Install New Furnace

Is it time to install a new furnace in your home? If you are thinking about installing a new heating system in your home there are several things to consider.

First of all, consider why you are thinking about a new furnace: is it completely broken, is it costing you money in repairs or high heating bills? If so, then it may make sense to replace it. Obviously if your furnace has been condemned you would want to replace it for safety reasons. I would like to briefly touch on one other reason, and that may be because a technician may have told you that you need a new one because of costly repairs. While you may trust your technician, and he or she may be a great one, I would encourage you to get a second opinion from a certified, trained technician with years of experience. Many times I have been called in to give an estimate on replacing an entire system only to find out that what the previous company presented as a potential nightmare in costs was really just a way to make a sale. Many times.....I would say at least one in ten or so, I find out that if we replace a part or make an adjustment we can get the unit up and running. So make sure you get that second or even third opinion....it could save you a lot of unneeded expense.

If you are sure that you need to replace your system then start with the basics: 

1) Have several estimates. I like it when a customer has done their research because it tells me they are serious, informed, and will have a basic knowledge about the process since they have talked with several contractors. These estimates will also give you a good range of pricing and capabilities of contractors.

2) Don't be dazzled by a bunch of amazing guarantees and bells and whistles. Keep the conversation on which equipment will be recommended and why, how the new system will meet your needs, who is actually going to be installing the unit, in fact I would recommend you tell the contractor that you want to meet the actual installer before you make your decision. Nothing's worse than buying from a clean cut, friendly representative of a heating and air company only to find out that the actual installation might be done by someone who you can't wait to get out of your house.

3) Make sure the company you talk to is going to pull a permit. There is no reason a reputable company would talk you out of pulling a permit. The installation is going to be dealing with electricity and gas...not something you want to take a chance with....get a second set of eyes on that install. A good tip I have learned thru the years: If I hear an installer or salesman or technician say, "are you going to want me to pull a permit?" I know right away that this person has different standards of work depending on if he thinks someone will be checking up on the work. Any great installer or technician wants people, including the inspector to see his work.....it's called pride of workmanship and that's what you want, someone who is proud of the work they do.

4) Make sure your ductwork is inspected. No one has so many years of experience in heating and air conditioning that they can just look at your furnace and decide what needs to be done. The furnace is what has the blower for your system, which moves the air thru the house....therefore a check up of the existing ductwork is crucial for how the furnace or air handler will work. A great technician will not only look at the visible condition of the ductwork, but also the connections at the collars and plenums, as well as make some assessment of the general design of the duct system. If the tech doesn't inspect your ductwork without you mentioning it, I would suggest passing on that contractor and looking for someone more thorough.

I could go on and on, but hopefully the above four recommendations will give you a good start in your search for a good contractor.

If you live in the Sacramento area feel free to give me a call or write me a note either on this blog or my website, which you will find at the right side of this article.

Take Care,

The HVAC tech.

Cooler Weather in Rancho Cordova

Thinking about replacement or repair of your worn out furnace? The weather has started to change already as September is nearly over. Today is supposed to be Cool and possibly rainy...reminds me of my days in Florida...well, without the cool part....

....which brings us to the reality that we need to start planning ahead for colder weather. When was the last time you had your furnace or heat pump checked out by a trained technician? If you are wanting to get a head start on the weather give me a call. I will come out to your home and check it out thoroughly. What is different about my service? Well, first of all I am the owner of A1 Heating and Air in Rancho Cordova, servicing all of the Sacramento area. As an owner I am very concerned about my customers needs.

There won't be any fifteen or even thirty minute quickie service checks...I will be thorough and clean as much of your unit as I can in about one hour to an hour an a half depending on what kind of shape the heating system is in. Heat pumps do take a little less time than furnaces because gas furnaces are typically dirtier.

If there are any parts that need to be replaced I will let you know without the cheap sales pitch. If you are like me you will appreciate that. I know that when I take my car in to my favorite mechanic I expect him to let me know before parts are broken. He will let me know how much time to expect the part to last and then let me make the decision. I handle it the same way, understanding that everyone's situation is different.

My prices will be reasonable. I am not the cheapest, I can't be because I take extra time and do a thorough job. One thing you can count on, I refuse to change a part just to make a fast buck. I don't believe in that because people who live that way don't get repeat business or referrals, which are important if you want to stay in business. I am from the old school where everyone knew everyone else by their reputation and integrity and so I think about that in everything I do.

Make sense? If you like what you hear give me a call at 916-751-6060 and I will be happy to set an appointment to come out to your home to review your furnace and maintain, repair, or even replace, only if that is necessary. You can check out my website at www.a1heatcool.com as well.

Take care and enjoy this great weather!!!

James Merts

Sizing of Heating and Air Conditioning Equipment

Most homeowners do not know the proper way to size equipment for their home (and some people in the trade embarrassingly). So I want to talk a minute about sizing.

Back in the day we sized by square footage of the home. Not so any more. And if ever there was a time where bigger isn't better it's now in the heating and air business. In fact we are trying to go as small as possible both to increase efficiency as well as to increase comfort.

So how do we do it? I size the equipment using a computer program which takes into account insulation, orientation of the home, window area, type and design of ductwork, location of ductwork and other things that will effect the amount of btu's needed as well as the amount of air flow.

I know quite a few installers and salesmen who will just upsize the unit a half or even an entire ton if the customer complains the unit "isn't keeping up".  This is the exact wrong thing to do in most cases.

Another component to sizing arises when it comes to multiple floors and when zoning is involved. A properly designed zoning system can help reduce the sizing needed but only if it is engineered correctly.

If you need help with sizing make sure the technician that comes out to your home explains exactly how size will be determined and don't consider yourself lucky if you get a bid on equipment where you are getting a lower price on a size that is larger than what some of the other contractors are bidding. Much of the cost of installation has to do with the ductwork many times so that cost may be reflected in their bid, while in my experience the crummy contractors will just upsize the equipment to compensate for the fact that they will not be addressing some of the other more complicated issues that arise with ductwork.

If you live in the Sacramento area and would like to contact me about this just give me a call at 916-751-6060 or visit my website at www.a1heatcool.com and complete the contact form.

Take Care!

James
A1 Heating and Air

As we are nearing the end of summertime it is a great time to get a jump on the heating season. Before long it will be time to turn on your furnace for the first time.
     If you haven't had your furnace serviced in a while or if you are ready to make a change to a new servicing company give me a call at 916-751-6060 or visit my website A1 Heating and Air to talk some more or schedule an appointment.
     Some of the things I do with a heating system are safety related:
         Is the unit lighting and combusting properly
         Is the blower moving enough air to deliver the proper amount of airflow.
         Is the flu working properly and attached properly.
         Has the blower door safety switch been bypassed.
         Is there higher than acceptable CO in the home.

     Other things I will do are more maintenance related:
         Is any cleaning required:  blower, furnace compartment, flame sensor, coil, filter etc. some of these things are included in the routine maintenance and others are an additional charge depending on the time and complexity of cleaning.
    
     Many people in the SMUD and Roseville Utility areas have heat pumps because of the relatively low electric rates. Many of the things I do will be the same except for the things obviously related to a gas fired furnace.

So if you would like to get a jump ahead on the heating season give me a call and I will be happy to come out to your home for service on your heating system.