FAQs

When selecting an HVAC contractor, their expertise and reliability often impact your satisfaction more than the brand of equipment chosen. A qualified contractor possesses the knowledge to recommend and properly size equipment for your specific needs. Ensure your chosen contractor is licensed, insured, and operates from a physical address with a dedicated office line. Verify that their training and credentials are current, as HVAC technology is constantly evolving, requiring technicians to stay updated on the latest advancements. Look for professionals with industry-recognized certifications, demonstrating their commitment to ongoing education and high standards of service. Don't hesitate to request referrals from previous clients; a reputable contractor will gladly provide them. By carefully vetting your HVAC professional, you can ensure a more satisfactory outcome for your heating and cooling needs.

What’s more important is getting the correct size of air conditioner or furnace. The goal should be to get the optimum size and features for your climate and your home. Bigger is not better. You also want to consider air quality, purification, installation, and ease of use.

This is where choosing the right contractor makes all the difference.  A qualified contractor will consider 3 main areas: the amount of area you have to heat/cool, the amount of heating and cooling required for your climate, and the condition of the “envelope” or part of your home or building that interfaces with the outside air. Within each of these categories, there are many factors that affect the load and equipment size. Know that we will factor in all the above and recommend a piece of equipment that will serve you well for years to come.

It’s important to have some understanding of ratings. The most common ratings are SEER, AFUE, and HSPF/COE.  For central air conditioners, efficiency is rated in SEER. The heating industry uses a rating called AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) to measure the efficiency of converting gas into energy for heating. Heat pump efficiency is expressed in a couple of ways, either HSP or COE.  We’ll discuss the ratings with you and help you determine the relationship between higher up-front costs and long-term savings through lower utility bills.

Changing your filters on a regular schedule is a good practice to adopt. Keep in mind that households are different so it is hard to give one hard rule. For example; if your household has pets and more occupants in the house, you’ll probably want to change your filters more frequently than a household that has one 1 or 2 occupants and no pets.  And keep in mind that the quality of the filter makes a big difference.  Remember “you get what you pay for” applies to air filters. Trying to save money on cheap filters means that you’re not getting the filtration that you need and you’ll probably spend a lot more on cleaning and maintenance. So make sure to use a high-quality filter. A good tip is to check your air filters once a month when you pay your utility bill.

Leaking ducts cause more than 20% of lost heating and cooling, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. If you are on a maintenance program with your air conditioning and heating company, leak detection could be included. If air ducts are located in a hot or cold space such as an attic, have the outside of the ducts insulated to reduce heat loss. Having leaky ducts saves wear and tear on both your heating and cooling equipment and lowers your monthly bills.

A ductless heat pump technology provides excellent energy savings.  A ductless heat pump has no ductwork.  Also referred to as a mini-split system, the ductless heat pump operates with two functioning units: an outside unit in conjunction with an indoor heating/cooling unit. The ductless heat pump provides hot or cold air directly to your room without ductwork.

A ductless heat pump offers extremely efficient operation, quiet operation, provides both heating and cooling, and is very simple to install.  Also, many local and regional rebates are available making it a superb choice for many homeowners.

No. The ductless heat pump has been used with great success commercially for many years. Most of the rest of the world heats with ductless heat pump technology because of its reliability and high efficiency.  Also, a ductless heat pump requires no ductwork so installation is quick and easy.

A ductless heat pump can replace existing electric baseboard/wall heaters and woodstoves. Often referred to as “the new electric heat” the ductless heat pump provides substantial cost savings to traditional forms of electric heat.  Home remodeling and room additions are another application for ductless heat pumps. Rather than extending the existing home’s ductwork or pipes, the ductless heat pump can provide effacing heating and cooling. New construction is a perfect application for ductless technology. Typically one or more systems might be installed in various “zones” of the house. Many homeowners, when given the choice, prefer a ductless heat pump. We are happy to do a side-by-side comparison for you to determine if a ductless system will fit your needs.