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Maybe you are ready to upgrade that inefficient heater or air conditioner. You've gone out and found a furnace that's 95% efficient and you bought a permanent filter and the world just looks dandy to you. You get the furnace home in your uncle's truck. ( You agreed to fill up the tank if he let you borrow it, so you get that out of the way first. ) You and your friend Harmon carry the furnace into the basement. The next thing you do is reach for the phone book to find somebody who can hook it up. Whoa there.
You're making a critical error. No. The error isn't befriending Harmon. Your mistake was not doing proper research when hiring a heating and cooling contractor. If you're concerned about energy efficiency, you should find someone capable to help you pick out, install and maintain your heating and cooling system.
The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy has some pretty good tips on how to find a good contractor. Here is what they recommend.
- Ask people you know for recommendations.
- Look for contractors with memberships in these groups: Air Condition Contractors of America, Sheet Metal and Air Condition Contractor's National Association. Also check to see if the contractor is certified by North American Technician Excellence or is partnered with Energy Star.
- If someone offers you an estimate over the phone, they are not worth their salt.
- A good contractor is an up-to-date contractor. If you are more knowledgeable about current technologies then them, find another contractor.
- An adept contractor will survey the home and base his or her proposal on estimations of the heating and/or cooling load.
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Many furnaces and central air conditioners are not properly sized for the homes they serve, because of improper sizing years ago and/or energy efficiency improvements to the building since the old equipment was installed. Better contractors will not use your existing equipment to size your new heating or cooling system.
- A laudable contractor should be able to explain any problems you’ve had with your previous heating and cooling system.
- They should be able to give you an estimate for an annual operating cost.
- Get multiple bids. Be skeptical of low bids. You get what you pay for.
- Professionalism is always a sign of quality.
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