10 Tips for Hiring a Heating and Cooling Contractor
1. Study up — Find out about license and insurance requirements for contractors in Utah. And before you call a contractor, know the model of your current system and its maintenance history. Also make note of any uncomfortable rooms. This will help potential contractors better understand your heating needs.
2. Ask for referrals — Ask friends, neighbors, and co-workers for contractor referrals. You can also contact local trade organizations for names of members in your area.
3. Call references — Ask contractors for customer references and call them. Ask about the contractor's installation or service performance, and if the job was completed on time and within budget.
4. Find special offers — A heating and cooling system is one of the largest purchases you'll make as a homeowner. Keep your costs down by checking around for available rebates on energy-efficient ENERGY STAR qualified heating and cooling equipment. Begin your search at www.energystar.gov.
5. Look for ENERGY STAR — ENERGY STAR qualified products meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and offer significant long-term energy savings. Contractors should be able to show you calculations of savings for ENERGY STAR heating and cooling equipment.
6. Expect a home evaluation — The contractor should spend significant time inspecting your current system and home to assess your needs. A bigger system isn't always better; a contractor should size the heating and cooling system based on the size of your house, level of insulation, and windows. A good contractor will inspect your duct system (if applicable) for air leaks and insulation and measure airflow to make sure it meets manufacturers specifications.
7. Get written, itemized estimates — When comparing contractors' proposals (bids), be sure to compare cost, energy efficiency and warranties. A lowest price may not be the best deal if it's not the most efficient because your energy costs will be higher.
8. Get it in ink — Sign a written proposal with a contractor before work gets started. It'll protect you by specifying project costs, model numbers, job schedule and warranty information.
9. Pass it on — Tell friends and family about ENERGY STAR. Almost one-quarter of households knowingly purchased at least one qualified product last year, and 71% of those consumers say they would recommend ENERGY STAR to a friend. Spread the word, and we can all make a big difference.
10. Get the ENERGY STAR Guide — For complete information on keeping your home comfortable year-round, get the ENERGY STAR Guide to Energy Efficient Cooling and Heating PDF (2.6 MB) en espanol — Guía para la Eficiencia de Energía en la Calefacción y el Aire AcondicionadoPDF (2.5MB) or 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).
Source: www.energystar.gov
Air Conditioning and Heat Installation Best Left to Experts
Author: Roland Jefferson
This interesting article addresses some of the key issues regarding air conditioning and heat installation. A careful reading of this material could make a big difference in how you think about air conditioning and heat installation.
Air Conditioning And Heat Installation Best Left To Experts
The basic theory of heating and cooling a house or building is based on the knowledge that cold air is heavier than warm air and settles near the bottom of any space. With this information in hand, air conditioning and heating installation has been studied to gain the most efficiency of modern equipment. Typically, under the name of HVAC, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, engineers look at a building and determine the best path for the tempered air to take.
When heating units were first installed in homes and buildings, they counted on gravity to circulate the air. Furnaces were placed in the bottom of a building with ductwork installed to carry the heat to the upper level. As the air in the upper levels cooled, it was moved by gravity through separate, cold air ducts, back to the furnace where it would begin its cycle over. Using that theory, air conditioning and heating installation contractors can design a system to utilize gravity, as well as forced air movement, to maintain a building�s comfort level.
Depending on the heat source of a furnace, most communities regulate who is allowed to install furnaces, requiring either a licensed electrician or certified plumber to complete the air conditioning and heating installation to insure it will present no danger to the building's occupants. While just about anyone can fasten parts into place, not only is the efficiency in jeopardy, a faulty air conditioning and heating installation can also put the people in danger.
Appropriate Venting Required On All Units
On all issues of air conditioning and heating installation, proper venting has to be considered to maintain safety as well as to improve efficiency of the units. Improper venting of a heating system can allow toxic gases such as carbon monoxide to escape into the interior air. Even the smallest leak of this gas can prove deadly to the occupants.
With air conditioning, for every inch of air cooled, another inch is heated and unless it is handled properly, the unit will not work efficiently. During air conditioning and heating installation there is always a means to have to hot air produced by the air conditioner vented away from the area being cooled, to allow for more efficiency. Without the proper venting of the heated air, the conditioner is simply cooling the same amount of air it is heating and not being productive to account for the energy used.
You may not consider everything you just read to be crucial information about air conditioning and heat installation but don't be surprised if you find yourself recalling and using this very information in the next few days.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/accessories-articles/air-conditioning-and-heat-installation-best-left-to-experts-181842.html
About the Author:
Roland Parris Jefferson III is a Private online researcher based out of Los Angeles, California. For free tips, guides and expert advice covering air conditioning, please visit our Air Conditioning And Heat Installation Best Left To Experts Resource.
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