Do you know what residential HVAC contractors do? This post will teach you all you need to know!
When you have a clogged sink, you call a plumber. If you need a power line moved during a remodel, you contact an electrician. By the same token, if you have an issue with your home heater or air conditioner and you live in Maryland, you can call a residential HVAC service in Columbia, MD to assist you.
Of course, while many people may have taken basic plumbing and electrical classes in high school and may have some understanding of how these jobs work, the home HVAC system still remains a mystery for many.
What Is HVAC?
The acronym HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. That means that HVAC contractors are expected to work in all of those fields.
Rarely will you call a “heating specialist” or an “air conditioning specialist”. Instead, you’ll have dedicated HVAC contractors that can do it all.
Your residential HVAC contractors might be the first people you call when your air conditioning breaks down on a blazing hot day, but what do they actually do?
What are the duties of HVAC contractors, and their limits? What kind of training is involved in their job? How can your residential HVAC contractors help save you money on your energy bill?
We’ll discuss all of that and more.
Residential Heating Services
There are many different methods of heating the home. Most residential homes make use of propane or natural gas. Some homes are heated by electricity and still, others use wood or coal. Whatever the heating method, HVAC contractors will keep your system in good working order.
Heaters can be tricky because, during part of the year, they’re barely used at all. While during other, colder parts of the year, they are on almost constantly, warming the home to the resident’s desired temperature.
If the heater is neglected during the warmer parts of the year, it may not perform at its best during the colder parts of the year. That’s why your heater needs regular maintenance, no matter how warm it is outside.
All HVAC contractors can inspect your heater, checking its various elements to ensure it’s in good working order. A contractor will check the thermostats, the electrical elements, as well as the gas line (or another fuel source), the burners, and all of the safety controls in your heating system.
If there are any issues demanding attention, your residential HVAC contractors will be able to perform the repairs that you need. It is important to make sure your AC is well maintained.
A good HVAC contractor can also install an entirely new heating system for you, should it be required. They can install a heating unit in a house that’s under construction or they can upgrade the unit in an older home. They can help you switch over to an entirely new heating element as well.
For example, if you’ve been using electricity but would prefer to make the switch to natural gas, your HVAC contractor will be able to get that process started for you. But hold on! That’s not all. You can Learn more here about the contractors and why is it important they have the right certification and training to do the job for you.
Air Conditioning Services
Similar to your heater, your air conditioner doesn’t get much use during half of the year. But is indispensable during the other half. And just like your heater, your air conditioner should be regularly maintained, even during the offseason.
Especially during the offseason, because if your air conditioner breaks down on a hot summer’s day, you’ll be competing with a large number of homeowners in a similar position. This means there may be a long wait for your contractor to arrive.
If you have your air conditioner inspected and repaired while it’s still colder outside, it will be much easier to halt any potential problems in their tracks.
Besides maintenance, a residential HVAC contractor such as MetroPHA Cooling can also install newer, more modern methods of cooling your home. Many houses these days lack the complex system of ducts that older homes have.
Fortunately, modern cooling technology has created ductless air conditioning units that your HVAC contractor can install for you.
You can also opt for a heat pump, which will serve to both heat and cool your home, depending on the need. It does this by utilizing a refrigerant to transfer outside heat into the home on cold days or to transfer inside heat out of the home on hot days. One of the services that your residential HVAC contractors can offer is to install these heat pumps for you.
Air Quality Services
Your HVAC contractor can also help to improve the air quality of your home. Air is circulated throughout most homes through a complex system of ducts.
Over time, dust, dirt, and debris will build up in these ducts. This leads to an overall drop in your home air quality. A buildup of dust and dirt will also dramatically reduce the efficiency of your heater and air conditioner. This will force you to run them longer to achieve your desired temperature. This, of course, will drive your energy bill up and cost you a good deal of money.
The National Air Duct Cleaner’s Association discusses the importance of having ducts cleaned on its website. This is particularly for anyone in your home who has a sensitivity to dust or pet dander.
The best and most affordable dryer vent cleaning service in Maryland will thoroughly clean the ducts in your home. And they will change the filters at the same time. This will serve as a major benefit to your family’s health and well-being. Dust and dirt can lead to health problems as well as aggravate allergies and asthma. Regularly cleaning it out of your duct systems is a must.
Finding the Best HVAC Contractor
You will need to do a bit of research to discover the best residential HVAC contractors in your area. Serious problems can arise if your HVAC system isn’t properly maintained or repaired. The importance of an experienced HVAC contractor cannot be overstated. With this, Comfort Crew technicians are trained and capable of servicing complex cooling & heating problems to resolve them safely and efficiently.
You should look for one who has been certified by the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) organization. You’ll also want to look for an authorized dealer for the parts that you need.
For example, Watts Heating and Cooling in the Portland, Oregon area is an authorized dealer of materials from Bryant Factory Heating and Cooling Systems.
Spend some time researching the contractors in your area. Make sure to verify that they are certified by NATE and other reputable organizations.
