FAQ

If your house has “Central Air” or a “Home Comfort System”, the services of a professional HVAC Contractor will be invaluable for you. HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. People also call it climate control. Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning help to better the quality of indoor air, control the temperature and air flow throughout your home. Whenever there is an issue with your home’s indoor air – whether it is too hot, too cold, or too stuffy, your HVAC Contractor can help by providing routine maintenance or service, making repairs when your equipment is not working properly. Additionally your HVAC Contractor can replace equipment that is worn out, old, no longer energy efficient, or simply broken beyond repair. Your HVAC Contractor will have the best knowledge and understanding in how to effectively save you money by making the proper diagnosis.

The HVAC Contractor can help any home owner or commercial building owner as long as he has the knowledge and technical ability to work on a vast number as well as a wide variety (type or brand) of equipment (York, Carrier, Trane, Payne, American Standard, Lennox, Coleman, Intertherm, Goodman, Amana, Janitrol, Whirlpool, Day & Night, Armstrong, Magic Chef, Laars, Ruud, Rheem, Tappan, ClimateMaster, Bryant, Heil, Arco Aire, Honeywell, as well as many others). Knowing how to install, service, diagnose, troubleshoot the mechanics of the equipment will allow the HVAC technician to find any problems or mechanical failures to the equipment. He will be able to share his findings with the homeowner and help to get the equipment back up and running correctly. In the case of an Equipment Installation or Replacement the HVAC technician will be able to install the new unit correctly, which includes all necessary upgrades (including gas, electrical, duct work, venting, and sheet metal transitioning) and provide the homeowner or business owner with proper equipment warranty information.

While people in general know the purpose of heating and cooling homes, they do not appreciate the need for effective ventilation. Have you ever considered the fact that everyone who enters your home is immediately exposed to all the smells, smoke, dust, moisture, and airborne bacteria inside your home? A professional HVAC Contractor can install a system for removing “polluted” air inside of your home, as well as helping to circulate the air within. Preventing disease, improving the quality of indoor air, and keeping your house smelling fresh are some of the benefits of having a well ventilated house. You need to find an HVAC system that fits your residential or commercial building requirements and an HVAC Contractor can take you through the different types of mechanical and Forced Air Ventilating Systems, as well as Electronic Air Cleaners, Carbon Monoxide Alarms, Humidifiers, Ultra Violet Air Treatment Systems, and In-duct UV Air Purifiers before you make a choice.

The first step in getting yourself a system is to determine the size of the system your home needs. There are several factors that are considered by an experienced HVAC Contractor to reach a conclusion. What is the size and type of your home, walls, and windows? How many levels & how many square feet does your home have? How well insulated is your home? What is the condition of your basement and attic? These are some of the factors considered before determining the size of equipment needed for the home.

There is a general notion that an HVAC Contractor would get you to buy the most expensive HVAC system available. In fact, this wouldn’t help your HVAC Contractor at all! While a big system will work fast, they will do a poor job of removing enough moisture from the air. This means that the air intended to cool you off will leave you feeling sticky and humid instead. This humidity can lead to growth of mold and harmful bacteria inside your home!

A large system will also turn on and off several times. This is called short-cycling and it can effect the system adversely causing it to break down quicker, not to mention driving up the cost of your utility expense. Similarly, a system that’s too small will overwork itself in an attempt to heat or cool the entire space and suffer a break down quickly too. Therefore, selling you the biggest system would complicate not only your life but also the HVAC Contractor. They would frequently have to attend to needless service calls and faster-than-normal breakdowns. Since a professional HVAC Contractor relies largely on word-of-mouth for their jobs, treating each customer right and getting them the best system possible is their goal.

You should contact a qualified HVAC Contractor any time your heating, cooling or ventilation system is not working as desired, but in particular, there are several times when you need service ASAP. If your system stops working during days of extreme temperatures, it could lead to a potential health hazard. Call your HVAC Contractor so that he can fix the problem at the source. This way there will be less risk to the health of your family. Additionally an HVAC Contractor should be contacted a minimum of two (2) times per year, prior to each of the hot and cold seasons, where you will be needing to use your equipment. These two visits would include routine and regular maintenance and filter replacement. This will help to keep your system working at it’s optimum potential.

You can have your HVAC system serviced by any Heating and Air Contractor that you feel completely comfortable with and trust. Bacteria, dust, and fungus can collect in your home’s ductwork over a period of time, leading to aggravation of asthma and allergies. When the ducts are used, blowing air, dust from inside will also be blown out into the home, which increases your workload when you clean house as well as increasing health issues. Besides the ducts, other portions of the Heating and Cooling System need to be cleaned from accumulated dust and debris which cause the equipment to work ineffectively and or cause unnecessary breakdowns. If you get the entire system cleaned regularly by a Heating and Air Contractor, it will help the system run smoother, extending the lifespan of the equipment and lowering your heating or cooling bills.

It is essential that an experienced HVAC Contractor look over your entire HVAC system once every three to six months. Spring and fall tune-ups will prepare your system for the upcoming season of use, while adjustments made for peak efficiency during the off seasons will help keep your system running dependably. If your HVAC system is healthy, your home is bound to be cleaner and more comfortable. A system that’s kept in efficient working conditions with minimal strain will result in lower heating and cooling bills. Your HVAC Contractor will make sure that your system runs well.

Don’t be afraid to ask any HVAC contractor for references. You can also ask friends, familly and co-workers if they have had any good working experience with an HVAC contractor. They might be able to offer you some good leads. It’s always a good idea to call the Better Business Bureau to find out if a business or contractor has had any complaints reported as well as how any complaints were handled. While a complaint or two is common, any HVAC contractor that has a number of grievances filed against them is probably someone you should avoid doing business with.

Any contractor you plan to hire should be licensed, insured and bonded. An HVAC contractor is required to take specific tests to ensure they have the necessary skills before they are licensed. Any contractor should also carry workers comp and be bonded to protect you and your home from any damages.

Make sure there is a listing in your local phone book or internet search engine for any HVAC contractor you are thinking of hiring. An HVAC contractor should volunteer any contact information, including emergency contact numbers.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to accept the first estimate you get. You should talk with several HVAC contractors to get a number of quotes that you can compare. If you have doubts about any company continue your search until you find one that meets your needs and that you feel comfortable working with. Don’t simply accept the lowest bid because it seems like the cheapest offer. Have the contractor go over the estimate and show you how he is able to save you so much money. Don’t cut corners when it comes to equipment and installation, yet look for the bid that will give you the best deal for your money.

You need to hire a reliable HVAC contractor when it comes time to install a new system or perform work on your existing equipment. A reliable HVAC contractor will be knowledgable about his profession. An HVAC contractor should not keep you waiting if you have scheduled an appointment. If they are on an emergency call they should contact you to let you know. The quality of their business should be reflected in the cleanliness and neatness of their office and vehicles.

The lowest quote is not always your best option. You want the best bid and that’s one where you will get quality equipment and service at the best price. Your heating and cooling system is an important part of your home business. The HVAC contractor you hire should be there to help you keep it running successfully.