3 Questions a Good HVAC Contractor Can Answer
When working with an HVAC contractor, it’s expected that they’ll be able to answer any questions about air conditioning. Expected—but not guaranteed.
While some questions are good to ask to test the knowledge and expertise of the contractor, some are worth asking simply because asking now might save time and money later.
What size system is needed to cool a home efficiently?
The importance of this question is often not understood until it’s too late. Air conditioners that are not sized perfectly are either too big or too small. When that happens, the air conditioner can experience a few problems.
Short-cycling: An oversized unit will cool the home far too quickly, which results in the system rapidly turning on and off. Worst of all, the home will never actually reach the desired temperature, so it’s not a problem that can be overlooked.
Low Air Flow: An undersized unit will not be sufficient in cooling the home, but the results are nearly the same. The AC will run continuously without reaching the temperature on the thermostat, leading to inefficient energy usage.
Unfortunately, undersized and oversized units must be replaced. That’s why it’s so crucial to make sure that the contractor is using proper sizing methods before performing the installation.
What can be done to improve indoor air quality?
The answer depends on what the indoor air quality issues are. The best course of action would be to contact a Queens, NY HVAC contractor to test the quality of the air. There are several indoor air quality products, but not all of them serve the same purpose.
For example, excessively high or low humidity levels can create health hazards or damage to the home, and products exist to help balance those levels.
On the other hand, the biggest indoor air quality issues could be due to contaminants. These contaminants range from chemicals and dirt, to pet dander and bacteria. Standard air filters can help to remove these contaminants from the air circulation, but they’re less advanced than air purifiers. Air purifiers use electricity to capture contaminants, actively cleaning the air. Families with a history of allergies or asthma have been shown to greatly benefit from purifiers and filters.
Living microorganisms can affect anyone in the household, not just those susceptible to allergies. In this case, UV air purifiers work to prevent these contaminants from reproducing and will kill them in the process.
Is there a maintenance plan, and what are the benefits?
Maintenance is necessary one to two times a year, depending on how proactive the homeowner wants to be in extending the lifespan of their air conditioner. Instead of trying to stay accountable for maintenance schedules, many homeowners choose to sign up with a maintenance plan.
However, these plans aren’t just maintenance calls scheduled in advanced. A good maintenance plan will include several benefits, such as discounts on parts, no charges for overtime, and other perks.
Each contractor’s plan is different, but don’t ever accept a maintenance plan that doesn’t offer any kind of extra incentives.