Air conditioners are important for homes, as they help improve the air quality of a given house, reduce humidity, prevent the growth of mold and mildew, prevent devices from overheating, and keep the home free of allergens. During the heat of summer, people can feel the true extent of their dependence on air conditioning systems. This is why it is important to seek the help of the right HVAC contractor for regular maintenance services.
Air conditioning services offered by HVAC contractors
AC system installation
There could be various reasons for individuals to consider installing a new air conditioning system. For example, when moving into a new home, one of the first things individuals may ensure is to have their air conditioning set up, fully installed, and running. Plus, many residential and commercial buildings may have strict requirements regarding HVAC equipment maintenance, replacement, and periodic upgrades. Additionally, a building undergoing redevelopment might need to be retrofitted with new or larger air conditioning systems. For this, it is recommended that licensed professionals install air conditioning. Reputable air conditioning installers know the right process for installing air conditioning systems and can execute the task with minimal wastage of time and resources. Although homeowners can install portable air conditioners alone, this is generally not recommended. Improper DIY installation can cause poor system performance, energy wastage, and expensive energy bills.
AC system maintenance
Air conditioning systems are used heavily all year. The usage can result in system wear and deteriorating performance. Homeowners are generally recommended to pay professionals to maintain their air conditioning systems regularly throughout the year to avoid these issues. The contractors will check the refrigerant levels of cooling systems, change air filters, and clean vents and fans, and ensure the system works at its true potential. More importantly, regular maintenance measures inform homeowners about any malfunctioning component in their air conditioning set-up. With that information, they can rectify the problem before it gets worse. Customers can hire local contractors and subscribe to annual maintenance plans and packages to streamline air conditioning inspection.
AC system repairs
HVAC contractors perform repairs to rectify issues spotted in an air conditioning system. Among the tasks involved in air conditioning system repairs are pinpointing the leakage source and plugging it, testing thermostats, replacing supply lines, replacing broken filters, and repairing any damage to refrigerants in a cooling system.
AC system replacement
When an air conditioning system has been used for a long time, typically around ten years and above, its components are likely to be completely worn out. Continuing to use these systems can lead to energy waste, poor performance, and other similar issues. To prevent these issues, HVAC contractors can replace an existing air conditioning unit with a brand new one in a house.
Average cost of air conditioning repairs and replacements
Most homeowners spend anywhere between $3,600 and $8,200 having professional contractors install a central AC in their house. The cost of HVAC repair ranges from $130 to $2,000, depending on the extent of work needed to get the system fully operational again. Regular air conditioning tune-up (maintenance) costs range from $70 to $250, with a national average of $130.
When to call an HVAC contractor for air conditioning services
Air conditioning systems come with an in-built forced-air system combined with a chemical known as a refrigerant. This combination removes heat from indoor air and sends it outdoors. Refrigerants can be harmful to the occupants of a given home. This is why if a regular system inspection shows that an air conditioner is leaking refrigerants, it becomes necessary to repair or replace it. Other than this, contacting an HVAC contractor becomes essential if an air conditioning unit is not providing adequate cooling or if there is a spike in one’s energy bills.
Individuals must do their research before choosing HVAC contractors. An experienced and reputed air conditioning installer or repair company can do a better job than a rookie contractor.
Factors to consider before choosing contractors
Choosing a contractor from a dozen options can be challenging for customers. Certain tried and tested consideration factors make the decision-making process simpler.
Licensing and certification
Proper licensing and certification are official validations of a contractor’s knowledge, skills, and level of experience to handle air conditioning repairs, replacements, inspections, or maintenance activities. Some companies that offer these services might not have the necessary paperwork. In that case, customers should avoid hiring such contractors, as that can result in poor quality of service and post-service care.
References and referrals
A company’s referrals indicate the quality of their work in the past. Glowing recommendations from customers who have used a given contractor’s service indicates that the quality of their service is consistently high.
Best practices
A contractor must adhere to best practices while executing their work. They should avoid cutting corners or taking shortcuts that could lead to issues for homeowners in the future. To ensure this, customers should verify that the contractor follows official safety guidelines, provides warranties and guarantees for their work, and uses high-quality products and materials.
Popular HVAC companies
Some HVAC contractors are known for the quality of their service and their positive track record among thousands of customers.
- Tudor HVAC Mechanical, Inc
- California Air Conditioning Systems, Inc
- Tri State Air, Inc
- Hill-Air Heating & Air Conditioning
- EcoMech Geothermal Heating and Air Service