HVAC Check-Up Checklist & Guide to Finding a Contractor

An HVAC system is no longer a luxury if you live in a part of the country with extreme hot or cold seasons. If you want your family to be comfortable during these seasons, you need to invest in a reliable HVAC system. An HVAC system combines heating, cooling, and ventilation in one interconnected series of parts and equipment. Here are the essential components of most HVAC systems found in homes.

Thermostat. Most homeowners are familiar with thermostats and how to operate them. Oftentimes their only interaction with their HVAC system is by turning off, turning on, or programming the thermostat. It is the most visible part of the system and is responsible for controlling the indoor temperature according to the settings you’ve chosen. In recent years, digital programmable thermostats have become quite popular. A programmable thermostat allows you to set temperature settings for different times of the day or days of the week. A programmable thermostat can help you regulate the energy consumed by your HVAC system.
Furnace. A key component of an HVAC system is a home furnace. It is a substantial piece of equipment that requires ample space. It is usually installed in basements or cellars. Using the principle of forced air, furnaces heat air and force it through ductwork circulating inside the home. Common heat sources include natural gas, propane, oil, electricity, and solar power.
Evaporator coil. The cooling component of an HVAC system uses an evaporator coil for cooling air according to the thermostat settings. An evaporator coil is usually located on top of a furnace exterior and housed in a metal enclosure. Similar to a car’s radiator, it produces cool air that circulates through the ductwork.
Condensing unit. This component of the HVAC system is connected to the evaporator coil. Contractors install the condensing unit outside the home and fill it with refrigerant. When refrigerant cools to a liquid due to heat exchange from the exterior air, the condensing unit pushes the liquid back into the evaporator coils to turn it back to gas.
Refrigerant lines. These lines are responsible for carrying refrigerant back and forth between the condensing unit and the evaporator coil. These lines are often made with durable materials such as copper or aluminum.
Ductwork. The ductwork consists of a system of ducts transporting warm or cold air to various areas of the home.
Vents. The vents are connected to ductwork and transfer heated or cooled air into different rooms. These vents are located near the ceiling, facing downward with angled vents where cooled or heated air exits into the room.

A reliable HVAC system needs adequate HVAC check-ups done routinely. As much as possible, you need to schedule a maintenance check-up twice a year.

Why Do You Need A Routine Air Conditioning Checkup

You can schedule an air conditioner check-up any time of the year, but it is best to choose a check-update before the system is in heavy use for an extended period of time. For summer season HVAC check-ups, spring is the best time for a tune-up. Routine maintenance prevents small problems from becoming more severe, and preventive measures applied by a technician also help prolong the life of your air conditioning system.

The reason for scheduling a routine HVAC check-up is simple: so that you can save money. If a technician catches small problems with the system, paying for small repairs is less costly than if you have to pay for a replacement. Another way you can save money through regular maintenance is by ensuring that your HVAC system is always in good working condition, hence increasing the efficiency of the equipment. If your HVAC system is running at peak efficiency, it will burn less energy to keep your house cool.

What Is Included In An Air Conditioning Tune Up

Now that you know how important a regular HVAC check-up is, you should also understand what is included in the price you pay. The small investment you make to schedule a maintenance check-up guarantees huge returns because your HVAC system will not experience any issues or breakdowns when you need to use it the most. Here is what you can expect from an HVAC check-up:

Thorough cleaning of the condenser coils. Clean condenser coils have increased efficiency. You won’t be wasting energy if the system is efficient and, at the same time, reduces the impact of wear and tear on the equipment.
The coolant level is checked to ensure that it is not below operating performance.
The technician will also lubricate all moving parts to reduce friction that causes wear and tear on different parts.
Thermostat calibration to ensure proper operation.
Checking the ductwork for tears or holes that may lead to energy loss. Filters are also checked and cleaned to remove dirt build-up and blockage.
Inspection of all electrical connections, including tightening of any loose parts.
Evaluate the condition of the blower and clean the fan blades if necessary.

These are only a few of what you can expect from an HVAC check-up. HVAC contractors use a checklist that includes 26 points for inspection in order to guarantee a thorough examination and tune-up of your HVAC system.

10 Tips To Finding The Best HVAC Tune-Up Contractor

Since a routine HVAC check-up is an essential step to ensuring that your HVAC system works properly, you need to put equal effort into finding the best contractor near you. It is a daunting task because you likely have to choose from a long list of possible contractors and technicians to hire. Here’s how you can ensure that you are hiring only the best for the job.

You should start by asking for references from trusted friends or family. This is often the easiest and best way to find an excellent contractor for your routine HVAC check-up. However, if this step does not work for you, confine your selection list to local contractors so that you can narrow down your search. What’s good about a local contractor is the convenience of reaching out to them as well as the likelihood of more personalized service.
You can also find a reputable contractor by checking the list of accredited contractors who are members of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America or the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractor’s National Association. Another indication that you are hiring a reputable contractor is by checking that their technicians have certification from the North American Technician Excellence.
Don’t rely on a phone quote. Always ask the contractor to check your home first before giving you an estimate. As much as possible, get a written estimate and not a verbal agreement.
An experienced contractor will survey your house and your HVAC system first before calculating an HVAC check-up estimate according to the cooling load calculation.
A contractor with up-to-date knowledge and experience in the industry will not hesitate to give you advice about your options for getting high-efficiency equipment for your HVAC system. Aside from maintenance and HVAC check-ups, the best contractor will help you improve the existing system in your home. They are also likely to recommend you consider new high-efficiency equipment that can help you save on utility bills.
An experienced contractor can also give you an estimate of how much you will spend for cooling your home by using cooling load values to calculate the figures. A less experienced contractor may not have this knowledge.
If you are thinking about replacing your HVAC equipment, an experienced contractor will not estimate costs according to the size of your existing equipment, instead, they will recommend the right size equipment for your needs and calculate based on these recommendations. Experienced technicians are keen on helping you cut down on the cost of installation and operating your HVAC equipment.
Before an HVAC check-up begins, the contractor should first provide you with a written estimate with a comprehensive listing of all costs involved with the job.
Sometimes, the cheapest estimate is not always the best. You have to consider value and experience over the cost of the HVAC check-up. If you choose the lowest bid, it may not include all the necessary points of assessment, and you’ll end up with problems later if your HVAC system is not adequately tuned up.
You’ll know a good contractor by the attitude of their technicians. A good contractor has technicians who are polite, courteous, and show a willingness to help. If possible, go to their physical office and speak to the technician in person. Another sign of a professional contractor is how they maintain their place of business.

Once you have chosen a contractor, you will eventually build a relationship with them. If you choose the best, you will have a team of expert technicians available to help you for years to come. Choosing the right HVAC contractor for your HVAC check-up is not a decision you should take lightly. Trust only the best, like Fischer Heating, to guarantee your HVAC system remains in excellent working condition throughout the changing seasons.

Contact us for any additional questions you may have, or give us a call today at 206-202-9499.