Here are the top 10 benefits of installing a new high efficiency HVAC system, as determined by Sila heating and cooling experts.Replacing an older system with a high efficiency one can save literally thousands of dollars in fuel costs. Many older systems operate around 65% AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency), with the remaining 35% simply lost. New high efficiency systems offer AFUE ratings well over 90%, which is great for both your bottom line and the environment. High efficiency systems often pay for themselves in a few years or less.Thanks to variable-speed technology, modulating gas valves and other 21st century advances, modern high efficiency systems produce more even heating; maintain temperature at a more constant level; provide more consistent air flow; and offer superior humidity control compared to older systems.Programmable thermostat systems come standard with a high efficiency system and provide unprecedented control over temperatures in specific zones of your home.

Inevitably some rooms need to be heated or cooled more than others, and zoning can provide energy savings alongside the comfort of consistently optimal temperatures. The ability to pre-program temperatures is also ideal for people who are away from home for set periods of time. Homeowners can save annually in energy costs just through proper use of a programmable thermostat.ac unit running but no airHigh efficiency systems feature variable speed motors that ensure consistent air flow throughout your home. window ac unit nycNot only does better air flow translate into better regulated temperature, it also helps to remove air impurities, prevent mold and simply create a more pleasant and healthy breathing environment, with the help of an upgraded filtration system.hvac unit in car

The high-tech sound absorbing materials in modern high efficiency systems make operating noise non-existent compared to older models, ensuring your HVAC system is felt but not heard.As high efficiency systems minimize on-and-off cycling, they typically require less extreme repairs (when properly maintained) and will last longer than lower efficiency systems.In this case, what’s good for your home and your wallet is also good for the Earth. High efficiency systems use one-third less fuel as compared to older models, which means less waste and better conservation of natural resources.A new heating system is a significant investment, so you’ll want to take the time to understand the warranties that come with it. Lennox high efficiency systems installed by Sila come with 10 year part warranties that provide home owners with long-term peace of mind.From high efficiency furnaces and HVAC units to geothermal and systems designed specifically for older homes, Sila has a solution for every home, all of which include advanced features and high efficiency capabilities.

A Sila professional can evaluate your home and discuss your priorities to determine which system is right for you.When evaluating a property, prospective home buyers must consider the quality of a home’s HVAC system and the cost of operating it. Installing a high efficiency heating and cooling system raises the value of your home and may even help you sell it faster. If your current system is more than 20 years old, it is almost certainly a wise investment to replace it with a high-efficiency model. If your system is between 10 and 20 years old and you are experiencing high utility bills or inconsistent performance, we recommend scheduling a professional evaluation of your existing system to determine if maintenance (such as ductwork repairs) or replacement is the best course of action. Of course deciding to purchase a high efficiency system is only half the battle; proper installation and regular maintenance is equally paramount. Improper installation can reduce system efficiency by up to 30%, raising your utility bills and possibly shortening the system’s life span.

Professional installation and regular Clean and Check service by a Sila professional will ensure that your system runs at peak efficiency for years to come. Among other benefits, regular maintenance reduces fuel consumption and ensures that deadly carbon monoxide is not entering your home. Fall is a great time to schedule installation and maintenance of your high efficiency system, before the winter season of emergency heating repairs kicks in. Protect your home for winter and save money in the process. Contact Sila Heating & Air Conditioning experts today to discuss the best high efficiency system for your home. How to Choose a Heating Contractor Installing a new central air conditioner is an expensive project -- homeowners routinely spend fromYet, because homeowners do it so rarely, the purchasing process can be unfamiliar and conducted telephone interviews with 12 heating contractors that revealed interesting and useful information for consumers -- including the fact that YES,

heating and cooling contractors do negotiate on contracts for big-ticket items. As one contractor said: "I think people realize that since the economy is slowing down, all of us have to be a bit more flexible. I don't mind if someone is trying to negotiate as long as they're beingAs long as they know that I'm trying to run a business here, and I'm not going to work at my break-even point." Another contractor told us that how hard people negotiate varies a lot: "If someone has lived in a house for 5 years, and they're planning to live there for a long time to come, they won't negotiate. if they're on a fixed income, they're going to negotiate hard. You can be $25 higher than your nearest competitor and still lose a contract -- that $25 could be a week's groceries for someone on a fixed income." Assuming that you have already found a qualified heating contractor this article will guide you through negotiating a contract. The most common negotiating tactic is for a homeowner to ask a contractor to match a competitor's lower bid.

Contractors are used to hearing this request, and they reply with a stock response: "Are the two bids really comparing apples to apples?" In most cases this negotiating tactic is a dead-end for homeowners: they simply don't have enough information to answer the "apples-to-apples" question. Even if the equipment from two different bids is the same efficiency and the same capacity and the same brand, one contractor may install a lower quality "builder's model", and another may install a premium model. A more promising approach is to ask your contractor to help you understand why their bid is higher than aThe cheaper contractor may have left out an important component! As one contractor said "If they have a substantially lower quote, it makes me wonder: did I put more in than I needed to? of know how the bigger companies in our area bid, and our bid is usually right in there with the rest ofAnother contractor said that he knew of a company that was offering a 1.5-ton central air conditioner

However, the contractor always charged the customer hundreds extra in wiring, refrigerants, and other required parts. Once you have a better understanding of why the two bids differ, here are a few ways to ask for a discount: If you are looking for a relatively small price reduction, most contractors will agree(In fact, two contractors reported that homeowners are often satisfied with a very small reduction in price -- on the order of $50 - $100.) But what should you do if the contractor isn't willing -- or able -- to meet the price you're looking for? Many contractors said that service and maintenance contracts were regularly on the table during negotiations. This has a hidden benefit for the contractor. As one company told us: "Smart HVAC companies do annual serviceIt gets you into a customer's house so they remember you. If someone asks who does their furnace, they'll remember you, because you're in there every year." Another told us: "The service contract is very

We'll throw in a service and maintenance contract for a year to help close the deal. furnaces where price seems to be more of an issue, we'll do the deal, and then go back to them later for the Another option with a hidden upside for the contractor is offering an extended parts and labor warranty to close the deal. Two contractors reported that manufacturers often reimburse their dealers for extended warranties on higher-end systems. Contractors simply pass these savings on to the homeowner. A third option is to request free accessories such as air filtration systems and thermostats. (Contractors are often happy to include a free thermostat, as digital thermostats can be programmed to display the installer's contact information -- or even a periodic message suggesting that the homeowner should schedule a maintenance call!) Some contractors reported a negative reaction to aggressive bargaining. A Colorado Springs contractor explained "there are some contractors that really try to undercut on price.

Everybody ends up losing money, and it isn't worth it to compete with them." Another contractor said that he gets irritated when customers get very aggressive -- such as getting bids from seven or eight contractors and asking his company to match the lowest price. However, most of the contractors simply saw negotiation as a normal part of their business. that they tell their customers that they would negotiate if the shoe were on the other foot. saw negotiation attempts as a positive! For example, two contractors told us that negotiating was an indication that the homeowner was serious about closing the deal. Negotiation is a normal and accepted part of the process of buying new heating or cooling equipment. Get enough bids that you get a feel for the price range, and then ask your preferred contractors to work with you on price or accessories. Remember that your contractor has a business to run -- but also remember that you have a household to run as well!