The Best Time to Buy an Air Conditioner (And Other Things Buyers Should Know)

Buying and installing an air conditioner in your home can rack up a lot of bills. If you’re not careful, you could wind up spending thousands of unneeded dollars on an AC unit that isn’t right for your home or on unnecessarily high seasonal prices.

Knowing when to purchase an air conditioner and what kind of air conditioner is best for your space can save you a ton of money.

The Best Time to Buy an Air Conditioner

As the weather starts heating up for the summer,  many people become desperate to buy an air conditioner to cool down their homes. However, buying during the summer season can cost you thousands of unwanted dollars due to the high demand. For this reason, waiting for the cooler off-seasons can help you save money.

During the cooler months, demand for air conditioning systems is much lower, so retailers very often find themselves with overstock. When retailers have too much stock, they often try to get rid of it as quickly as possible by offering surprising discounts and sales on their products. You may find that the same air conditioner that was selling for $6,000 in June is now selling for $4,000 in October.

However, the coldest point of the year also may not be the best time to save money on your cooling system. In the dead of winter, HVAC companies are extremely busy installing heating systems across the country, making their installation prices much higher due to the demand for service. For this reason, buying an air conditioner in the fall or spring may be your best bet for getting the cheapest units and installations.

Why Western Washington Residents Need Air Conditioning Now

Summers in the Pacific Northwest just aren’t what they used to be. For years, Washington residents have been able to get by with box fans and screen doors, allowing the temperate air to flow throughout their homes. Unfortunately, soaring high temperatures have become commonplace. Homes that almost never required air conditioning units in the past are now desperate for some relief from the heat.

During this year’s heatwave, the demand for air conditioning units in Western Washington skyrocketed, leaving HVAC companies scrambling to relieve overheated residents. To stay ahead of the heat this next summer, look into investing in a new air conditioning unit right when the weather starts to cool down in the fall. This way, you’ll be prepared for the next inevitable heatwave while also saving your wallet.

Other Tips for Buying an Air Conditioner

Aside from the tips mentioned above on how to save on an air conditioner, there are a few tricks that may help you save money while finding the perfect unit for your home.

Central Air Conditioning Systems vs. Heat Pumps vs. Mini Splits

Knowing which kind of cooling system is best for your space can help you avoid unnecessary installation-related expenses. Understanding the difference between central air conditioning systems, heat pumps, and mini splits and when to purchase and install each can help you get the best unit to beat next year’s heat.

Central Air Conditioning

Central air conditioning, or ducted systems, can be extremely expensive to install in rooms built without ducts. If you already have heating ducts in your home, you may be able to use them for a new central air conditioning system, although the vents may not be in the ideal places for distributing cool air.

If you’re interested in updating your pre-existing central air system, the best time to do so is in the off seasons, such as the fall or spring. You may also want to look out for holiday deals throughout the winter, which may save you hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are air systems that pull heat out of indoor air to cool your home in warmer months and pull heat into the indoor air in the colder seasons. Because these systems are used for both heating and cooling, the best time to purchase a heat pump is in the fall or spring, when most people are not thinking about getting through extreme summer or winter temperatures. Saving your heat pump installation for the spring also means that you won’t have to go without much-needed heating or cooling when temperatures are dramatic.

Mini Splits

Mini splits are great for people who want to add an air conditioning system to a ductless home or room. While you can pay to add ducts to your home for central air, this process usually costs a lot of time and money. Small, compact mini split systems can be mounted on your wall so you can cool one room at a time. Like with other cooling systems, the off seasons of spring and fall are considered the best times to purchase and install a new unit.

How to Find a Great HVAC Contractor

It is essential to work with the best HVAC technicians and contractors when purchasing a new cooling system. Below are a few ideas to help you find a professional you trust to install your new HVAC system:

• Always make sure the HVAC company you choose provides you with at-home and phone consultations free of charge. If a company is trying to charge you for these services, you may want to consider their intentions.
• Permits and inspections are an important part of installing HVAC systems. Your technician should not only make you aware of these regulations, but also include these in your installation timeline.
• If your HVAC system and installation prices seem too good to be true, then they probably are. Purchasing a cooling system that is too cheap may result in more costly issues over time. The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
• Once you’ve completed your at-home consultation, you should receive a written quote for the services you may purchase. Compare this to other contractors to see how their prices vary and ensure you’re getting the best deal and service on the market.

Purchase an Air Conditioner For Your Home Today!

We encourage you to buy the perfect air conditioning unit for your home during an off-season time to ensure you’re getting the best deal. That way, you can stay cool while saving money.

Paragon Heating and Home Comfort Solutions is a Western Washington HVAC contractor that serves your local community, including Snohomish, Everett, Bellevue, and Sammamish. Paragon can match you with the perfect HVAC system for your home. Speak with one of our highly trained and educated consultants to schedule an installation and see what Paragon can do for you!