An air conditioner is a high-value equipment, which practically makes it an investment. It is not one of those stuff that you can just easily spend dollars on when it stops working. Pray you wouldn’t need one when money is tight because it will definitely put a dent in your family budget. The cost of air conditioners varies, depending on models and type of systems. On the average, the best systems can run into thousands of dollars. And we are not talking yet about the really top-of-the-line ACs that are priced farther north of the four-figure price tag. Some very advanced models are even offered at a five-figure range. Of course, you can still find some systems that are available at hundreds of dollars, but anybody can have a good guess why they’re relatively cheaper. To be able to get the right air conditioning system for your home without really hurting your finances, weigh the available options based on your financial situation. To help you assess and come up with the right purchasing decision, here are the three easy ways to buy an air conditioner:

If you have the cash, direct purchase is pretty chill, easy, and convenient. Nothing’s cooler than driving off home with a new AC purchase without any debt in tow. Outright purchase is not always about laying out cold cash on the table, though. Some buyers take out the funds through a bank loan, which entails a repayment with a different set of terms, which in effect, an entirely different situation. Nonetheless, directly takes away all the hassles involved when dealing with HVAC dealers, which include complicated purchasing process and bothersome monthly payments. Simply put, it makes you own the AC right away and keeps your next family budget just as usual—clean and lean. So, if you have enough savings to spare and you think a hefty one-time expense is the smartest move to make, then buy your next AC directly and enjoy the cooling comfort inside your home without worrying about the crippling interest costs.

When you really need an AC but the budget is tight, going with financing makes more sense than any other options available. True, there have been so much perils heard about financing that went wrong, but more often the case, these are cases of the misinformed few just caught overly misreading their financial situation. Financing requires planning, research, and enough prudence to temper one’s wants instead of going full-throttle with a major purchase that one can hardly afford. Even so, going with financing is one of the easiest, most attractive options, especially if you don’t have enough cash to shell out. There are many good financing deals available in any State. It’s just a matter of finding the right HVAC company or manufacturer that can offer you the best deal. In Miami, for instance, where an air conditioner is essentially a necessity, HVAC companies that provide financing offers are as ubiquitous and certain as the next 90-degree weather the next day. With financing, you wouldn’t have to wait to have enough in your savings coffer to buy an AC—you can walk to a dealer right away, agree on the terms, sign the paperwork, and voila, it’s done. When you opt for a financing option, your most important consideration is what type of financing fits your needs and situation. For example, should it be through a home equity loan or through direct transaction with an HVAC company? Other financing options are also available, so it’s best to pick the one that makes the most financial sense. Consider the amount of interest, payment methods, cost on initial cash outlay, and rebates.

When direct purchase is near impossible and getting a financing is not the most practical option to get an AC, then subscription is the best way to go. In fact, even when the two previous choices can be easily made, the subscription method of getting an AC makes for a very strong case as the most practical route nowadays. Subscription is basically a rental of an AC system, a quick, easy-to-make transaction with a lot of perks thrown in the mix. These include free installation, repairs, maintenance checks, system monitoring, and attractive warranties—all on top of flexible payment methods. Additionally, most HVAC companies that offer AC rentals provide some really advanced, high-efficiency systems that you would normally get at a very stiff price if you go with financing or even outright purchase. In subscription offerings, the price tags vary depending on the type of system and other bundled services and stuff that go with the deal. It works in various ways, but typically, when you avail of this method, all you need is to pay a fixed upfront cost (usually an amount that equals the first and last monthly payments) and then pay a fixed monthly rate. Unlike direct purchase, the cash that you’ll need to prepare is relatively small. And compared with financing, there will be no high interest rates involved. Whether you’ll be using the system for the long-term or for just a short term, subscription option promises you a lot of cost-savings and convenience. Companies like offer these services. More than your desire for cooling comfort, buying an AC has a lot to do with your finances. Most of the time, cost is the biggest influencing factor in every AC purchase. Take note that most air conditioners last for 10, 15, or even 20 years. So whatever system you’ll ultimately purchase will be yours for the long haul. And when you buy one, it would sometimes take a quarter of those average lifespans to completely pay for the whole system. In other words, when you’re buying an air conditioner, you know that you are making a major financial decision. This makes picking the best purchasing option really important. Thus, when you’re out looking for your next air conditioner, don’t forget to consider the option that makes more financial sense. It doesn’t matter whether it’s direct purchase, through financing, or via system subscription or rental. What’s important is getting the best deal out of a purchasing method that perfectly fits your needs, budget, and situation.