The Ins and Outs of Renting HVAC Equipment

It used to be when you needed new HVAC equipment, buying the item outright or financing the purchase were your only choices. Nowadays, you also have the option of renting HVAC equipment for both short- and long-term needs.

Here are some of the scenarios where renting equipment makes good sense:

• Your air conditioner or furnace gives out, and you don’t have room in your budget to make a big cash outlay for a replacement.
• You need temporary heating or cooling for a venue you’re renting to host a wedding, birthday or graduation party, or you want to keep customers and guests comfortable at your grand opening or corporate event.
• Your air conditioner gets damaged when a storm moves through the area, and you need to keep your premises cool so your business can stay open while it’s being repaired or replaced.
• You’ve expanded your business location and need supplemental heating or cooling for the added space.

Considerations When Renting HVAC Equipment

When you purchase new HVAC, you’re the owner so you’re responsible for all the associated maintenance and repair costs, and making sure you stay in compliance to keep the manufacturer’s warranty coverage intact. If you rent instead, you typically pay a monthly fee and avoid extra costs for installation and upkeep. Plus, you no longer have to worry about voiding a warranty.

If you’re considering renting HVAC equipment, be sure that you:

• Vet the HVAC company you’re renting from to ensure they’re reputable.
• Have a clear understanding of the rental term and what’s included in your monthly fee, (such as installation, maintenance, replacement filters and parts, emergency service, and routine repairs.)
• Calculate your total cost over the rental term and compare it to the total of all the anticipated expenses of buying/financing new equipment to make sure renting is your best option.
• Verify whether you can end the contract early if necessary, and under what circumstances, as well as whether you’ll owe an early termination penalty.

To learn more about renting HVAC equipment for your Lorain-area home or business needs, contact us today at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.