When seeking a new contractor, ask loved ones for referrals. They'll often have already had someone in for similar work and will know who to trust and who to avoid. If your family hasn't used anyone, ask co-workers or other people you trust in your community for some references.
Look for discounts wherever possible. HVAC systems can be rather costly, so you'll want to seek out whatever discounts and deals that may be out there. When shopping around, ask about any current specials running, and look for discounts that are related to ENERGY STAR compliance. Both can save you a lot of cash.
Be sure to get every quote or estimate in written form. You have no recourse on a verbal agreement, so a written contract is a must. This will allow you to follow up if something goes wrong or you don't get what you were promised, protecting you from shady contractors.
Before you ever begin looking for an HVAC contractor, first consider the entire job that you'll need completed. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. If you do not know what you want, the process can become tedious, especially over the phone. Know this stuff ahead of time.
If you want to know where you should put an outdoor compressor, you should place it somewhere where there is a lot of shade. This will limit the work that it has to do.
If you currently have a manual thermostat, consider installing a programmable one. You can set your system for different temperatures depending on time of day and if anyone is home. Also, you can set upper and lower temperature settings to allow for a comfortable range of temperatures so that heating and cooling don't kick in when not needed.
Be sure to check your evaporator coil drains frequently when your air conditioner is running. If this tube backs up, you can find water damage to your walls, ceilings and floors. If you end up with mold just use a solution of bleach and water to clean out the tube.
Get an estimate before agreeing to have any work done on your HVAC unit. This will help keep you from being surprised by a bill at the end. Any reputable technician should be able to look at your unit, determine the problem and give you an estimate as to how much it will cost to fix it.
Make sure that the HVAC contractor you plan to hire does not use subcontractors to do their work. Many people use this as an excuse to shirk their responsibility in here the event that something goes wrong when your system is being worked on. Only allow this if there is a note in the contract about what will happen if there is an issue.
If your home gets hot in the summer and you'd like to use your air conditioner less often, consider a metal roof. It reflects the heat right back up into the sky, allowing your home to gain less heat on sunny days. Since metal roofs are permanent, you'll save on repair and replacement costs also.
If you plan on having a service on your HVAC unit, ask the technician what he will be doing. Any thorough service should consist of several things. The technician should check temperature levels, pressures, amperage draw, and coolant levels. They should adjust any belts that need it and clean the coils.
Do not close your vents. Keep air vents open and unblocked at all times. Many people believe that closing off a vent will save them money on cooling costs. This is not true. It can actually damage your HVAC system. Closing vents can cause your cooling coil to freeze and damage the compressor.
For top efficiency, figure out what direction your home faces. Trees placed in the right places can keep the sun from heating your home too much. The less heat, the easier time the air conditioner in your home will have.
Each contractor establishes his own fees, so before you hire one, obtain a few estimates. You can save quite a bit of money when you call different companies for price quotes. It is best to speak to several contractors so that you know which rates are reasonable.
As stated in the above article, it is very important to you and your home to have a properly running HVAC system. Without it functioning right, it can lead to a very expensive fix and a big headache for you. Don't let this happen to you! Use the tips here to make sure your HVAC system lasts as long as you own your home.
