Hiring an HVAC contractor is not usually high on people’s preferred expenditures. Doing so certainly doesn’t have the same appeal as buying a new TV or tickets for a holiday getaway. That being said, having an HVAC contractor service your property’s systems is an investment in more ways than just financially. HVAC installation and maintenance are very involved processes, and we recommend looking to the professionals for the best results. 

Experience

Experience is really the bottom line for hiring an HVAC contractor. It ensures that your contractor knows what he’s doing during installation and maintenance and that the work is performed properly. The professionals stay current on all the different makes and models of HVAC units and really know the language of the systems. On top of that, a professional contractor will have all the right certifications, licenses, and permits to do work in your area and be familiar with local codes and regulations.

Someone With the Answers

Born of experience, HVAC contractors have the answers to your HVAC questions. A good HVAC contractor will be very open about your unit, explaining what is wrong and what needs to be done to fix the problem. In this way, you can better understand how your HVAC system works and how to take care of it. Hiring an HVAC contractor allows you to actually set yourself up for better success on how to service your own system. 

Safety

HVAC systems are a hive of electrical work, water storage, and heating elements. In the wrong hands, those are three ingredients for disaster. The units are also bulky and ungainly, and both installation and maintenance can be cumbersome and fastidious. It is wise to leave them to those who know the trade inside and out. Hiring an HVAC contractor and leaving the technical details to the professionals is a way to protect you, your unit, and your home. 

Preserve the Warranty

Hiring an HVAC contractor is a great way to make sure that your HVAC unit’s warranty remains intact. The terms and conditions of a warranty often stipulate that unprofessional servicing can invalidate it, so pause before you try to handle repairs on your own. A contractor’s work, especially installation, is often under warranty, so even if the professionals make a mistake, you are protected.

Save you Money

Can hiring an HVAC contractor save you money? Yes! When you opt for an HVAC contractor, you know the job will be done right the first time, meaning you can have big savings on the costs of repairing unnecessary damages. They also already have the tools and equipment necessary to do the job, which you would have to procure were you to do the work yourself.

Save you Time

If you need an air conditioner or furnace repaired or replaced, the chances are that you don’t have a ton of wiggle room before you’d like the service completed. Being without a working HVAC unit can leave your home not much warmer than your refrigerator or a big box baking in the sun. Don’t hesitate to call in your trusted HVAC contractor when things go amiss. 

HVAC contractors can make quick work of repairs for several reasons. Firstly, it is their job. They don’t have other professional priorities getting in the way of seeing the job done right away. The best contractors are on-call for emergencies. HVAC contractors also expedite repairs because they know exactly what they’re doing. Their professional experience makes sure they assess the issues quickly and handle them dexterously. 

Improves Your HVAC Unit’s Efficiency

While there are several at-home hacks for improving the efficiency of your furnace or air conditioner, the single most important way to do so is a correct installation. Proper installation is also a key component of extending your HVAC system’s longevity. To ensure that all the fittings are tight and that the ground under the unit is level, consider hiring an HVAC contractor so nothing is left to chance. A professional can make sure that the unit has the proper ventilation and no leaks.

Quality Equipment

Professional HVAC technicians have access to the best equipment—the highest quality systems and tools on the market. They have the connections and the expertise to know which units are going to be the best fit for your property, taking sizing, layout, and pre-existing systems into account. Hiring an HVAC contractor helps you be sure you don’t miss out on the best model or system for your home or business.

With summer on its way, it’s time to start thinking about pool parties, barbecues, and campouts around the fire. Summer has a carefree flare that can’t be spoiled by anything except perhaps a lack of air conditioning. Preparing your AC unit for the summer is an essential part of late-spring maintenance, for if your air conditioner is ready for the summer, the season is sure to be a blast. 

The Structure of Your AC

Most AC units have two basic parts: the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. The evaporator unit, installed inside, usually requires minimal cleaning. Light dusting, managed regularly, should be sufficient. The outdoor unit is called the condenser. This has many moving parts and is exposed to the elements all year long. Most of the work for preparing your AC unit for the summer involves cleaning and maintaining the condenser.

Preparing your AC unit for Summer

Preparing your AC unit is certainly not the most fun preparation you make for the summer, but it is a necessary one if you want to enjoy the season without overheating. It helps if you make preparing your AC unit a priority before the weather gets too warm. The following steps can make the job pass quickly. You can also leave the work to the professionals to make sure everything is done properly.

Safety First

The first step in preparing your AC unit for use is to turn it off. Even if you’re pretty sure the unit hasn’t used power through the winter, double check that everything is off at the source before starting any work.

Clean the Condensation and Coolant Lines

The condensation lines of your AC unit can fill with water that has no place to go when the unit hasn’t been in use for a while. Make sure these are clear before starting the unit up. You should also check the drain pan and pipe of the indoor evaporator. Sometimes these can become clogged with hard water.

The coolant lines and ducts will also need to be checked before you turn your air conditioner on. Make sure all passageways are clear and clean. Air should be able to flow freely through the entire system.

Clean or Replace the Filters

Both the condenser and evaporator units have filters that require regular maintenance. When these filters are dirty, the AC unit runs less efficiently, working doubly hard to push air through the mat of dirt and debris. This inefficiency leads to higher energy expenditure (and bills) and shortens the life of the air conditioner. It can also lead to the AC blowing particulates out into your home. Make sure you can see through your filters when you hold them up to the light. Clear away all buildup of dust and dirt.

Clean Condenser Coils

These essential components of your air conditioner should be cleaned thoroughly before the unit is used. Use a gentle foaming cleanser for the task. 

Clean the Fins

The individual metal pieces that form the grill on the external unit are called fins. They need to be clean in order for air to pass through them easily. That being said, you must use great caution when cleaning your air conditioner’s fins, for they bend easily. The air conditioner can only function optimally if the fins are straight. Check your AC’s fins, and straighten any bent ones with a fin comb.

Clean Around the AC Unit

In order to function properly, your AC unit must have access to free-flowing air. This is true of both the internal and external units, though it is perhaps especially important for the condenser. Make sure that your AC unit has plenty of room for air to flow freely around it. Clear away any piles of leaves or discarded children’s toys, and make sure that the grass and shrubs on your property are not too tall or too close.

Make Sure Your Unit Is Level

When preparing your AC unit, make sure the concrete slab on which it sits is level. Uneven slabs can lead to water pooling around the unit, compromising its effectiveness. 

Enjoy the Breeze

Once you have completely finished inspecting and preparing your AC unit, you can turn your thermostat back on and set it to cool. Then you can enjoy the benefits of cool air during the hot months.

Your furnace is an essential component of keeping your home a comfortable place to live. It can only do that if it is functioning properly. While furnace repair is a necessary part of having a unit, some issues may necessitate that you replace your furnace. 

How Long Do Furnaces Typically Last?

The lifespan of a furnace depends on a number of factors. Furnaces that don’t have to work as frequently or deal with as many environmental pressures commonly last longer than units that are in constant use. A unit that isn’t a good fit for the home it is in, perhaps because it is too small to heat a big house or doesn’t have the proper ventilation, will also have a shorter lifespan. 

Regular maintenance is a good way to preserve the lifespan of a furnace. This includes even simple things like regularly cleaning out the filters or replacing the fan blades as they wear down. As a general rule, furnaces are good for about 15–20 years. Some of the newer highly efficient models may even last up to 30 if they are treated with kit gloves. Because furnaces usually come with a house, it is wise to check when yours was installed pretty early on so you know what to expect. 

Knowing When It’s Time to Replace Your Furnace

Knowing when to replace your furnace can be a delicate call since it is no small process or expenditure. However, there are some signs that can help you know the end is in sight. Pay attention to these as they arise so you won’t be left with an emergency replacement situation. 

Frequent Maintenance Calls

If you have to call in the professionals on a semi-regular basis, it might be time to have your furnace replaced. Frequently servicing your furnace is both time-consuming and disruptive to your lifestyle. Living on the edge of your seat, not knowing when the furnace will fail again, is no way to live. Replacing your furnace can provide peace of mind, knowing that your home is warmed without a catch. 

If you have to call in the HVAC technician several times a year for furnace repairs, it may actually be more cost-efficient to replace your furnace. Carefully weigh the cost of repairs and the mental toll of not knowing when your unit will die against the sticker price of a new furnace. 

Higher Energy Bills 

An uptick in your energy bill may indicate a furnace that is running less efficiently. Sometimes this can be addressed with maintenance, but it may also mean that you need to replace your furnace.

Uneven Temperatures 

When a furnace is on its last legs, it tends to heat the home unevenly. You may even notice that some rooms don’t get heated at all. Check first that the vents are not covered and that your ductwork doesn’t have leaks, but if your furnace is producing cool air, that’s a red flag. 

Spitting Out Dust

The air coming from your furnace should be warm and clean. Sometimes, however, when a furnace is old and no filter changes can stop it from expelling dust, dirt, and debris into your home, it’s a warning sign that the unit is on its way out.

Unusually Loud or Quiet

Furnaces have a normal level of sound output, both when they are running and when they are idle. A noisy furnace is not a good sign. Clicking usually indicates that the flame sensor or ignitor is struggling while rattling may mean loose ducts or something worse. Call in a professional to take a peek if your furnace gets too chatty.

Humidity Problems 

Sometimes a furnace on its way out may cause humidity issues in a home. If you notice that your furniture or musical instruments are unnaturally dry or that you experience an abnormal number of static shocks, you might need to replace your furnace.

Leaking Carbon Monoxide

Cracks in a furnace’s heat exchanger can allow carbon monoxide to leak into your home. This is a non-negotiable problem as carbon monoxide is highly toxic and fatal if inhaled too much. If you experience nausea or headaches near your furnace, open all the windows immediately and call in the professionals. 

Evident Damage

Some damage, like cracks, rust, or corrosion, may not be worth the hassle to repair and subsequent diminished efficiency. If you notice any of these signs on your furnace, start looking for a new one. 

A Professional Opinion

As mentioned above, it is important to replace your furnace before the need reaches emergency status. If you are in doubt about any of the signs mentioned above, let a professional assess the situation. A member of our Energy Masters team can look over your unit and offer you an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating. If your unit is performing below optimal levels (around 80% for mid-efficiency furnaces and closer to 90% or high-efficiency units), we can help you decide what needs to be done and if it really is time to replace your furnace.