High-Efficiency Air Conditioners in Milton

Whether summer is in full swing or just around the corner, if you need a new air conditioner for your Milton home, this guide is the best place to start.

By the end, you’ll know what to look for in a new air conditioner in terms of efficiency, warranty, rebates, energy-saving features, and more. You’ll also find out about HVAC companies, financing options, popular brands, and everything else you might need to know to find the right air conditioner and the right HVAC dealer in Milton. 

Average central air conditioner cost in Milton (including installation):

The average price of a new air conditioner in Milton is $4,250 to $5,250, including installation.

Your budget will be the biggest factor in determining what kind of air conditioner you buy, and that includes things like whether you buy a more affordable (but less efficient) single-stage model, or whether you opt for the more expensive (and more efficient) two-stage or variable-speed style.

Similarly, things like single-stage fans are cheaper than multi- and variable-speed ones, so you can also save that way. You can also keep costs lower by opting for a basic model with few features.

Efficiency and ENERGY STAR® certification will impact the cost as well: air conditioners with higher SEER ratings and certification will cost more than mid-efficiency models that don’t qualify.

When it comes to buying a new cooling system, those are factors you can control in terms of sticking to a budget. There are other things you won’t have control over that can increase the cost of your air conditioner and the installation, such as:

• Where you live (are you right in Milton, or in a more rural area outside the city?)
• Whether there are a lot of HVAC companies servicing your area (if yes, then competition will lower prices)
• How far an HVAC contractor has to travel to get to your home
• Whether your air conditioner is accessible
• Whether the installation is simple and straightforward

Top Brands by Tier and Price

Economy Tier

Average price: $3,200

Brand example: Goodman

Mid Range

Average price: $3,950

Brand example: Amana, York, Bryant, KeepRite

Premium

Average price: $5,000+

Brand example: Lennox, Carrier, Trane, Ruud

Purchasing a High-Efficiency Central Air Conditioner in Milton

Have you ever noticed that as air conditioners age, it tends to cost more and more to run them? That’s because they can lose efficiency and waste more energy as they get older, and if your air conditioner wasn’t very efficient in the first place, then you could be spending much more than you need to on cooling bills.

And that’s where SEER comes in. SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio, and it tells you how efficiently an air conditioner uses energy. Higher SEER numbers mean better efficiency, so this rating can guide your search for an upgrade.

Here is some important information to know about SEER and efficiency:

• The air conditioners on the market right now have SEER ratings between 13 and 27
• The higher the SEER, the more an air conditioner will cost
• Units with SEER ratings below 15 can’t qualify for ENERGY STAR
• Units with SEER ratings in the 20s are best reserved for hotter climates, like the American South
• Canadian summers tend to be milder and shorter, so SEER ratings between 16 and 18 are usually ideal

Home Cooling Efficiency Tips that Don’t Cost Much

A central air conditioner can be the most effective way to cool your home in the middle of summer, especially when the mercury rises and it gets muggy.

But some air conditioners are more efficient than others, and sometimes it can make more financial sense to spend a bit more on a better air conditioner. The improved efficiency features will save you more on energy bills over the years, and keep your home more comfortable.

Here are some of the best efficiency features to look for in a new air conditioner:

• A two-stage or variable-speed compressor, which can operate at lower speeds most of the time to reduce energy use and also keep your house at a more consistent temperature
• Multi- and variable-speed fans that can run at lower speeds and reduce electricity use
• Larger coils that increase heat transfer and function more efficiently
• Fan settings that allow the fan to stay on after the air conditioner’s cooling cycle ends, so cold air continues to circulate around the house

But your air conditioner isn’t the only tool you have in the battle against the summer heat, and there are other affordable things that will help out your air conditioner and keep your home cooler, such as:

• Cover windows and skylights during the day to block out UV rays
• Change the filter on your air conditioner regularly to keep it working optimally and keep air flowing freely
• Seal cracks and leaks around the house (ductwork, windows, doors, etc.) to prevent cold air from escaping and hot air from getting in
• Consider installing a home humidifier to eliminate excess moisture from your home to make your house more comfortable and easier to cool
• Install a smart thermostat that can be programmed and controlled remotely to save you money on cooling bills, especially when you’re not home or when you’re sleeping

Air Conditioner Warranties

Like a higher SEER rating, sometimes the extra money you’ll pay for a better air conditioner warranty will save you more in the long run.

All air conditioner warranties cover major components like the coils and compressor for at least a year, and because these are the most expensive parts to fix, a good warranty could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars.

But the warranty that comes with an air conditioner will depend on the brand, the model, and the price.

Every unit will come with a parts warranty (including the compressor) that lasts between one and 10 years.

Better coverage will also have a separate warranty for the compressor, and these are usually for five to 20 years.

And finally, some manufacturers have started offering unit replacement warranties ranging from a year to the lifetime of the unit. In that case, if a major component fails, then you’ll have the option of getting the entire unit replaced.

In addition, you’ll want to make sure you get a good labour warranty on the installation from the contractor you deal with. At least 1 year is good, and some of our Certified local partner contractors offer more than that.

Important Installation Information for Milton Homeowners

Another thing that’s worth the extra money is paying for professional installation. You’re already investing in a high-quality and high-efficiency air conditioner, so why not pay the extra cost to make sure the unit is installed properly and that it’s working at optimum efficiency?

Beyond that, there are other reasons that professional installation is important, including that DIY installation can:

• Result in damage to the unit
• Void your warranty
• Leave you open to installing a unit that’s the wrong size
• Result in an air conditioner that isn’t calibrated properly and doesn’t perform at its SEER rating

A Milton HVAC pro will have the tools, skills, and knowledge to install your air conditioner without damaging it, without voiding your warranty, and without compromising the unit’s efficiency, and that is worth the cost of labour.

Plus, some HVAC experts offer installation guarantees, a free service call, or even extended labour warranties with their installation services.

Deals Available

How to Choose an HVAC Expert in Milton

Milton has a decent amount of HVAC competition, meaning you’ll have plenty of choices when it comes time to buy your air conditioner and get it installed.

But if there are that many HVAC companies in the area, then how do you decide which one is the right one?

We suggest using our independent contractor certification program to find a Milton HVAC expert who has been independently vetted for things like:

• Having the right licenses and insurance
• Having experience and training
• Knowing how to work with all types of HVAC equipment from all manufacturers
• Offering a full range of services, including sales, installation, and maintenance
• Being well-known and respected in the community
• Offering quotes that are easy to understand
• Being responsive and having quick turnaround times, especially during emergencies
• Having good customer service

When you find an HVAC dealer through our program, you know that person has passed the test in terms of being qualified, reliable, and trustworthy.

Current Rebates and Deals for Air Conditioners in Milton

We’ve talked a lot about times it can be beneficial to spend the extra money to get more out of your air conditioner, so it’s only fair that we also tell you about some ways to save.

Air conditioner rebates are one of those ways. They typically apply to certain types of cooling systems, such as ones with a minimum SEER rating, ones with ENERGY STAR certification, or even ones with certain design features (like a variable-speed compressor, for example).

There are several sources of HVAC rebates, including:

• Municipal, provincial, and federal governments
• Banks
• Utility companies
• Local HVAC dealers
• Air conditioner manufacturers
• Energy conservation organizations

Government rebates are often a great source, but when these aren’t available, Milton HVAC dealers and air conditioner manufacturers are also excellent places to check. Just be sure to look for rebates before you buy, because you usually have to qualify in advance.

Air Conditioner Financing Options in Milton

Although it might not be as obvious as with rebates, HVAC financing can actually help you save money as well.

For one thing, taking advantage of zero-interest financing when it’s available can mean more money in your bank account to accrue interest.

Furthermore, financing can help you afford a better air conditioner with a higher efficiency rating, and this means greater energy and cost savings over the years.

HVAC financing is available through many reputable dealers. Terms are usually available from one to 15 years, so there’s a lot of flexibility for you to figure out a repayment schedule that works with your budget. Here are some examples of financing options an HVAC dealer might offer:

• Low-interest/zero-interest financing
• Bad credit loans
• Lease agreements
• Payment deferral promotions

Popular Air Conditioner Brands in Milton

There are lots of popular air conditioner brands in Milton and across Canada, and they have all gained reputations for manufacturing high-quality air conditioners that are efficient, reliable, durable, and backed by good warranties.

Familiarizing yourself with the common names in the industry can actually help guide your search for the perfect air conditioner because the 20 or so most popular brands can be divided into categories based on their price ranges.

Brands for Low Budgets

For example, if you’ve got a small budget and need an economy brand, then you should look at air conditioners from Armstrong Air, KeepRite, Comfortmaker, Goodman, and York.

Brands for Medium Budgets

When you have a little more to spend, you can check out Coleman, Heil, Payne, or Luxaire, all of whom make air conditioners in the economy to medium budget range.

In the mid-range, there are brands like Amana, Rheem, Tempstar, Bryant, Daikin, American Standard, Ruud, and Napoleon.

Brands for High Budgets

When money isn’t an issue and you just want the best air conditioner on the market, you can look at the offerings from Trane, whose prices are in the medium to premium range. Then in the premium range, you have Carrier and Lennox, whose air conditioners tend to cost the most.

About Milton

Milton is an ever-growing city in Halton Region, and even though it’s expanding quickly and part of the Greater Toronto Area, it still has a small-town vibe in places like downtown and older areas of the city.

There’s plenty to do and see in Milton in the summer, including the Downtown Milton Street Festival, the farmers markets, going for a dip at Kelso Lake, hiking through the Niagara Escarpment, checking out one of the many conservation areas, grabbing a bite to eat at one of the city’s many restaurants, and so much more.

Milton Statistics

Population: 110,128

Average summer temperature: 19.7 C

Average winter temperature: -5.3 C

Popular Neighbourhoods in and Around Milton

• Campbellville
• Haltonville
• Eden Mills
• Drumquin
• Brookville
• Dorset Park
• Darbyville
• Nassagaweya
• Milton Heights
• Crewsons Corners
• Omagh
• Kelso
• Hornby
• Peru

Other Articles You May Find Helpful:

• Buying a Furnace in Milton
• Best HVAC Contractors in Milton