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Web : Tony Lotspeich

There are several factors to keep in mind when selecting and working with a heating and cooling (HVAC) contractor. The following tips can help you make an educated decision and receive quality service:

Ask for a certified HVAC technician.

Your contractor should be licensed, well trained, and experienced to provide quality installations. Ask your contractor about his or her training, experience, and membership in contractor associations. Ask if he is insured and licensed.

Good contractors own and use refrigerant recovery equipment and are certified to handle refrigerant in cooling systems. Ask for proof of certification if applicable to your state.

Contractors should know how to properly size your home heating and cooling system (e.g., determine whether you need a two-ton or three-ton cooling system). Don't use a contractor who wants to size your unit solely on the square footage of your house. Contractors should calculate equipment size using computer software or professional guidelines such as the Air Conditioning Contractors of America's "Manual J." To gather necessary information, the contractor should spend at least a half hour poking around your house, taking measurements, and asking questions. He or she needs to measure ceilings, floors, windows, and walls, and check insulation throughout the home. Systems that have been sized properly to fit your home provide better humidity control, cycle on and off less frequently, and cost less than oversized systems. 

Ask your contractor to inspect your ducts for leaks, incomplete connections, and compatibility with the rest of your system. Ideally, your contractor should use diagnostic equipment and fix leaks using a quality duct sealant (duct tape is not sufficient). He or she may also recommend changes to your duct system. Since as much as 30% of the efficiency of your system is a result of your duct work, overlooking duct improvements may compromise comfort and cost you money.

Your air conditioner or heat pump condenser should always match the indoor coil. Your contractor should replace both coils at the same time for maximum efficiency.

Have your contractor select an install location that provides for ease of maintenance. Make sure the inside coil can be reached for cleaning. Depending on the model, the contractor may need to install an access panel. The coil should be cleaned every two years. The air filter should also be easy to remove and should be cleaned or changed whenever it is dirty. (This can be monthly during peak season.)

If possible, have the contractor place outside air conditioning units on the north or east side of the house, out of direct sunlight. Leave plenty of room for free air flow on all sides, and at least four feet at the top. Keep the area free of debris and shrubbery.

Always obtain a written contract or proposal before allowing your contractor to install a new system and be sure to ask about warranties.

Remember, the contractor who gives you the lowest bid may not be the best choice for you. Paying slightly more may get you better equipment and better service. Carefully evaluate a contractor's proposal to ensure you get the equipment and service that best meets your needs.

Most contractors offer maintenance agreements to keep your system run smoothly for years to come. Also ask about the warranty length, what it covers and if there are extended labor warranties available.

Be sure to ask your HVAC contractor about ENERGY STAR®-Labeled Heating and Cooling Products!

Advanced Reciprocating Compressor - Type of compressor that uses a more efficient process for compressing refrigerant for better cooling efficiency.

AFUE - Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. Indicated as a percentage, your furnace’s AFUE tells you how much energy is being converted to heat. For example, an AFUE of 90 means that 90% of the fuel is being used to warm your home, while the other 10% escapes as exhaust with the combustion gases.

BTU - British Thermal Unit. Used for both heating and cooling, BTU is a measure of the heat given off when fuel is combusted. One BTU is equal to the heat given off by one wooden kitchen match.

Capacity - The ability of a heating or cooling system to heat or cool a given amount of space. For heating, this is usually expressed in BTU’s. For cooling, it is usually given in tons.

Compressor - Part of a split system heat pump or air conditioner’s outdoor unit that controls the pressure applied to the refrigerant, necessary for taking in heat to warm your home or getting rid of heat to keep your home cool.

Condenser Coil - Part of a split-system air conditioner or heat pump. By converting refrigerant that is in a gas form back to a liquid, the coil sends heat carried by the refrigerant to the outside.

Damper - A type of "valve" used in ductwork that opens or closes to control airflow. Used in zoning to control the amount of warm or cold air entering certain areas of your home.

Down flow - A type of furnace that takes cool air from the top and blows warm air to the bottom - common when your furnace must be located in a second-floor closet or utility area.

Electronic Air Cleaner (EAC) - An electronic device that filters out large particles and contaminants in indoor air. It then electronically pulls out tiny particles that have been magnetized, such as viruses and bacteria, drawing them to a collector plate.

HVAC - Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning

Load Estimate - A series of studies performed to determine the heating or cooling requirements of your home. An energy load analysis uses information such as the square footage of your home, window and door areas, insulation quality and local climate to determine the heating and cooling capacity needed by your furnace, heat pump or air conditioner.

Evaporator Coil - Part of a split system air conditioner or heat pump located indoors. The evaporator coil cools and dehumidifies the air by converting liquid refrigerant into a gas, which absorbs the heat from the air. The warmest refrigerant is then carried through a tube to the outdoor unit (condenser coil).

Fan Coil - An indoor component of a heat pump system, used in place of a furnace, to provide additional heating on cold days when the heat pump does not provide adequate heating.

HSPF - The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor is a measure of the heating efficiency of a heat pump. The higher the HSPF number, the more efficiently the heat pump heats your home.

Horizontal Flow - A type of furnace, installed on its "side," that draws in air from one side, heats it and sends the warm air out the other side. Most often used for installations in attics or crawl spaces.

Humidifier - A piece of equipment that adds water vapor to heated air as it moves out of the furnace. This adds necessary moisture to protect your furnishings and reduce static electricity.

Matched System - A heating and cooling system comprised of products that have been certified to perform at promised comfort and efficiency levels when used together, and used according to design and engineering specifications.

Operating Cost - The day-to-day cost of running your home comfort equipment, based on energy use.

Payback Analysis - Overall measure of the efficiency and value of your home comfort system. By combining your purchase price and ongoing operating costs, a payback analysis determines the number of years required before monthly energy savings offset the purchase price.

Reclaiming - Returning used refrigerant to the manufacturer for disposal or reuse.

Reciprocating Compressor - A type of compressor used in air conditioners that compress refrigerant by using a type of "piston" action.

Recycling - Removing, cleaning and reusing refrigerant.

SEER - The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is a measure of the cooling efficiency of your air conditioner or heat pump. The higher the SEER number, the more efficient the system is at converting electricity into cooling power.

Scroll Compressor - A specially designed compressor that works in a circular motion versus. an up and down piston action.

Setback Thermostat - A state-of-the-art electronic thermostat with a built-in memory that can be programmed for different temperature settings at different times of the day.

Split System - Refers to an air conditioner or heat pump that has components in two locations. Usually, one part of the system is located inside (evaporator coil) and the other is located outside your home (condenser coil).

Thermostat - Unit that monitors and controls your HVAC system products.

Ton - A unit of measure for cooling capacity. One ton=12,000 BTUs per hour.

Total Home Comfort System - The ultimate solution to providing you with consistent, customized home comfort, despite the ever-changing weather.

Up flow - A type of furnace that draws cool air from the bottom and blows the warmed air out the top into the duct work. This type of furnace is usually installed in a basement or an out-of-the-way closet.

Ventilator - A ventilator captures heating or cooling energy from stale indoor air and transfers it to fresh incoming air.

Zoning - A way to increase your home comfort and energy efficiency by controlling when and where heating and cooling occurs in a home. Programmable thermostats are used to control operating times of the equipment. Dampers are used to direct airflow to certain parts or "zones" of the home.