Finding the right air conditioning dealer is an important process. Selecting the right dealer can make the difference between getting the most comfort and efficiency for your money or, getting stuck with a cooling system that doesn't meet your needs. Here are some tips on evaluating an air conditioning dealer:

			Ask the air conditioning dealers you are considering how long they've been in business. Common sense says that older, more established companies will have a better record of customer satisfaction.
			Check to see the dealer's contractor's license. Dealers must have a license to receive the permits needed for the job. And, only licensed HVAC contractors can legally purchase the refrigerant needed for air conditioners and heat pumps.
			Ask for references. Then, follow up by calling those people and asking them how satisfied they were with the dealer. Try to ask specific questions, about the dealer's timeliness, ability to follow through on start and finish times, etc.

Many air conditioning and heating manufacturers have dealer locators on their Internet sites to help you locate the right dealer.

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Check the age of your current heating and/or air conditioning unit. Generally, newer products are much more efficient that older products. Current furnaces on the market can be over 90% efficient. Modern air conditioners also use much less electricity than their predecessors.

Before making an air conditioner purchase, be sure to check the "SEER" or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio on the product you are considering. This efficiency measurement is similar to Miles Per Gallon for cars. The higher this number, the more energy efficient they system is. New units have SEER ratings from 10 to 17 BTUs per watt. Generally, purchase price increases with SEER.

When selecting a furnace or heating unit, check the efficiency rating. Heating systems with efficiencies in the 90% range are best, but for less money, you may want to go with an 80% efficient.

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The system you choose depends upon your personal needs. There are generally 3 major criteria for making a purchasing a furnace or air conditioner:

			Brand name and reputation
			Efficiency and performance
			Value for the price

Don't short-change yourself by selecting your air conditioning or heating product or system purely on price. That decision may cost you more in the long run. Quality and reliability of the brand should be a key consideration.

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Before contacting or selecting a dealer, be sure to spend some time researching the brands on your own. Each manufacturer has a different value proposition and brand reputation. You need to decide which one you feel most comfortable with and which best meets your needs.

Visit the various brands' Internet sites. Most brands provide a good overview of their company and products.

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The total price of air conditioning and heating products depends on a lot of variables...

			Brand selection
			Number of components purchased
			Type of components purchased
			Dealer selection / installation cost

Generally, more reputable, higher quality brands will cost slightly more. Within brands, there are usually good, better and best products, each with different price tags. Efficiency ratings can also affect cost—more efficient products generally cost more.

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