Before your next air conditioning system installation consider a couple of things. One is is who you have install it is important. Installing central air conditioning needs to be done by a licensed contractor. The other is this is a labor intensive project that you should not probably do yourself.

So this brings up a question you need to look into. How do people get started in the trades such as a plumber, electrician, or air conditioning company.

Many people who start their own business in the home improvement arena start as workers. In the air conditioning business it is common for someone to start out as an installer and work their way up from there.

These people are the brightest and usually the fastest. They can work unsupervised and are good with customers. After busting their butt for several years earning a good, but not great wage, they begin to think about how much money they are making for the owner.

This will often lead to them deciding to go out on their own and start their own company. Many times this does not work out for 2 reasons.

1. They do not have enough money to ride out the ups and downs of good times and bad times.

2. They are not good business people. They soon learn that the amount of money you earn on every job quickly goes to pay all of the overhead of running a successful business.

The ones who do make it beyond the first 5 years do so because they are able to control their overhead, price jobs at a level that earn a profit, and are willing to do whatever it takes to stay in business.

As a consumer this can work to your advantage if you know what you are doing when you shop before you buy. Does this mean ignore companies under 5 years of age.

Of course not. Everyone has to start somewhere. But it you are dealing with a new company ask for referrals of their most recent jobs. Find out if those people were happy with the overall job.

Check out their rating with the better business bureau. Do they have complaints that are unresolved.

Be sure that your installation company pulls the proper permits. Regardless of how new they are they are required by law to carry the proper licenses to do your work.

One other important thing you can do is to purchase an extended parts and labor warranty on the equipment you are buying. Most installing air conditioning contractors offer a one year labor warranty. This protects you in the event there are problems in the first year with your installation or equipment.

Many air conditioning units come with a 5 year parts warranty on everything including the compressor. Today these warranties can go as long as 10 years.

By having a parts and labor warranty you are covered by the manufacturer to have your unit repaired from an authorized service company. If the installing company you purchased from goes out of business you are covered.

This is some good protection especially when dealing with a company that is not as established as others in the area where you live.

Consider these points, as well as the type of equipment, the price, how fast can they get your job done, etc and you should be all right no matter how old the air conditioning company you go with is.