Editor’s Note: This piece is part of an ongoing series called “Get It for Less” that will appear every week on MainStreet, so check back for more shopping tips on your favorite products. NEW YORK (MainStreet) – It was an unseasonably warm winter in much of the country, and here in New York it’s already hitting the 70s. That means it’s time to start thinking about putting an air conditioner or central air system in your home. Buy during the winter.If you’re in the market for a new air conditioner, the best time to buy it is during the cold months, when no one else is thinking about air conditioning and prices are low. So if you were in need of a new unit for this summer, hopefully you acted during the fall or winter when units and installations alike were on sale. “You need to replace these things before it’s boiling,” she says. “A lot of stores will offer a discount in the offseason, and if you can catch a [HVAC] contractor in the fall or spring when they’re not busy you can negotiate with them.”

Much like an iPhone, when you buy an air conditioner you’re not just paying the sticker price – you’re also setting yourself up for monthly service charges. In this case, those charges come in the form of higher electric bills, so you’ll want to aim for a fairly energy-efficient unit. In our guide to air-conditioner shopping, we note that getting an Energy Star-qualified unit should mean 10% lower energy costs, which will come out to $60 less during the course of the unit’s life. But there are other ways to make things efficient, specifically by keeping your house cool in other ways to make the air conditioner’s life easier. Huffstetler has previously written about several such tips, including keeping plants in front of the south-facing windows to keep out sunlight (as well as planting for shade around an exterior condenser unit so your central air system has to work less hard to cool the outside air). She also encourages people to consider how appliances in your house can raise the temperature, and suggests turning off your computer when not using it, switching to cooler compact fluorescent lamp light bulbs and avoiding using the dryer whenever possible. 

Get some financial help.If you’re spending thousands to upgrade your central air system, you don’t have to shoulder the full cost by yourself. Huffstetler says that when she recently upgraded her own system, she had a representative from her utility company perform an energy audit to confirm that she needed a new system, which netted her a $250 incentive. how a ac unit worksShe likewise got a state incentive in the form of a Visa prepaid card, as well as a federal tax credit for installing a more efficient system. how to fix an ac window unitYou’re not the only one who wants to be more energy-efficient – the government also has an interest in promoting efficiency, so see what sort of incentives it’s offering to upgrade your system.best in window air conditioner 2013

Matt Brownell is a staff reporter for MainStreet. , or follow him on Twitter @Brownellorama. When’s the Best Time to Purchase a New Air Conditioner in Phoenix? In the Phoenix and surrounding areas, the best time to purchase a new air conditioner is in the fall (October through November) and the spring (February through April). Air conditioning companies in Phoenix aren’t as busy in the spring and fall because the weather is nicer and people aren’t using their air conditioning and heating systems much. This gives you 2 big advantages:Because there is less demand, prices on installed air conditioners tend to drop a bit. Manufacturers also offer their best rebates during this time.With less demand comes more availability. You can schedule your installation for times where you won’t have to miss as much work. You have time to find the right A/C The best time to purchase anything is before you need it. That way you have enough time to consider your options carefully before you make a decision.

Purchasing an air conditioner is no different. If you wait to shop for a new one until your current A/C breaks down, you’ll be rushed to find a new one and may just purchase the one that can be installed the quickest—regardless of whether it’s the best option or not. After all, no one wants to be stuck in a 100° F home for long. Here’s some great information to get you started finding the best air conditioner for your home: What Size Central Air Conditioner Do I Need? SEER Savings Calculator Tools: From Beginner to Advanced Are Two-Stage Air Conditioners a Good Choice for Phoenix-area Homes? What’s the Best Brand of Central Air Conditioner? You have time to find a good A/C installer One of the most important factors in the performance of your new air conditioner is the quality of the installation. In a typical installation, the A/C loses 27% of its energy efficiency from being installed improperly, according to ENERGY STAR. How do you find a good A/C installer?

Here are a few tips: Ask friends and family. Start with people you know. Who have they used? What was their experience?There are lots of reviews out there. Read up on the companies you’re considering. A great source is to check the Better Business Bureau for their reviews, grade and qualifications.Make sure they have a license to do HVAC work in Arizona. This shows they’re in it for the long run and not just for a quick buck. Don’t shop just on price. The cheapest guy is likely not the best. Doing good, quality work and hiring trained professionals costs money. The A/C installers that do those things generally have a higher price, as a result. Consider how long the company’s been around. Though not always true, companies that have been around awhile are more likely to still be around when you need them if there is a problem in the future or you have questions on your warranty. If your air conditioner is on its last leg, the time to start shopping is now!