There’s nothing better on a hot summer’s day than stepping into a cool building, the hum of the air conditioner in the background, the brief escape from the heat. In places without air conditioning, summer takes a fast turn for the uncomfortable, becoming stifling and sometimes even dangerous. For the two-thirds of U.S. homes with air conditioners, choosing the right air conditioning unit is crucial. As winter approaches, we turn on the heat and watch our energy bills skyrocket. It’s a necessity, but one that drains the pockets of many. In fact, heating and cooling makes up almost half of a typical home’s energy use.
Choosing a contractor to install it is just as important. General contractor services extend far beyond general construction work. When choosing a contractor, you want to choose an HVAC contractor who can provide expert HVAC service and who works for a company of experienced professionals.
An experienced professional can educate you about your options, steering you towards the right equipment. For example, some of the newer models of gas furnaces have an efficiency rate of 97% – that’s over 10% above the lowest efficiency allowed by law. Considering that more than half of U.S. homes are heated by natural gas, this is pretty important information! Switching to a high-efficiency air conditioner can also help to cut energy costs by up to half and high-efficiency heating systems have an annual fuel utilization efficiency of more than 90%! Contractors can also install ductless mini split heating and cooling systems that avoid cooling loss caused by traditional ductwork. When choosing a contractor in heating and air conditioning services, it’s important to chose a dedicated professional with knowledge of how to help your home run as efficiently as possible.
It’s also important to know that installation is not the last time you’ll have need of a contractor’s services. Choosing a contractor becomes important again when it’s time to think about maintenance and repairs. Furnaces and boilers can both last over fifteen years and keeping up with maintenance helps to reduce energy output and costs. Servicing air conditioners regularly also helps to keep them running as efficiently as possible. As the U.S. spends billions on air conditioning a year, having as an efficient machine as possible is crucial.
When choosing a contractor it’s important to keep all of this in mind: professional knowledge, experience, dedication. Choosing a contractor can make your life easier and help you save money.
