The design and maintenance of your home’s central heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) can be complex. Hire a qualified HVAC contractor—and enjoy a safe and comfortable environment, which is both energy and cost-efficient. Hire the wrong HVAC contractor (who is usually the cheap contractor)—and you will pay the price over time in higher energy bills and lower air quality, which is uncomfortable and likely hazardous to your health.

Choosing, installing and servicing heating or cooling systems, is not for do-it-yourselfers. From furnaces to heat pumps and ductwork to air conditioners, HVAC work is specialized and varied—with a wide range of possible solutions for customizing your home’s unique system.

You can tell the difference between a quality HVAC contractor and one who cuts the wrong corners. A trustworthy contractor makes thorough calculations of your home upfront, before ever recommending your system solution. With thousands of models of HVAC equipment on the market, you need an expert who understands the intricacies of design and installation to provide the right system for your home.

A home’s heating and cooling requirements change over time. Whether you want to outfit an entire home, retrofit an existing home or fix an old furnace, the performance of your HVAC depends upon the HVAC contractor.

Compare to Qualify Your HVAC Contractor
Before shopping price, contact several contractors to compare their services and warranties. Ask about the experience and expertise of the technicians. Learn about the company and the value built into the prices.

Professionals with HVAC companies will come out to your home and provide an itemized estimate for free. Ask about specials or rebates for purchasing ENERGY STAR rated equipment.

Verify the contractor is state licensed and protected with liability insurance and worker’s compensation. Not all states require a license, so be diligent about researching background history and checking references. Laws regulating contractors are problematic for consumers—so do your homework before you hire.

Hire only an HVAC Contractor Who Performs a Heat Load Calculation
In order to properly design and size your heating and cooling equipment, a contractor must first do an upfront procedure—known in the industry as a Heat Load Calculation design or “Manual J.” If your contractor wants to give you an estimate, or begin installation, without first performing a Load Calculation—get another contractor.

The data, which a contractor gathers from performing a Load Calculation, is valuable. It can save you money and make your home safer and more energy efficient. You might find you actually need a smaller furnace than your old one or that some rooms will run more effectively with different sized piping or ductwork. A Heat Load Calculation analyzes your system needs based upon many factors—the size, layout and location of your home, as well as materials, insulation, windows and other considerations.

A quality HVAC contractor customizes your heating and cooling to run efficiently in every corner of your home.

Your upfront efforts to find the right pro will help to create a home that is comfortable and cost-efficient for years to come.

QUICK TIPS

• The design and maintenance of your home’s central heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) requires a qualified HVAC contractor.
• The wrong HVAC contractor is usually the cheapest—and costs you more over time with higher energy bills and lower air quality.
• Choosing, installing and servicing heating or cooling systems, is not for do-it-yourselfers.
• A trustworthy HVAC contractor makes thorough calculations of your home upfront, before ever recommending your system solution.
• The performance of your HVAC depends upon the HVAC contractor.
• Professionals with HVAC companies will come out to your home and provide an itemized estimate for free.
• Hire only a contractor who performs a Heat Load Calculation—to determine the size and design of your heating and cooling system needs.
• The best time to shop for an HVAC contractor is during the mild seasons between winter and summer.