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Forced-Air Heating and Furnace Repairs
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Gas
Furnace
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Central
or Portable Air
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AC
Cooling Capacity ||
AC
Energy Efficiency || AC Condenser Maintenance ||
Thermostat
Types ||
Wireless
Thermostats ||
Thermostat
Testing and Troubleshooting ||
Solar
and Electric Attic Fans ||
Whole
House Fans
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Learn
Important Facts and Figures About the Different
Types of Heating and Cooling Systems
in Today's Market
For many homeowners, when
it comes to their heating and cooling systems
they can’t decide to either repair their
current heating and cooling systems also known
as your HVAC, or replace them.
Each option can be expensive and leaving
you wondering if you’ve made the right
decision.
At Air Force Heat and Air, we want to
help you make the right choice by helping you
understand more about your heating and cooling
systems and the maintenance required to
maintain them.
To begin, the age of your
HVAC system is very important when considering
whether to replacement your HVAC system or to
repair the unit, even if the system still runs
and is dependable.
Most HVAC units can last approximately
20 years and furnaces have been known to last
up to 30 years when they have been well
maintained.
However, older heat exchangers pose a
danger in that they are more likely to develop
cracks or rust holes that could allow the
deadly gas, carbon monoxide, to enter your home
and living space.
When weighing the costs
and benefits of replacing or repairing your
current system with a more efficient system,
you have to keep in mind these two points.
First, the price of fuel/energy tend to
go up over time instead of down and secondly,
how long will your monthly savings continue
once you have achieved the “payback” period
on your new system.
The payback period is the length of time
required for you to obtain or to be repaid the
amount you spent on your new system through the
amount you've saved on your heating and cooling
bills.
Once you have decided to
replace your heating and cooling system, you
will then need to choose the correct size.
If the system is oversized, then it
could cause overheating or cooling of your
home, thus wasting energy.
On the other hand, if you select a
system too small, this could cause your heating
and cooling system to work too hard, thus
causing you to use too much energy to operate
the system.
In addition, you also have
to consider the type of heating and cooling
system, which would be right for the area in
which you live.
In some areas, radiant heating is more
often used to provide heat.
With radiant heating, pipes are used to
run hot water, air, or even electrical heating
under floorboards or through the ceiling.
For areas that only have a few chilly
nights, space heaters that function with the
help of kerosene or gas may be all that is
required to keep you warm.
Understanding the various heating and
cooling systems available to you is as
important as choosing a system that is energy
efficient.
Finally, finding the right
heating and cooling contractor to install and
maintain your system is as important as
installing the correct system.
When searching for the right contractor,
you may have to interview several.
The following are a few steps to help
you find a heating and air contractor to
install and maintain your system.
-
It is important that you contact your
local Better Business Bureau to ensure that
there have been no complaints filed against
the heating and air company you are
considering.
-
Next, make sure that you ask for
references and then contact these
references.
-
When interviewing a prospective
company, make sure their technicians are
licensed Gas Technician / Heating
Contractor.
Make sure that you actually see their
licensed.
-
Ask if the company/heating technician
is registered with TSSA or local governing
body.
-
Make sure that the company has
workers compensation coverage.
This is important because if the
business does not have workers compensation
coverage, if a worker is injured on your
property, you will be liable, not the
Contractor.
However, if they have this coverage,
then you're safe.
-
You also want to make sure that they have proper
Property Damage and Liability Insurance.
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