The purpose of this guide is to inform homeowners of their options in HVAC equipment, suggest systems, and questions to ask of your installer.  I hope you enjoy this read and gain a little insight into a male dominated industry.

In 1984 I was in urgent need of a job, any job!  I had two small children and only a high school education.  A distant friend suggested I take over her secretarial job at a local HVAC company.  I interviewed with the owner and went to work the next day.  The owner is a valued friend these 20 years later.  My education in HVAC started immediately, there's nothing like 20 years on the job training!  Five years later I met my husband.  He started doing HVAC when he was 15.  That's over 45 years of experience.  We have been running our own business for 10 years.  We employ mostly family and friends and currently have 10 employees and turn away new customers frequently.  We wish to remain small, this enables us to know individual customers and follow thru with promised schedules.

Heat pumps are dominating the industry these days, so we will start there.  Heat pumps are electric and contain two units:  the indoor unit is called an air handler and the outdoor unit is the heat pump.  The indoor unit may be placed in an attic, basement, garage, crawlspace or closet.  The outdoor unit should be placed in close proximity.  Over the years heat pump efficiency has risen dramatically.  This efficiency rating is called SEER(seasonal energy efficiency rating). 

In January 2006 the Federal Government will put a law into effect stopping production of ALL equipment under 13 SEER.  This will increase the initial installation cost, but reduce your monthly electric bill.

Furnaces are another option.  Gas and oil furnaces may be placed inside in the same location as a heat pump.  Obviously, fuel lines must be run to this equipment.  Efficiency of gas and oil furnaces should be considered by the homeowner.  We only sell 90+ efficient furnaces.  They only require a small PVC exhaust vent run directly thru an outside wall(no running large metal pipe thru the roof).  They are usually smaller and always less costly of operate.  These 90+ furnaces require a condensate drain pumped to the outside, therefore we will not install in attic space.  The condensate has a tendenacy to freeze in the winter.  Straight A/C can be added to either system.

For custom built homes we suggest installing a Heat Pump with back up 90+ gas Furnace.  This system operates wonderfully and it gives the homeowner two heat sources.  The inital installation cost is a minimal investment with maximum return.  A fossil fuel kit is installed on the outdoor unit, we set this at 35 degrees.  So....when the outdoor temp hits 35 or lower your gas furnace runs and the heat pump shuts off.  Any temp over 35 will run your heat pump.  The fossil fuel kit may be set a any temp, for your comfort or for your choice of operating system.  The change from heat pump to furnace happens automatically, you do nothing.

Let's move on to ductwork.  You should request a wrapped metal trunkline with flexible duct to registers.  Wrapping the trunkline decreases heat/cooling loose.  Installers who use interior insulation are reducing airflow and increase the chance of mold developing.  NEVER allow someone to install ductboard in your home.  Some intallers do this because it is cheap and fast.  Ductboard is made of compressed fiberglass.  Over the years it will fall apart and you will be breathing it.  A big no, no in my book.

Here are a few things you should ask your installer about.  Brand of equipment, price, manufacturer warranty, installer warranty, suggested service, location of equipment, availability, install date, ask for satisfied customer list, how long installing.  The list could go on and on.  The best referral you can get is from your friends, ask them who they use.  We do not advertise at all, the company is not even listed in the phone book.  All of our business comes from customer referral, it is a great source, use it.

Hope my ramblings informed and entertained......have a great day!!

Barbara

OOPS....forgot to tell you...the easiest and cheapest maintenace a homeowner can perform is changing a filter