Who’s Actually Installing Your HVAC Equipment?

This is a question most folks don’t think about when purchasing new heating and cooling equipment for their home. It is of crucial importance because if a crew of low skilled or non-caring technicians installs your equipment; you will have serious issues down the road if not at start up.

Do I have your attention?

The friendly smiling salesperson most likely will not be installing your equipment. He is paid to sell and that is what salespeople do – sell, not install or service. (A few do, not many.)

Ask your sales person who will be installing your equipment.

The technicians should:

·        have at least several years of experience installing the brand and type of equipment that you purchased.

·        should be North American Technical Excellence(N.A.T.E) certified in your type of equipment and have factory training.

·        have a reputation in the company as being “picky” and taking pride in all his/her work.

·        have all the tools required to perform the job correctly

·        always clean up after themselves and protect your property by wearing shoe cover and laying down floor protection.

·        Answer any questions you have and explain their plan to you before starting the job.

 

You as the homeowner really don’t know what is correct and what is not. A lot of companies will take “short-cuts” that will have an impact on your comfort and the efficiency and longevity of your equipment. This is very scary! Buyer beware! The lowest price is usually not the best choice.

 

You can sway the odds in your favor by doing a little homework in advance. Plan for your replacement and not wait for a major breakdown. What we recommend is:

1.      Find a contractor that has a great reputation (not that they advertise a lot or are a large company). Ask friends, neighbors, co-workers etc. for their input. You can also check BBB, Angie’s List, etc., but know that the contractors pay these folks to be listed so they can be biased.

2.      Be sure the company is insured and licensed. You can go online to the State Board of Contractors to find out if they are licensed. Ask for a copy of their insurance. If they don’t have insurance – YOU may be stuck with the bill! If a worker gets hurt on your property, it is YOUR problem and you can be sued if the contractor does not have Workman’s Compensation insurance.

3.      If your job requires a city permit, be sure the contractor pulls it and not YOU. If you pull the permit, the job liability is YOUR problem now and not the contractor. It is not worth the couple of hundred dollars you might save by doing this yourself.

4.      Have an idea of what type of equipment you want or need. The more efficient the equipment; the more it costs upfront. More efficient equipment cost the contractor more and they pass that cost onto you. The energy efficiency beginning level for AC and heat pumps is now 14 SEER which is pretty darn good.  It was 10 SEER in 1992 and then 13 SEER in 2006 until recently this year. (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating is how all HVAC equipment is rated across the board.)

5.      It is a good idea to get three quotes. If you have contractor you trust and feel good with, then stay with them, but it never hurts to check.

6.      Be realistic in your expectations of cost. Nothing is free and nothing worth owning is cheap.

7.      Spring and Fall usually have manufacturer rebates that can help with costs on mid to higher end equipment.

 

Hopefully this article is of some use to you. If you have any questions, please feel comfortable in contacting us for more information.

 

757-421-9790 * www.allseasonshvac.net * allseasonshvac@cox.net

Tips on a New System Purchase

Spring Blog – Time for a New System?

 

Mid-March through May 31st is the time of year many new heating and cooling systems are sold and installed. This is a good time because the weather usually cooperates and neither heating nor cooling is needed or not unbearable if it is out for a few days.

 

There are few things homeowners should be aware of when making the decision to replace their systems.

 

Some things you should be made aware of:

·        It is usually better to plan for a replacement rather than to wait for it to breakdown on the hottest or coldest day of the year. It can take days or weeks if during the busiest service months to get a new system installed and then you may be rushed into a poor decision.

·        Just because your system is still operating, doesn’t mean it is should not or does not need to be replaced. Many older (12 years and older) are just not very efficient and have lost some of their capacity to heat and cool your home effectively. They are subject to breakdowns anytime and more so if they have not been properly and routinely maintained. These “older systems” are actually costing you more money that you could be putting toward a new system.

·        A new system that is correctly sized and installed will give you greater comfort and save you a little money on your utility bills along with improved reliability.

·        All HVAC companies are NOT equal in talent and abilities

·        Installation skill of the technicians installing your system is of key importance. You need a skilled team to insure your system is installed correctly and that they follow the manufacturer instructions and not take short cuts. These companies are generally more expensive because their employees are well trained and use state of the art equipment and techniques.

·        A “low ball” price will usually not insure quality and cost you much more money in the long run.

·        Short cuts shorten the life of your equipment and cause comfort issues and safety issues.

·        Brands are not as important as a quality  installation

·        Ask for North American Technical Excellence (N.A.T.E) or Refrigerant Service Engineer Society or Air Conditioning Contractor of America Certified Technicians as well as State licensed Journeyman or Master Technicians to perform your work. These folks have passed rigorous testing that shows they have the knowledge to perform your installation of service correctly. The techs will have a card that shows their certifications.

·        Ductwork is important. If you have ductwork that is in poor condition or not designed well, put your money there first. The top-of-line equipment will NEVER work as it was intended and you will not be happy with the results with poor duct work. You can’t see duct work (unless you crawl under your house, in between floors, or into your attic), but it delivers the air to all your living spaces and it is why you may have drastic temperature differences between rooms, excessive dust issue, and some health issues.

·        You will be much better off getting a less efficient system with great duct work rather than a top efficiency system with poor duct work.

 

Hopefully the above tips will be of some value to you when the time come for you to plan for a new comfort system.

Now is a Great Time to Replace Your Old Inefficient Heating and Cooling System!

Don’t put it off another year praying and hoping it will last! All of us want to spend our money on something else other than our heating and cooling systems. A new 60” TV, a new boat, car, clothes, ATV, a vacation, anything but a new heating and cooling system, right!?

Any heating and cooling system that is older than 12 years old needs to be considered for replacement. If you are having repeated repairs, or if your utility bills have gotten out of hand, and your system is way out of warranty, now is the best time to replace it. I know, I know, it does cost a lot of money to replace a heating and cooling system, but it is a necessary evil of owning a home. Just like your roof or appliances, your heating and cooling equipment has a useful life and when it reaches a certain age and condition, it must be replaced.

The fall and spring are the best times to have a system replaced because of the different promotions going on. Most manufacturers have rebate or financing programs that will save you hundreds of dollars, some utility companies offer rebates as incentives to purchase higher efficiency models, and there are still a few Federal Tax Credits available as well.

All Seasons has special promotions in addition to the above money saving promotions. Check out our “specials” tab.

A word of caution, all companies are not the same. The best companies train and certify their technicians on an ongoing basis to offer you the best possible service and expertise. You should ask for a certificate of insurance to be certain the company is licensed and insured. Make sure the company has workers' compensation insurance because if a worker gets hurt on your property, you can be held responsible if they do no have workers' compensation insurance. Remember if they do not have a business license or are not insured; you will be stuck with their workmanship or lack of it with no recourse. Most HVAC companies are excellent and honest, but there are a few that are not. Be smart and do your homework so you are not one of the horror stories that you hear about.