When you’re buying HVAC equipment, online deals can quickly turn sour. Typically, an online deal is possible because it bypasses the middleman. But with HVAC equipment, an HVAC technician is the key to a good experience. Here’s why:

• Selection. Most homeowners do not have the expertise to select the very best heating and cooling equipment for their situation. While efficiency ratings can help guide you toward energy-saving equipment, choosing the ideal system for your home involves a lot more than checking that rating. Choosing a low-quality brand, for instance, can result in higher long-term costs as repair bills stack up. Other selection factors your local HVAC contractor can help you with: the type of system that’s best for your home (heat pump or furnace?); strategies for dealing with hard-to-heat rooms (ductless mini-split or radiant floor heat?); and making your new equipment part of a larger energy-savings plan.
• Sizing and installation. For your HVAC equipment to operate efficiently once it’s installed, you should first have it sized to match your home’s heating and cooling load. This requires the help of an expert, who will take into account factors such as your home’s total heat gain and insulation levels. Further, many local contractors will decline to install equipment purchased online, because they cannot vouch for its quality. Ultimately, poor sizing and installation hinder savings down the line, so don’t eliminate the middleman during this portion of the upgrade process.
• Warranty. A warranty can make or break your experience when buying HVAC equipment. Most reputable manufacturers will not warranty any equipment purchased online, because they can’t affirm the quality of equipment purchased from unauthorized dealers.

When buying HVAC equipment, the middleman is essential. Without expert help, you could end up with improperly selected and sized equipment, leading to higher costs down the line.

 

Buying HVAC equipment? Get professional help, and use a local expert. Doing so will ensure that you get the best equipment possible, with high-quality installation service to maximize your investment. For help, contact Home Comfort Experts. We serve Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.

If you have switched to a heat pump or are upgrading your current one, you can boost heat pump performance by ensuring that your HVAC system has the appropriate airflow, that your air ducts don’t leak, and that your heat pump’s refrigerant is correctly charged.

 

Heat pumps are an energy efficient home-comfort system choice, able to produce as much as three times more heat energy than it consumes in electricity to operate, according to the Energy Savers program. However, Energy Savers estimates that as many as 50 percent of these systems have problems with airflow, duct leakage and refrigerant charge, each of which can hinder performance.

 

Some tips for boosting your heat pump performance:

• Airflow. The general rule for appropriate airflow for heat pump systems is at least 400 cubic feet per minute (cfm) for every ton of air conditioning. If the system falls below 350 cfm, system performance and energy efficiency suffer, decreasing your energy savings potential. Be sure that your contractor checks the system’s fan speed so that it will meet the necessary airflow capacity.
• Ducts. Often, a home’s ductwork will leak, causing conditioned air to escape as air flows through the ducts, a factor that can and will affect airflow. Further, leaky ducts can cause your energy bills to rise by wasting conditioned air. Your contractor should evaluate your ductwork system and test it for leaks. When homeowners fix leaky ducts, airflow often improves.
• Refrigerant. Most residential heat pumps are packaged systems, meaning the indoor and outdoor units are purchased together as a matched system. Packaged systems are charged on-site at the factory, often with an inadequate refrigerant charge. Upon installation in your home, make sure your contractor checks the system’s refrigerant charge, making adjustments as necessary.

Get the most out of your system, and boost heat pump performance. Have your heating and cooling technician ensure that your system’s airflow, ductwork and refrigerant charge are at optimal levels. Contact Home Comfort Experts today for high-quality service and installation. We proudly serve Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan and stand behind our service with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.

 

When dust gets out of control, it can make your home look neglected — worse, it can affect your health, too. By following a few simple tips and maintaining a regular cleaning schedule, you can control dust in your home, improve your home’s indoor air quality and give yourself the upper hand. (more…)