What you pay to buy and install a new heating or cooling system is the tip of the iceberg. The utility bills you receive monthly for using the new system, the costs to maintain and repair it, or to replace it if it fails prematurely, can far exceed your initial investment. The wrong system, improperly installed, could sentence you to years of excessive bills. According to Consumer Reports, “In the end, it’s the contractor who will make the biggest difference in how well the furnace replacement goes.
So how do you choose the right contractor and make sure you get what you paid for? Information is the key to making a wise decision! It is important to spend the time to get the information up-front. Never accept estimates over the phone, or based off of rules-of-thumb such as register counts or square footage. A quality contractor will need to spend a couple of hours in your home to provide you with the right solutions to meet your heating and cooling needs.
1. Utility studies have found that up to 75% of installed heating and cooling systems are mis-sized, resulting in higher costs, and issues with comfort and reliability. A good contractor will carefully measure and inspect your home and complete a Manual J Heat Load Calculation to determine the right size system for your home.
2. Since up to half your new system’s efficiency and comfort will actually depend on the state of your ductwork, a good contractor will inspect your duct system to make sure it is properly sized to carry the proper air volume through the system. When the system is installed, they should repair significant leaks and seal any new ductwork to ensure maximum delivered efficiency.
3. The final concern is how your new system is installed. Many poorly trained or careless technicians often create problems during installation. Ask to see a copy of the contractor’s quality assurance checklists and written guarantees that ensure the mechanical aspects of your new system work the way they’re supposed to.
The most important part of your buying process is to pick the right contractor: one who has the knowledge, training, instruments and procedures to help you select your new system, install it properly, and also solve preexisting problems with your system. Investing your time up front, is the best way maximize your savings down the road.
