Increase Your Home Value With Air Conditioning
Did you know that air conditioning can actually increase the value of your home if you want to sell it? Anyone planning to buy a home is going to check for temperature control and if you have both heating and cooling, the house will usually be worth more to people. After all, who doesn’t want to be comfortable in their new home?
Why Buyers Want Air Conditioning
Depending on your area, one of the first questions about the house will be whether or not it has air conditioning. They’ll ask about the function of any number of things, including appliances that may come with the home. However, they don’t want just any kind of cooling. There are specifics they have in mind.
Economical and Energy Efficient
Most people who are looking to purchase a home already have enough to do with paying their mortgage. This is why they want to be sure that they’re getting a good system. If your air conditioning system is over 8-10 years old, you will need to upgrade it before selling the house. This simple improvement can make a big difference, and if the new system is energy efficient, that’s even better.
Reliable System
Again, if the air conditioning system you currently have is older, then it’s best to replace it. You want the buyer to have a system that works – and works well. Most air conditioning systems last for 10-15 years, so based on that and the age of the current system, you can determine if you need to replace it. New buyers will be thrilled if you have a system that is reliable and still under warranty.
Smart Technology
Does your air conditioning work with smart technology? If so, you’re already on board with what younger home buyers are looking for. They want smart homes and you’ll find that your house sells faster if you have it all set up for them ahead of time. Millennial buyers are the most likely to want a smart home.
Have you decided that you do need to invest in a new air conditioning system? Then it’s time to consider what type of system you need.
Choosing Your Air Conditioning System
Installing air conditioning in your home isn’t just a matter of purchasing a unit and setting it in your home. First, you will need to do some research to determine just what you need and then select the right system with these requirements in mind.
House or Room Size
How big or small is the area you will be cooling? If you are aiming for just one room to keep cool, you can get away with a smaller air conditioner. However, if you plan to cool the entire house, you’ll need to consider whether or not central air is a good choice for you. It’s also important to consider what your potential buyers will want.
Once you’ve determined the room size that needs to be chilled, it’s time to pick a cooling unit and have it installed. You may want to choose a larger system than you currently need if you anticipate a particularly hot summer or if there will be renovations and additions built onto the house.
Installation Services
Does the air conditioning company offer installation? While you may be able to install simple units on your own or use a portable, the larger units will require proper installation and this is easiest with some help. Ideally, your air conditioning company will provide the installation service and eliminate the need to figure out how to get everything set up on your own.
Research Options
Do you know all of your options? The fact that you’re reading this right now is a good indication that you are not adverse to some research. Take the time to find out which units or systems are offered by the companies nearest you. Then do some research on those particular models that are available so that you know the pros and cons of them. This will help you make a more informed choice.
Guarantee
Every system should come with a guarantee or warranty so if anything goes wrong while it’s still covered, you may receive free assessments and maintenance. This is an essential part of maintaining the unit and future homeowners will appreciate the attention to detail when you show that the air conditioning system is still under guarantee.
Local Company
Ideally, you want a company that is fairly local. Not only will they know the area, but they are close by if anything goes wrong. It’s always good to have a local company that can come rapidly in an emergency. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find exactly what you want if you’re in a more rural area.
Check Quotes
It’s a good idea to get quotes from several companies to ensure you’re getting a good price. While cheaper isn’t always better, you should have a good idea of what the system or unit is worth. This will help you select from the many options out there and will also give you a better idea of how economical the unit is. You can begin to budget for it as you plan out your home sale.
There are quite a few factors to consider when purchasing an air conditioner, but if you pay attention to what you need and get quotes from a few different places, you shouldn’t take long to decide. Remember that it will add considerable value to your home and make it more attractive to potential home buyers.
Take some time to talk to an air conditioning company. They will be able to recommend the best choice for you, taking into consideration your needs and space, as well as budget. From there, you can make a proper choice.
Type of Air Conditioner
There are several types of air conditioners on the market, so you’ll need to determine which one works best for you.
Split Air Conditioning: This is probably the most common type of air conditioning in the UK. It involves an outdoor unit that connects to an indoor wall-mounted unit that will pump fresh, cool air throughout your home. Split air conditioning units tend to be quite energy-efficient and require very little to install. In most cases, the company selling the unit to you will install it, which makes it even simpler.
These are popular due to the ease of use and fact that they are efficient and rapid at cooling. While they may not be designed to use for cooling a whole house, they can certainly make it more bearable. The right temperature can change everything from productivity to mood.
Central Air Conditioning: For the most part, this type of air conditioning is limited to newer homes as it requires extensive ducting. These ducts are simple enough to add in when construction is already underway, but far more difficult if the build is finished. In this case, walls need to be broken down to insert the ducts and it can be a much larger job than you want to deal with.
However, central air conditioning does cool your entire home! It’s also quieter than other units while also being energy-efficient. You can simply turn on the air conditioning and enjoy a cooler home in a short period of time because the air is pumped into every room.
Portable Air Conditioners: If a larger system isn’t what you want and you tend to move frequently, you may want to stick to a portable air conditioner. These can be moved around the house, but they’re also handy for moving to a new home. While easy to use and carry, these mini air conditioners don’t work as well as the large ones and are not as economic in the long run. Most of these units have wheels so you can simply move them from one room to the other as needed.
Portable air conditioners are rarely a good choice if you’re trying to impress potential home buyers and want to boost the value of your space. If you want to raise the value, you need something a bit more permanent, such as a central air conditioning system.
Which of these choices is best? This depends on the climate where you live and how much portability you need. Will you sell your house soon or will you be enjoying the climate control for a while yourself? There is a lot to think about and remember, everyone’s situation is different.
Need help making your final decision? Let us help! Contact Ian Hobbs Technical Services today to learn more about our air conditioning services.