Oakland Air Conditioning

Some have said that the Bay Area has the most desirable weather in the country. While that may or may not be true, there's no doubt that for many people in Oakland, A/C is still something they'd rather not do without. It's true that homeowners in the south and southwest might have more hot days per year than you'll find in Oakland; air conditioning is, however, still a great benefit during Bay Area summers (though better known for summer temperatures in the 70s and 80s, Oakland has seen its share of triple digit days, too).

Is Oakland A/C Worth the Cost?
Not every home needs central air conditioning, and its incredible popularity in residences is a relatively new development. The fact is, though, that the ability to control the temperature in your home is something that modern Americans are coming to expect. Obviously, the biggest benefit of Oakland air conditioners is that no matter how hot it gets outside, you'll be able to go indoors and be comfortable. However, central air conditioning has some other benefits, too.

Air conditioning doesn't just affect the temperature of the air, but its humidity, too. When running air conditioning, Oakland homeowners are also reducing the amount of humidity in their homes simultaneously. This can be very beneficial considering that moisture has such an adverse effect on many materials in you home. Running the air conditioner can even reduce the likelihood of mold and mildew growth! Aside from temperature and moisture control, having Oakland A/C installation is a good idea from a financial stand-point. When renting a property, having central air will make your place more appealing to tenants; when selling a property, prospective buyers will be looking for modern upgrades like central A/C. Oakland homeowners who don't plan to rent or sell and are happy with how their living areas feel during the summer might consider skipping this project, but for everyone else, central air conditioning is likely to be a valuable asset now and down the road, too!

Is Oakland Air Conditioner Installation for You?
If you are installing or replacing a window unit, there's no real secret to success other than following the manual that comes with it. On the other hand, installing a central air conditioning system is a far more varied and involved task. There are many things to consider when choosing an air conditioner. Is it going to be powerful enough to cool the whole house? Will it be efficient enough to run at a reasonable price? Is the ductwork already in place, or will it need to be added? For many older homes in Oakland, air conditioner installation can require some structural alteration; if this is a project you are considering seriously, talk to a service professional about what kinds of changes you'll have to make for a central system to be effective.

Oakland A/C Options
In Oakland, air conditioning is a luxury, but not always a necessity; this means that you have a bit more leeway when it comes to choosing the model you want. Most people will be concerned with the efficiency of the unit they purchase (both for monetary and environmental reasons), and it's a good idea to take a look online at the prices of energy efficient units as well as look into any tax benefits you may be entitled to if you purchase one. You might also consider installing a ductless or mini-duct air conditioner, especially if your home doesn't already have ductwork in place.

Heat pumps are another Oakland air conditioning option. A heat pump will provide both cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter; though heat pumps aren't generally recommended in very cold places, in and around the Bay Area they are likely to perform quite well.

Real Life Costs of Oakland Air Conditioning Installation
Whatever type of unit you end up choosing, there's good reason to get several bids from a few different contractors. Here at ServiceMagic, we've seen Oakland air conditioning installation cost as much as $11,000 and as little as $2,000. While much of the price difference can be attributed to how involved the work is and the type of unit that is purchased, there's no doubt that some portion of the difference depends solely on the contractor! In addition to getting multiple bids, make sure to do your research on which (if any) Federal or California incentives an energy efficient A/C unit installation or upgrade will carry with it. This will ensure that you're getting the absolute best price possible, and may even allow you to put the difference toward a more efficient unit, which will save you on utility bills for years to come.

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