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bookmark_borderHow To Identify A Professional Air Conditioning Repair

Posted on by Jimmie Ramsey

When your HVAC system requires repairs, you may be tempted to browse through the yellow pages and call the first heating and air conditioning repair company you find. Unfortunately, this is not the right approach to take when looking for a competent contractor because the pressure to have the furnace or air conditioner fixed can put you at risk of making costly mistakes. When searching for the best heating and cooling contractor, there are numerous important questions. While most people may think that the question – when can you be here? – maybe the most important, there are many other important questions you have to ask before making a decision. This will help you avoid wasting a lot of money on unreliable repairs that may even exacerbate the problem at hand. To find the right contractor, you’ll need to call a few companies. However, this is not the end of the process as there are several things you have to consider.

What to Consider

  • Ratings: You will need to check with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, the Tucson BBB, and Angie’s List to get some idea about how consumers have rated different contractors. Google is a great source of ratings, but it can manipulate the system only to show positive reviews. This makes it a less-reliable source.
  • Are calls answered professionally and quickly during normal working hours. If you made the call after-hours, you would most likely be disappointed with the response because controlling employees after the official working hours is never easy. It may be a good idea to alert the business owner or management if your call is not answered professionally and in a courteous manner.
  • If you made the call in the after-hours, how long did it take for someone to get in touch with you to ask about your call and give you an estimate of how long it will take a technician to get to your home?
  • Did they inform you that a technician will call you before heading to your home as a reminder and courtesy update?

After scheduling the call

  • Did you receive a confirmation call? If yes, was the dispatcher or technician professional in their demeanor?
  • Did the technician arrive on time? Did they give you a courtesy call to inform you in advance that they were running late if the technician was late?
  • Since HVAC repairs can be complicated, it is not uncommon for a technician to take a little longer than expected to get to the client’s home. However, a professional service provider will inform you in advance about any delays to ensure you can plan your day accordingly instead of waiting endlessly for the technician to arrive.

Upon arriving, was the technician:

  • Apologetic for being late and explained the reason why? Professionals respect that time is precious, so they don’t need to be prompted to explain why they are late.
  • Neatly dressed, clean, and professional? Was the technician in uniform with protective gear on and ready to get to work? Wearing a uniform is a way of showing professionalism.
  • When introducing himself, was the technician polite and respectful? Did he state the reason for the visit? You expected a technician, but a self-introduction gives you peace of mind that you’re getting the right person into your home.
  • Did the technician put on shoe covers before entering your home? While it may not seem necessary, this is a demonstration of professionalism. A properly trained technician will put on shoe covers without being asked.
  • Did the technician take time to ask you about your heating or cooling system? Did he ask additional questions to try and diagnose the system before they started inspecting it? While an HVAC technician is an expert, they value the client’s information as the information can save them a lot of hassles when trying to figure out what the problem might be. Be sure to make the most of this opportunity to address every HVAC issue before the technician leaves your home. This will help to ensure you get better value for money.

Did the technician inform and show you the problem with your furnace or cooling system before carrying out repairs? This is crucial because you want to know exactly what the problem might be before it is fixed.

  • Was the technician able to speak intelligently and professionally about the issue at hand and try to educate you about how to avoid a similar problem from recurring in the future while providing you with visual evidence and references to give you a better understanding of your HVAC system?
  • If you disagreed with one or more of their recommendations, was the technician respectful of your views? The top HVAC firms usually hire a calm demeanor and can never get aggressive or disrespectful when a client rejects their recommendations.
  • Did the technician consult you before proceeding with the repairs after identifying the root cause of the problem? This is crucial because no work should be done without consulting the client. When you call an HVAC technician, you only have to pay the diagnostic fee. Once the problem has been identified, the technician has to seek permission from the client before carrying out repairs.
  • Did the technician inform you about preventive maintenance and proactive repairs, which can be done when the system is still running to prevent future breakdowns? The customer can only decide to carry out these repairs, so they are not necessary. However, it is usually good to carry out these repairs to prevent costly breakdowns in the future. It is important to note that there are also repairs that must be done for safety reasons. For instance, a cracked heat exchanger in your furnace must be fixed to prevent fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. Similarly, a bad compressor must also be repaired or replaced. Additionally, there are also system enhancements or upgrades that the technician may recommend. These are meant to improve the performance of the system. However, they are only suggestions for you to consider.
  • After the repairs, did the technician show you the defective components that were replaced? This is crucial as it helps build trust between the technician and customers.
  • Did they clean up after completing the repair job? Ideally, your home should be left as clean as it was before the technician arrived. The AC or furnace should also be put back the way it was with no loose or missing screws on any components.
  • Did the technician leave you with a professionally-written service ticket indicating the types of services offered, charges, and recommendations they made?
  • Did the technician ask you if you had any questions and answer them professionally and to your satisfaction?

By following this guide to choosing the right ac repair company in Victorville, you can be assured of finding the right contractor for the job. If a contractor fails to meet the expectations of this guide, consider searching for a different service provider. After all, there are many licensed HVAC contractors out there.

While price is a key factor of consideration when searching for an HVAC contractor, it is not the most crucial factor to be considered. What you should do is give priority to professionalism. The ideal contractor should also offer 100% guaranteed services. They should also offer a moneyback guarantee and a customer satisfaction guarantee to give clients peace of mind. These are crucial requirements because you would like to hire professionals who stand by their work. Firms that offer guarantees usually offer high-quality services and better value for money to all their clients. That is why they deserve to be given special consideration.

bookmark_border6 Tips to Keep Your HVAC Running Year Round

Posted on by Jimmie Ramsey

If you live in the USA, HVAC systems are a huge part of your life. Between summer and winter HVACs can make or break your quality of life. The good news is that HVACs are becoming more energy efficient (though it can vary) so they don’t cost as much to run! Here are six tips to keep your HVAC running year round.

Prepare Your HVAC For Winter

Winter HVAC systems require a little more work to keep running smoothly. Dust and other debris can clog up your HVAC system, so make sure you run it at least once a week to avoid buildup. It’s also important that the HVAC vents are thoroughly cleaned out before winter begins – otherwise they could freeze shut when outside temperatures begin dropping below freezing!

One of the best things about an HVAC is how easy it is for DIYers to maintain their own HVRVs. Just follow these three steps:

  • Remove any leaves or twigs from around AC unit (especially if they’re located in front or behind)
  • Turn off electricity supply
  • Shut down water valve on back side
  • Adjust the thermostat to a warmer temperature in the fall and winter

Adjusting the thermostat to the HVAC system in the fall and winter is a simple way to make sure your HVRVs are always at their most efficient. By setting the thermostat to twenty-eight degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll reduce HVAC energy consumption by up to thirty percent – and that equates to major savings! Houses with HAVC units can be subject during cold weather, which means it’s important for homeowners to take steps now before they start feeling the effects of poor air flow.

Make Sure That There Is Enough Air Flow

Making sure that there is enough HVAC air flow is the first step to preventing HVRVs from breaking down. HAVC units have an internal sensor that tells them when it’s time to switch on, and they will do so if there isn’t a breeze coming their way.

*Tip: To keep your HVAC running smoothly throughout the year, you should make sure that there is always at least two inches of clearance between outside walls or nearby objects and the unit itself.*

To maintain consistent indoor temperatures in winter months, homeowners need to stay vigilant about heating performance as well. If your HVRVs are constantly cycling off and on during cold weather, this could be caused by insufficient insulation levels around windows and doors – or even ice.

Clean All Filters With Water

Cleaning the filters every month is very important because the HVAC unit will be more efficient and work longer before it needs to be serviced. The HVAC filters are necessary for removing debris that can clog up air ducts, which affects how well your HVAC system works. You should clean all HVAC filters every month or as needed, depending on usage. This is very important because a cleaner filter means the HVAC will keep working efficiently for much longer than if you don’t clean them at all – meaning increased savings in utility bills!

Cleaning the filters require es you to remove them from the HVAC unit and soak them in water. This is very important because a clean filter means your HVAC will work more efficiently for much longer than if you don’t – with increased savings on utility bills!

The HVAC filters are there to catch any debris that can clog up air ducts, which impacts how well your HAVC system works. You should clean all HVA filters every month or as needed, depending on usage. This is very necessary because a cleaner filter means the HAVC units will keep working efficiently for much longer than they would without cleaning – meaning increased savings on utility bills!

Change Out Your Air Filter

Cleaning filters when you haven’t done so in a while can make HVAC systems up to 25% more efficient, and it’s very important because the HVAC filters are there to catch any debris that can clog up air ducts. This is necessary for many reasons – most notably because a cleaner filter means HAVC units will keep working efficiently for much longer than they would without cleaning!

Clean Your Coils And Fins

Your coils are a very important part of HAVC systems – they’re the part of your HVAC units that actually cools down rooms in your house or office. If dust builds up on these coils, it can make them more difficult to work and will make HVA cooling less efficient!

To combat this problem, try washing off any dirt you see accumulating on the fins with a wet rag at least once per week. This should help keep your HVA running without any difficulties for much longer than other people’s HVA would be able to function!

bookmark_borderHow To Understand The Essentials of HVAC

Posted on by Jimmie Ramsey

HVAC indicates all the systems that work together to heat and cool a house efficiently. Understanding how your HVAC system works will necessitate one to check all the associated terms and functions.

Familiarizing oneself ensures that they can quickly diagnose problems and find an energy-efficient system. The different systems that make up the HVAC will entail:

  • Ventilation systems
  • Ductwork
  • Furnaces
  • Filters
  • Thermostats
  • Air conditioners

Different HVAC Terms

In case of problems with the HVAC system, the user has to consider speaking to professional contractors. Understanding the different HVAC terms can assist one in knowing what a contractor is talking about. Some of the essential terms will entail:

  • Programmable thermostats – These allow someone to set the air and heat to turn on and off at specific times of the day and night.
  • British thermal unit (BTU) – This unit expresses the size of a heating unit. For someone with a large home, having a large furnace with a high BTU is crucial.
  • Compressor – Available in most air conditioning units, this device pumps and compresses cooling refrigerant. It’s essential to clean the compressor a few times in the year. Also, covering them during the winter prevents any damage.
  • Energy star – This is a term that regulates the energy efficiency of all consumer products. All products with an energy star logo will save between 20 and 30%.
  • Annualized fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) – This is the measure of heating efficiency. When buying furnaces, they ought to have a higher AFUE. The AFUE rating for the best furnaces ought to be between 80 and 90%.
  • Ductwork – The ductwork helps with the distribution of air throughout a house. The ductwork should receive annual cleaning to eradicate any dust which can cause allergies.
  • Central air conditioning – This indicates that air circulates throughout the house from a central location.
  • Humidifier – As the heated air leaves the furnace, the humidifier will add some moisture. The humidifier will retain the quality of air and negating any health problems.
  • Geothermal heating – This indicates the use of geothermal power within a home for heating purposes. The earth acts as the source for heat during the winter and cold during the summer.
  • Minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating – It’s a rating standard for air filters. Smaller holes in filters make them more efficient and have a higher rating.
  • Heat exchanger – It’s responsible for transferring the heat in the air for distribution throughout the house.
  • Furnace filters – These filters will work towards negating any unhealthy air particles from getting into the house.

Buying a HVAC System

After knowing all the essential HVAC terms, the next logical step is looking for a HVAC system. Remember that HVAC systems will impact the quality of life. Besides, its an investment where no one wants to make the wrong decision. Therefore, here are the different considerations that one can make.

Assess the Ductwork

Before picking a HVAC system for the house, one has to ensure that the right equipment is available. A professional HVAC contractor can aid in inspecting the ducts to ascertain that they are in the best condition. In return, it’s easier to attain energy efficiency by guaranteeing that everything works seamlessly.

Get an Air Conditioner

An efficient AC can keep a home well cooled and heated. Therefore, consider looking for one depending on the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). The higher the number, the more energy-efficient the AC will be. In return, it’ll be easier to cut on costs and consider an AC with variable speed control compressors.

Choose a Furnace

If the house has an existing HVAC system, replacing it with an energy-efficient furnace can increase your energy savings. Checking the AFUE ratings can assist in finding some highly efficient furnaces. Besides, consider looking into the different types of furnaces for the HVAC system. They will entail:

  • Variable-speed air handlers – They consist of motors that run at variable speeds. It enables better energy efficiency since the user can choose the optimal speeds for the best indoor temperatures. Picking the right size will be crucial for energy efficiency.
  • Single state air handlers – Mostly common in older furnaces, these handlers will have a single speed setting. Their motors will only perform at the maximum speed, and they won’t be the most energy-efficient solutions.
  • Two-stage air handlers – Unlike single state air handlers, these will have two settings. The low and high options can allow the user to pick a setting which will be the best for the indoor temperature. For energy efficiency, one should consider sticking with the low setting for most of the time.

HVAC Maintenance

For a HVAC system to perform well, the user needs to know of the best maintenance measures. Maintenance guarantees that the HVAC system will be efficient. The frequency of the maintenance will depend on these factors:

  • Condition of the HVAC system
  • Age of the HVAC system
  • Size of the HVAC system
  • Brand of the HVAC system
  • The user’s location
  • Usage frequency of the HVAC system

Maintenance should also happen depending on the seasons. For example, during summer, one has to get different equipment and maintenance servicing compared to winter. For winter, the focus should be on the protection of the HVAC system.

For the best experience when maintaining the HVAC system, one should look for the right HVAC contractor. They know how to maintain the system and all the different parts to check for maximum efficiency. However, with a DIY approach, creating a checklist will be necessary. Also remember to:

  • Eliminate clogs
  • Get quality air filters
  • Inspect the fan blades
  • Assess the carbon monoxide detector
  • Clear debris around the outside units
  • Check the refrigerant lines
  • Check for noises and odors


Conducting these practices can guarantee that the HVAC system works efficiently. Consider requesting a contractor for frequent inspections to guarantee that everything conducted in the checklist was essential and correct. Moreover, the contractor can assist in knowing whether the user missed anything during the maintenance.

Knowing about a HVAC will require for someone to understand not only the terminologies but everything that works together to provide the best heating and cooling in a home. The purchasing and maintenance of the HVAC will also be crucial to ensure that the system will be durable.