to bear in mind that not all the authors who signed these articles deal with HVAC on a daily basis. Most of them are just writers who do research, same as you’re doing now.
Any legitimate air conditioning company will tell you that the winter is as busy a season as the summer because most of these companies are busy replacing and installing furnaces during this season. You could probably get a good deal if you hire the same company that repairs your furnace to install a brand new air conditioner. But other than that, HVAC technicians are just as busy during the winter as they are during summer.
So when is the Best Time to Buy a New Air Conditioner?
The best time to buy a new air conditioner is actually during the offseason. Since both winter and summer are busy seasons for air conditioning companies, that leaves spring and fall.
Why is that so?
During these seasons the weather is perfect. It’s neither too hot nor too cold. This creates a lot of opportunities to spend time outside. And that’s precisely when HVAC companies have the least work. If the weather outside is great, why use the air conditioner? Of course, experienced homeowners know that this is also the best time to schedule routine air conditioner maintenance – it’s better to find a problem before you start using the AC than find out something is wrong in the middle of the cooling season.
Because of this, the best time to get a new air conditioner in spring and fall. During these seasons you have more leverage to negotiate, meaning you don’t need the air conditioner at the time but the company needs clients to keep going. Therefore, you can probably negotiate more a more affordable installation cost. Good luck shopping for your new air conditioner! Here are some tips on choosing the right one.
