Following my position as a laboratory manager where I administered supply inventories and large equipment purchases, I feel like I’m fairly proficient at making purchasing decisions with a designated budget and on a schedule.
I try to narrow my focus to a few key requirements, and then simply shop around until I find the components I need.
I contact several companies for quotes and wait for the numbers align. That being said, I’m having a heck of a time replacing my home’s HVAC system. It was clear at the end of last year that our furnace was not going to be operable for another winter season. As the cold weather is approaching, we figured we may as well replace our air conditioner and thermostat along with the new central heating unit. As such, I’ve been diligently searching for an affordable and modern HVAC unit that meets our basic household needs for at least two months now. I don’t know why it seems to be so difficult to find the heating and cooling equipment that we need without our budget, but it seems like we may have to increase our spending limit on this HVAC purchase. I can’t decide if we are setting our sights too high, or if the HVAC companies in the area are simply overpriced. So far I haven’t received a competitive quote from a single ventilation specialist; they are all setting the same price point for basic equipment and installation. I hope we can raise our budget, or it’s going to be a cold winter without a working furnace!