It’s important to choose a credible HVAC installer. One who will design a heating/cooling system that fits your home’s unique comfort and efficiency needs.
As homeowners ourselves, our team understands it can be difficult to choose an installer to trust with your home project.
To help you navigate your HVAC installation process, we’ve outlined important questions relevant to almost every HVAC installer.
Here are 5 Questions to Ask Your HVAC Installer before you accept a project proposal.
Q1: What is the home’s heating/cooling load & how is it calculated?
This question is two-fold but should be answered confidently by your installer BEFORE you purchase your new system. In fact, the process should be completed before a system is designed and proposed to you!
One of the most accurate ways of calculating a home’s heating/cooling load is by performing a Manual J calculation.
Calculating a heating/cooling load is the first rule to properly sizing a system to meet a home’s comfort and efficiency demands. Without knowing this number, a system can easily be over/undersized. This can reduce overall system effectiveness and energy efficiency, potentially costing you more.
Q2: What are my comfort needs, long & short-term?
This isn’t a question your installer should be expected to know on their own, but it’s a question every installer should ask before designing your system.
If you have yet to have a sit-down conversation discussing your comfort needs, it’s unlikely the system design will suit them.
Do you sleep with your doors open or closed? This affects air-flow.
Is noise a huge concern? Some brands are quieter than others.
The specific use of each room currently and in the future, plans for more or less members living in the home and acknowledgment of the possibility of selling your home altogether to account for what will be attractive for the next buyer, are also factors to take into consideration.
Q3: What’s your warranty policy for the system’s equipment and installation work?
Understanding the warranty policy for your installer’s labor and the equipment used is crucial!
Equipment warranties vary by brand but your installer should be aware of the policy for your system. Your installer should also be able to offer information regarding their labor warranty policies. The warranty information discussed should also be included in the scope of work provided by your installer in written form.
For instance, Jay Moody HVAC offers a two-year labor warranty on all systems installed by our company. Additionally, we register applicable equipment warranties following every system installation. This information is included in our quotes and invoices in addition to being known by our team.
Q4: Can you provide references or customer testimonials?
You have likely reached out to the chosen installer(s) partly because of their positive reviews. But if you haven’t already scouted for reviews, or haven’t found many, it’s worth asking the installer if they have references and/or additional customer reviews.
Q5: What are your qualifications?
This may appear to be a relatively straightforward and obvious question, but the answers can tell you a lot about the credibility of the installer. Here are some qualifications to look for, especially if you are located in Massachusetts.
Licenses and Insurance
It’s important for your HVAC installer to be insured and have proper business licensing!
In the event of an accident or damage to your property during installation, the insurance will cover the costs and protect you from financial liability. Additionally, an insured installer demonstrates professionalism and a commitment to their work.
Equipment Contractor Status
Most manufacturers have their own network of registered contractors. While these networks may have various labels and statuses depending on the brand, they generally add an additional level of credibility that is important when installing a new system.
Here are a few of Jay Moody HVAC contractor statuses:
Heat Pump Installer Network Status (In Massachusetts)
For a heat pump system to qualify for Mass Save incentives, the system must be installed by a member of Mass Save’s Heat Pump Installer Network (HPIN).
Jay Moody HVAC is a proud member of the HPIN and offers extensive expertise regarding the Mass Save process.
This qualification remains relevant, even if you don’t plan to utilize Mass Save. Choosing an installer within this network is an additional step to ensure your installer’s credibility.
If you are located in Central Massachusetts and looking for a qualified installer for your HVAC project, a member of our on-staff engineering team would be happy to come to your home for a consultation and to deliver a free quote.
Please send us an email below if you would like to schedule a quote and, as always, feel free to comment any home service questions you may have!
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