HVAC Contractor Hire Seem Daunting? It Needn't Be

HVAC Contractor Hire Seem Daunting? It Needn't Be

Selecting the right HVAC contractor to install your new air conditioner or furnace is just as important as the equipment you choose. Proper installation is required for optimal safety, efficiency and reliability. Don’t be daunted by the task of hiring the right HVAC contractor. Instead, use this guide to aid you in your selection.

• Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations: Their experience with a reputable contractor is a great place to start.

• Call the contractor: Pay attention to how you’re treated on the phone. Reliable contractors are professional, prompt and courteous. Look for these features as they make their first impression.

• Look for professional affiliations: North American Trade Excellence (NATE) is an organization that trains and certifies HVAC technicians. Trust the job to a NATE-certified tech for the best experience possible.

• Seek estimates: This provides you with a price comparison. However, don’t give your business to a company that attempts to provide an estimate over the phone, since a load calculation must be performed before equipment size, and therefore cost, can be determined. In addition, think twice before accepting the lowest bid. Remember, you get what you pay for.

• Ask about sizing techniques: With the cost estimate in hand, ask the HVAC contractor what sizing method they used to produce this estimate. If the contractor’s response is that they used the square footage alone to determine equipment size, wave them out the door. This rule of thumb is not accurate enough to give you the best results. Look for a contractor who uses formal sizing techniques found in Manual J.

• Get everything in writing: A trustworthy HVAC contractor will provide a written proposal with details about the job at hand, such as the work to be done, labor costs and overall project price. The contractor will insist you sign a contract before work begins and ensures all changes are added and initialed as needed.

Please contact Air Assurance Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to work with a qualified HVAC contractor who can meet or exceed your expectations in every way. We have proudly served the Broken Arrow community since 1985.

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).  Image courtesy of Shutterstock

What ACCA Membership Should Mean to You When Hiring an HVAC Contractor

What ACCA Membership Should Mean to You When Hiring an HVAC Contractor

When hiring an HVAC contractor for upgrades, service or repair, it’s important to investigate references for completed work and professional affiliations, and seek out contractors with special recognition from industry organizations, manufacturers and uninvested third parties. One of the specific affiliations you should place as a prerequisite for your contractor is ACCA membership.What is ACCA?ACCA is an acronym for Air Conditioning Contractors of America, and it is a non-profit entity serving the best interests of homeowners and businesses by working closely with HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) companies to implement and promote industry standards for best practices, energy efficiency and methodologies for installations, repairs and service.ACCA membershipWhen you hire an HVAC contractor with ACCA membership, you’re assured of the following criteria and benefits:

• ACCA-affiliated contractors stay apprised of the most recent technological advances within the industry, which helps homeowners select systems most suited for their needs and budget.

• Your contractor employs professional technicians that are properly trained to provide exceptional service, seeking the best methods to perform their duties with the goal of 100-percent customer satisfaction.

• Your contractor uses ACCA methodologies for performing heat gain/loss calculations (Manual J) to properly size heating and cooling equipment to each individual home and situation. For duct retrofits or new installations, ACCA’s Manual D is followed to the letter for optimal results for energy efficiency and home comfort.

• ACCA-affiliated contractors know and comply with state and local codes, and are professional companies which carry all required licenses and insurance for your protection.

Above and beyondHVAC contractors with ACCA membership are actively involved in ongoing education for their technicians. They frequently seek out top talent and motivated professionals, and are often required to carry and maintain other professional affiliations and certifications, such as NATE (North American Technician Excellence).Also, request references of completed projects from your list of prospective contractors, and make sure to check each contractor's standing with the Better Business Bureau.At Air Assurance, we're committed to providing our customers the very best service, repair and installation available in the greater Tulsa area, and promote the standards, ethics and methodologies which ACCA membership represents. Call us today for your HVAC needs.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).  Image courtesy of Shutterstock

11 HVAC Terms Every Tulsa Area Homeowner Should Know

When it comes to heating and cooling a Tulsa-area home, homeowners are at a disadvantage. Why? HVAC terms require time to understand them, and heating and cooling is generally not an area of expertise for the average homeowner. With just a little knowledge under your belt, however, you can use these HVAC terms to effectively communicate with your HVAC technician the next time your equipment requires service or repair, or you’re ready to upgrade. Here’s what you need to know:

• Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), the cooling efficiency rating that reveals a unit’s performance capacity. This rating is used with central air conditioning and heat pumps

• Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), the rating used to show the efficiency potential for furnaces (and boilers)

• Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF), the heating term used to show a heat pump’s potential for heating efficiency

• Air handler, the unit that’s located indoors. Consisting of a motor and a fan, the air handler pushes conditioned air into the home

• Condenser, or the heat exchanger, employed in air conditioning and heat pump systems to condense refrigerant into a liquid, which facilities heat transfer

• Heat exchanger, a separate component of the furnace that helps to transfer heat that’s generated by the burners

• Ductwork, the system of interconnected pipes that snake throughout your home to supply conditioned air to the living spaces

• Ventilation system, a mechanical device that encourages air circulation in the home, and facilitates the equal exchange of outgoing and incoming air

• Air filter, the device that filters out impurities from the air before that air supply moves into the heating/cooling system

• Load calculation, a method for calculating the home’s unique heating and cooling load, which is used to help the contractor select the right-sized system

• Manual D, the methodology employed when sizing ductwork

• Manual S, the method used to size the heating or cooling system, used in conjunction with the load calculation

With a few HVAC terms under your belt, contact Air Assurance Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for more information about installing, repairing or maintaining your home’s heating and cooling systems. We've served homeowners in greater Broken Arrow for nearly 30 years.

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). Image courtesy of Shutterstock