Turlock and Modesto are great markets for home ownership. If you’re a new homeowner, you certainly understand the excitement involved in owning something so valuable and that belongs to you. But, unfortunately for many new homeowners, some of that excitement can quickly turn to disappointment when they begin to get nickel and dime’d off of the many costly repairs and unforeseen problems with faulty components or in various aspects of their brand new property.
At Wally Falke’s, there’s nothing we care about more than making our customers happy, so we’ve prepared this article for you to help you get a clear understanding, at least from a perspective of HVAC, of what some of those pitfalls are and how you can avoid them. Best of all, these tips and tools will add years to your property value and give you peace of mind, knowing that you’re able to enjoy your home the way you intended to.
First, we have to establish a basic understanding of how an HVAC system works in order to understand why the following tips and principles are so beneficial.
When it comes to functionality and cost effectiveness, the most important thing to understand is efficiency. The efficiency of a Heating and Air Conditioning unit is measured by SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio), EER (energy efficiency ratio), or HSPF (heating seasonal performance factor) ratings. When a unit has a higher rating, this means that it is more efficient, and thus, has more energy and cost saving potential.
Further, in general, when it comes to heating, heat pumps are more efficient than furnaces, which burn natural gas in order to heat your home. The only caveat to this is when temperatures get below freezing, which is the point when heat pumps aren’t quite as effective. But in general, when it comes to heating your home, a heat pump is going to be the most efficient means of doing so.
Also, you have to take into account how many square feet you are trying to heat. It is for this reason, among many others, that when it comes to the heating and air requirements of our fellow community members, consulting with a qualified Turlock HVAC expert is your best bet when it comes to making sure you make the right decision. There really are lots of complex calculations that go into making sure your home is being serviced optimally.
DOING THE WORK
When it’s time to have a professional HVAC contractor come in and begin making all of these improvements to your heating or air conditioning system, there are a couple of things you’ll definitely want to keep in mind.
- Make Sure You Work With An HVAC Contractor With A Good Reputation
Ask people who you know in the area, like friends or family, if they know of or have worked with a reputable HVAC company in the recent past, and the experience they had with them. You can also make a post on social media, asking for recommendations, or read reviews online.
At Wally Falke’s, we’ve been servicing our Turlock and Modesto area neighbors with heating and air conditioning problems since 1969, and have seen pretty much anything you could possibly see when working on heating and air conditioning units. Feel free to check out our testimonials page and click here to see some of our reviews online.
Also make sure that the HVAC contractor you work with is licensed, bonded, and insured. This is to protect your investment, and guarantee that the work is performed up to industry and regulatory standards.
MAINTENANCE
The larger the unit, the shorter the service life will be in general. Make sure you take into account your home’s size before deciding on a heating and air conditioning solution. Work with someone who will help you calculate exactly how many square feet or heating and cooling you need, and assess where the ducts are, so you can maximize the energy efficiency of your home.
Always remember that an HVAC system is an investment; it’s something that’s going to continue to work for you for years to come to provide comfort, convenience, and energy savings. That’s why it’s absolutely critical to install a good system up front. Cheap, poorly made systems may seem like a good idea at first, but once you realize how much more you pay for them over time, you’ll quickly realize how much of a bad investment installing a poorly made, cheap air conditioning or heating unit will be.
Make sure to have your HVAC unit thoroughly inspected, cleaned of dust and debris, and serviced at least once per year to avoid costly problems and ensure your home remains comfortable year round. Typical things that need to be checked are the indoor coils, outdoor coils, the air filters, and much more. By working with a professional, licensed Turlock Neighbor HVAC Contractor, you can ensure that your investment is being protected year round, and that your system will remain running optimally for your home and for the environment.
TIME TO SAY GOODBYE?
Your Heating and Air Conditioning systems may not need to be replaced, but they might, based on a few factors that you should consider and keep in mind. For instance, if the cost of repairs exceeds 50% of the cost of a brand new system, then it makes sense just to get a new system. At Wally Falke’s we have discounts available on new installations and financing available that definitely make this the best option for some scenarios, but not all.
The age of your system also has a tremendous amount to do with whether or not the system should be replaced or simply maintained. If you’re dealing with an old system that hasn’t been replaced in a very long time, isn’t working as intended, or costs to maintain it are growing, it’s also probably time to take a look at new, more advanced technology offered in new systems, like a ductless air conditioning system, which is about 25% more energy efficient than a traditional air conditioning system.
Finally, if your unit doesn’t have enough SEERs (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) – generally this means anything that doesn’t have more than 12 or 13 – or if it isn’t quite the right size for your property, then in that case, it makes sense to install an updated unit. You don’t want your heating or air conditioning solution to cost you more to operate long term than it costs to solve the problem!
Hopefully this shed some light on some of the decisions new home buyers will have to make regarding their HVAC is concerned. As always, we welcome you to reach out with any questions you have about your heating and air conditioning needs and we’ll do our best to assist you. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comment section below. and someone will get back to you shortly.
