Professional Tips on Buying a New Air Conditioner

May 10, 2019 - Published by Scott's Air

a women trying to cool off using a fan because she needs a new air conditioner from Scott's Heating and Air Conditioning

Living in Florida can be downright unpleasant if your air conditioner isn’t performing at a high level. Whether your AC is broken, your energy bill is way too high or you want a more advanced system that you can control on your phone, buying a new air conditioner can be complicated if you don’t know what to look for. Here are some professional tips from Scott’s Heating and Air Conditioning to make your search a little easier.

1. The Size of Your Home Matters

Understanding your home’s size and layout is important to determining how large your system should be. If you buy a new air conditioner that is too big, it will cycle on and off constantly, wearing down the system over time. If the air conditioning system is too small, it will not be able to heat or cool your home properly and the system will get overworked.

In both cases, your air conditioner will be less efficient and will break down more often. Make sure that an AC technician calculates your home’s heat load correctly to better assess which system is the right fit.

Energy Star systems typically have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating of 15 or higher.

2. Efficiency is King

Florida summers are notorious for skyrocketing energy bills. Picking the right unit means picking the most energy-efficient system on the market. Trust us. Your bank account will thank you.

Be sure to look for the Energy Star label to find air conditioners that have met the requirements established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Energy Star systems typically have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating of 15 or higher. The SEER rating relates to how much A/C cooling is produced compared to the energy output over a cooling season. Higher ratings mean more efficiency and greater savings on your utility bill.

3. Smart Thermostats are Great Investments

The internet of things has made our normal appliances even easier to use with digital technologies. Smart thermostats can be a great asset in maintaining a comfortable house and managing energy costs.

Smart thermostats allow you to build a custom temperature control plan that optimizes your air conditioning preferences based on your daily schedule. Automatically raise temperatures when you go to work. Automatically lower them when you get home. Reduce your energy bill and increase your comfort in your own home with a smart thermostat.

4. Don’t Forget Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality in our homes can be a major factor in overall health. Bad air quality can cause or worsen respiratory disorders such as asthma and can cause eye irritation, headaches and even heart issues. When looking at purchasing a new air conditioner, ask about add-ons such as humidifiers, air purifiers, UV lamps and other air quality solutions.

Scott’s Heating and Air Conditioning offers a $500 discount on all new installations! Contact us for more details.

5. Consider a Bryant Air Conditioner

Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems are some of the highest quality systems that you can get at an affordable price. They have over 100 years of experience making homes comfortable and perfecting their products.

Last year, they announced their industry leading Bryant Evolution product line including smart phone integration, reduced sound technology and Energy Star certification. Scott’s Heating and Air Conditioning is a Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer, so we can answer any questions you may have regarding this new and exciting product line.

6. Ask About Maintenance Packages

You wouldn’t go a full year without getting the oil changed in your car, right? Well, many homeowners forget that air conditioners are machines that need regular maintenance. Just like a new car, a new air conditioner will eventually need maintenance. Keeping your AC well maintained can decrease energy costs, increase home comfort and extend the lifespan of your AC system. Scott’s Heating and Air Conditioning provides residential maintenance packages for any home, including a 20-point tune-up that takes care of every aspect of your current or new air conditioner.

Important Questions to Ask in Your Search

What is the Installation Timeline?
What Type of Filter Should I Buy?
Are Your Technicians NATE Certified?
What Brands Do You Sell?
Do You Have Financing Options?

As a Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer, Scott’s Heating and Air Conditioning is dedicated to doing Whatever It Takes® to deliver whole-home comfort. The team at Scott’s Air participates in special training throughout the year to provide solutions, installations, and services to satisfy customers. Scott’s Air has met the highest standards for superior skills and service, and promises a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee.

Scott's Air

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Scott’s Heating & Air Conditioning is a full-service heating and air conditioning company and a Bryant® Factory Authorized Dealer in Central Florida. Whether you need repair, maintenance, or installation of a new heating or cooling system, we provide efficient, cost-effective, and professional service. When it’s hot, call Scott!

Tags: air conditioner, heating and cooling, hvac system, indoor air quality, New Air Conditioner, residential ac systems

Categorised in: Air Conditioning, Thing You Should Know

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UPDATE 12/11/25-
Mr. Scott, the owner took the time to speak with me the day before to take ownership of the unfortunate event, and to rectify it, he personally came over to speak to me and issued a refund for the blower motor replacement to honor me being a customer and purchasing the unit from them in recent times. This speaks a lot about his integrity and customer centric approach. Even though I didn’t hear from them initially for a few months, this was a great gesture in difficult times, and I appreciate this, therefore updating my review.

STAY AWAY!!!

I purchased a new AC system from Scott’s Air & Heat in 2022 for approximately $7,000. Since then, I have already spent over $1,500 on repairs in 2 years. Despite the system having a 10-year parts warranty, I was charged $650 for labor alone to replace a blower motor—a repair that took about one hour to complete. Another reputable company quoted $500 total, including both parts and labor, for the same job.

Additionally, I was charged $258 for the same issue just a week prior, and when the problem recurred, the company billed me again instead of honoring their previous service. Attempts to reach the owner or manager for a resolution went unanswered.

Overall, I found their pricing to be excessive and their customer service severely lacking. I would not recommend this company based on my experience.

Response from the owner:Hi, Thank you for taking Scott's call today & allowing us to make this right. We're looking forward to meeting you tomorrow with the hopes of being able to earn your 5-star rating. We genuinely care for our customers and their families and want you to be 100% satisfied. Thank you again.

Robin Preucil

It’s been a long process, but Scott did call personally to make sure that our ac unit was working properly. They even upgraded to the correct size unit we needed after many repairs and issues. I appreciate the follow through and transparent communication! They will make sure to follow up and help when needed. Thank you Scott and team!!!!

Response from the owner:Hi Robin, Thank you so much for giving us an opportunity to make this right. We're happy to hear your system is running good now & we were able to turn your experience around. Thank you for trusting us with your home.

Karon Phillips

12/11/25

Same day update! I want to applaud Scott, the owner, for contacting me about my concerns regarding the labor charge for our last job. It was a disappointment that I had to have such an expensive charge on a relatively new unit. However, we talked about it, and he’s going to try to help. I appreciate any owner who listens to customers and wants to try to make things right. Thank you, Scott. I guess I don’t have to shop around for a new AC company for now.

12/11/25
Just to clarify. My response says that I’m frustrated to pay for labor for a warranty repair. I didn’t understand this was a warranty repair and I always am fine with paying for labor if a job is done. I believe my review explains my frustration with flat fees no matter how long the job takes.

10/8/25
Update today. The price that was quoted me was not only labor. They are charging flat fees for jobs. This is a change from the past with HVAC companies , but with more explanation and a little flexibility, I think we will stay with Scott’s for the time being. We’ll see how it goes. They still remain extremely responsive and professional and kind. This is worth something. They also come quickly when you have a problem.

This is a big change in my review for this company. Over the past five years things have changed. The company I used to trust I am now very skeptical of. They no longer charge labor by the hour so that you pay more for something that is more difficult and less for something that is less difficult. Just flat fees. And extremely high ones at that! Guess I’m looking for a new company now.

Response from the owner:Hi Karon, Thank you for trusting us with your home all these years. I can understand your frustration in having to pay labor for a warranty repair. The warranty from the manufacturer (not us) only covers the part itself. We value our customers and our community & want to make sure we take care of you and your home. We've left you a message & hope you'll return our call so we can make this right.

Mia Torres

Chelsie was absolutely amazing!! She was on time, super friendly and personable! She was knowledgeable and even took the time to explain the problem and solution with our ac. I highly recommend them to service your HVAC needs!