If you happened to catch the scathing report on heating and cooling contractors on the Today Show and Dateline in July and August, you may be wondering how to keep from being taken advantage of by unscrupulous heating and cooling companies. Obviously, we would recommend calling us at Home Comfort Heating, Furnace Repair and AC Experts. But we also want to share some general tips to help you know what to look for when comparing.
Start by asking around. Obviously, your friends, family and neighbors are all people you can trust and can tell you about their experiences (good or bad) with local heating and cooling companies.
Use the Internet. Almost all companies have a website that will give you tons of great information. You can research anything you want. You’ll see if they have guarantees, offer upfront pricing, if their technicians are NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certified, etc. Don’t forget to check that they are licensed and insured.
Make Sure They are Up to Date with Technology. Ask them about the new high-efficiency furnaces and air conditioners. They should be able to tell you why they are better, how they operate, and be able to explain why they would recommend one over the other for your home. A good contractor should even be able to calculate your energy savings.
Expect an Inspection. If a heating and cooling company gives you a quote over the phone, be wary. A quality company will want to perform a heat-load and/or cooling-load calculation and check your duct work, current system, etc.
Get Several Quotes. Don’t be afraid to call and ask several companies to give you an estimate. Many times, price isn’t the only factor. You may find after speaking to several companies that you just get a better gut feeling from one or another. Follow your instincts.
Ask for Referrals. A good heating and cooling company who treats their customers right and does a good job with service should have no problem giving you a couple of customers to contact. Ask them about the service, the price, anything you want to know. You’ll get great information straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak.
Get Written Estimates. Make sure you compare apples to apples and don’t forget to factor in cost, energy efficiency and warranties.
Of course, Home Comfort Experts does all of these things and passes all the tests necessary. Please feel free to recommend us to your friends and family after you have used our services and are happy with the results. We perform heating and cooling in Plymouth, IN and the surrounding Indiana area and we value your business.
Did you know that if you replace your furnace after May 1, 2013, you will be required by the Department of Energy to replace it with a 90% high-efficiency furnace? In 2007, Congress passed the Energy Security and Independence Act also known as the “2007 Energy Bill”. This bill allowed the DOE to set regional standards for air conditioner and furnace installation. Here in the North Region, a furnace with a 90% AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating is required. Most furnaces currently have a 78% AFUE or less.
So what does that mean for you? Basically, it means you will have to install a high-efficiency furnace. There are several concerns/changes with these newer models. They fall into three main categories:
1. Space constraints
The newer units are larger than the traditional models. This could cause problems when trying to fit it into the space allotted in your home. If the unit doesn’t fit, you may have to relocate it to another place possibly requiring knocking down walls or losing living space. There could be additional costs with this necessary “remodeling”.
2. Venting requirements
These new furnaces have different venting requirements. You may be forced to move the unit for this reason alone even if the larger size is not a problem in the existing space. The exhaust also must follow code and be vented far enough away from things like windows, doors, dryers, etc.
3. Condensate (moisture) disposal
One of the reasons high-efficiency furnaces are better at using the fuel efficiently is that they are condensing furnaces. A condensing furnace features a second heat exchanger that draws additional heat from the exhaust gasses which cools them and causes the water in the air to condense. Additional heat is released as the water condenses which makes these furnaces more efficient, but this condensed liquid must be collected and disposed of. You obviously don’t want it leaking into the building.
While these new furnaces will save you money on your energy bills and are better for the environment because they release fewer toxins into the air, you may want to check out your furnace while you still have the option of getting a traditional model. If your furnace is squeezed into a tiny space and you’re pretty sure you’ll need to move it to accommodate one of the newer models, you may want to look into replacing it now with a non-condensing gas furnace before the deadline. That way you can avoid the additional costs and hassle involved in moving it.
If you need help determining if a high-efficiency furnace in Niles, MI home will fit in your, give us a call and one of our Home Comfort Experts heating technicians will visit and let you know. But don’t wait too long because after May 1st, you won’t have a choice.