Fort Wayne area summers can get awfully hot and sticky. Savvy homeowners with aging cooling systems who have chosen to upgrade to a new, energy-efficient air conditioner to prepare for the heat may wonder what criteria to look for when hiring a contractor for A/C installation.
Contractors with diversified experience in both service and installation understand the importance of custom design based on individual homeowners’ particular needs; however, certain universal criteria – such as improved energy efficiency and indoor air quality – must typically be met in every installation.
The following checklist is an easy way to assess the quality of your HVAC contractor. He or she should:
Prior to installation
- Evaluate your cooling needs by performing a room-by-room load calculation.
- Appraise the condition and design of your ductwork.
- Explain the manufacturer’s performance data when recommending a new custom-designed system.
- Verify the new system’s efficiency based on the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute’s certification.
Once installation is in progress
- Measure the airflow’s strength and cooling capacity room-by-room.
- Measure the charge of the refrigerant and compare to the Energy Star Quality Installation (QI) standard.
- Check for any duct leakage.
- Test fuses and other electrical components for safety.
- Double check the thermostat’s accuracy in all modes and compatibility with the new system.
After completion
- Furnish you with a copy of the above installation test results.
- Provide copies of both the contractor’s and the manufacturer’s warranties and explain the protocol should a claim arise.
- Review the new system’s owner’s manual maintenance recommendations to maximum its life expectancy.
Before hiring a contractor for A/C installation, ask if the company offers a professional maintenance program, and ask for a list of references and professional affiliations.
For any questions you may have about hiring a contractor for your A/C installation, please contact us. Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. has been providing expert HVAC service to the Fort Wayne and New Haven areas since 1973.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about A/C installation and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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