Of all the home improvements you make, selecting new HVAC equipment may be the most challenging. These systems are complicated and expensive, and if you’re like most homeowners, something you don’t deal with often. Before you start the process, it’s helpful to avoid the most crucial, albeit common, mistakes made when replacing an old system.
Not Checking Contractor Credentials
In Oklahoma, all HVAC contractors must be licensed, bonded and insured. If you use an unlicensed contractor, you may not have any financial protections, and the HVAC system’s manufacturer may not honor the warranty.As you search for a contractor, look for NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certification. NATE is a non-profit organization that only certifies the most knowledgeable and capable technicians in the industry. When you work with a NATE-certified company, you’re much more likely to have a high level of satisfaction from start to finish.
The Wrong Size
Going by the size of your existing HVAC system when replacing it could be a mistake that haunts you for a long time. Before you purchase a new system, make sure your contractor conducts a load calculation using Manual J software.Any reputable HVAC contractor will use this software to find the best size for your home based on a variety of factors that include home size, its overall energy efficiency, your cooling and heating preferences, and the home’s orientation to the sun. Selecting a system that’s too large or small compromises your comfort, the system’s energy efficiency and its durability.
Basing Decisions on Price Only
It’s short sighted to base your decision about HVAC equipment based on its price alone. Your contractor should show you the lifetime costs of the system you select based on the money you’ll save with a more energy efficient system. It will cost you more initially, but it will pay for itself in lower operating costs from the start.
Choosing new HVAC equipment isn’t a do-it-yourself project but a reputable contractor can help you through the choices you’ll need to make. To learn more, contact Air Assurance, providing NATE-certified HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about buying HVAC equipment and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.