4 Questions To Ask Before Buying Your New Furnace or Air Conditioner
Thinking of buying a new HVAC for your home? Read on for more information on 4 questions to ask when buying a new furnace and air conditioner.
HVAC systems often break down at inconvenient times—when it’s extremely hot or cold, when you’re busy, or when other expenses pile up. If you’re shopping for a new furnace or air conditioner, here are four important questions to help you choose the right contractor.
1. Permits
In Indianapolis (Marion County) and most major cities, heating and air conditioning providers need to be licensed to perform the work. They are required to pull a permit, which will likely result in an inspection to make sure everything meets code. Permits and inspections ensure the work meets code and protects your family and home. Improper electrical, exhaust, or drainage can lead to property damage, inefficiency, and health risks. Choose a provider who operates under legal requirements.
The Question: What is your license number in Marion County? Then call 317.327.8700 to confirm this info.
2. Load Calculation
When the technician or salesperson visits your home, they should take measurements to perform a load calculation. A load calculation determines the right size furnace or air conditioner for your home’s unique needs. Variables like windows, insulation, and construction type mean every home is different. Proper sizing ensures your investment performs efficiently.
The Question: How did you determine the size of the system you have estimated?
3. Technician Experience
From a technical perspective, one of the more simple things a certified heating and cooling technician does is replace a system. Usually the most experienced technicians are doing diagnostic and repair work. Ask about the experience level of the technician who will perform your installation. More experienced technicians typically result in higher quality installations with fewer issues. While no installation is guaranteed to be issue-free, experienced technicians reduce the likelihood of problems.
The Question: How long has the technician who will do this installation had his EPA certification? (They should be able to provide documentation to support this claim)
4. Quality Control
The license holder is required to inspect each job where a permit has been pulled. This follow up visit is something that should be discussed with a homeowner before the job has been agreed upon. Within this visit, the supervising technician should be going through the specifics of the job laid out in your agreement, and going through a check list to ensure everything meets code requirements.
The Question: When will your license holder perform an inspection visit after the installation?
Asking these questions will help you select a quality HVAC provider, reduce risks, lower long-term costs, and ensure safe installation.
Questions about buying a new furnace and air conditioner? Give us a call at 317-203-8149.
Posted in: HVAC Indianapolis
