8 Questions to Ask Before an HVAC Installation

It’s pretty basic to ask the right questions when deciding on a reliable Northern California HVAC contractor. You need to find a reputable, honest, and qualified technician. You don’t want a contractor that is pushy, tries to oversell, or generally makes you uncomfortable. We’ve all seen The Cable Guy.

These are a few questions you should ask the HVAC company:

1. What unit size should I purchase?

It is important to get the right sized HVAC system for your house. Air conditioner runs the risk of frequent breaking down if it is too small and needs to run constantly. Conversely, a too large of an AC will not remain on long enough for properly circulating air in the house.

The size of air conditioners, heat pumps and furnaces are generally measured in tons. This doesn’t have anything to do with the unit’s weight. Instead, it is just the measure of the number of tons of ice the unit can melt in 24 hours. The general rule of thumb when purchasing air conditioners is 1 ton for every 500 feet of floor area.

2. Is the new system efficient?

SEER rating is used for measuring the efficiency of an HVAC system. This refers to the produced amount of cooling divided by the energy used. You should ask the contractor how this translates into energy savings.

3. Is this is the latest technology?

You can assess whether the contractor is up-to-date with the latest advancements made. Ask the contractor about different types of thermostats (smart thermostats in particular) and ductless systems for determining if they know what they are doing.

4. What type of brands do you service and sell?

Asking about the brands the HVAC technician specializes in will tell you whether they are trying to push any particular brand. It will also help you save money since sometimes you are just paying for the brand name and not for quality improvement.

5. What are the payment terms?

New HVAC system is a major home improvement investment and quite expensive. You should ask the contractor whether they offer any payment plan. This plan could be as simple as allowing you to pay for the AC overtime or using a credit card.

6. Are there any guarantees or warranty in the new system?

You should find out the kind of guarantees that come with the equipment and work. These guarantees can be in the form of installer or manufacturer guarantee.

7. Can the current air ducts be used with the new system?

You can save a lot of money by using your existing air ducts. This is unless you are considering a ductless HVAC system. Ask the contractor about the shape of the existing ductwork. Ask them if they will help you find a system that works with the existing setup for cost-savings. You can identify whether the contractor is honest and reliable by judging their response.

8. Will this installation provide any tax rebates or credits?

You can significantly reduce the project cost by getting a tax credit or rebate for the HVAC installation. Manufacturers may provide rebates for the product. The government provides tax breaks when you use energy efficient systems and in this inflationary environment tax breaks are even more awesome. Reliable contractors are usually aware about these discounts and should be able to help you with an upfront answer.

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