Questions You Should Be Asking Your HVAC Technician

To be a smart consumer you should be well informed and know all the right questions to ask your HVAC technician before making a purchase.

Purchasing new HVAC equipment will be a large investment for your home and one that you’ll be relying on for many years to come, so it’s important that you make the right choice for your HVAC unit. Before you make the purchase, here are the key questions that you should ask your HVAC technician:

Can you give me an estimate for the cost?

Before the technician arrives at your home make sure that you ask for an estimate so that you know how much the work is going to cost you. If you’re not happy with the estimate you’re given then it’s in your best interest to shop around and find the best deal for you.

Can I see your qualifications?

Before you hire someone to do any sort of HVAC work in your home you should verify that they are qualified for the job. In Ontario this means that they have a gas license and a TSSA Contractor Registration number to work on gas appliances and a refrigeration license which is needed for air conditioning work. If you make the mistake of hiring an unqualified HVAC technician then you put yourself at risk of causing damage to your equipment or your home which can result in very expensive repairs.

How often do I need to get maintenance for my HVAC unit?

To keep your HVAC unit in good shape and running efficiently, you need to know how to maintain your unit and how often maintenance should be done. An HVAC technician is required for some maintenance tasks, so ask how often a service call is needed.

What energy efficient models are available?

A qualified and reputable HVAC technician should be able to go over all the options that are available to you before you make the purchase. Although energy efficiency options may have a higher initial cost, they will save you money over time as you end up paying less on your monthly utility bill. An indication of an energy efficient HVAC unit is an Energy Star certification.

What new technologies do you have available that I should consider?

Just like in other industries, there is constant innovation in the HVAC sector with new technology emerging frequently. It may be in your interest to consider some of the new options that are available such as a ductless HVAC system or a programmable thermostat.

What does BTU mean (and other HVAC terminology)?

There are a number of terms that your technician may use that could confuse you if you’re not familiar with HVAC terminology. To make an educated decision, ask about any terms that you don’t understand, like British thermal units (BTUs) or seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER), which often come up in conversation.

Do you offer any warranties or protection for my equipment?

When purchasing new equipment, make sure to ask about warranties and equipment and service guarantees. If you’re getting a repair, then check if your equipment is still under warranty, as repair cost may be covered.

Get A Quote

 

CALL US NOW TO GET A 2 MINUTE QUOTE OVER THE PHONE

If you have any questions regarding any of your HVAC concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us at any time. Our highly trained and experienced technicians are more than prepared to assist you with any of your HVAC problems. We provide efficient and quick furnace and air conditioner replacement done by our team of certified HVAC professionals. We offer a variety of furnace, air conditioner, and water heater rental, purchasing, and financing options. Give us a call at  1 (855) 998-2998 or fill out our online request form and we will be happy to assist you with your request.

Easy Rentals...

get total piece of mind with our High Efficiency Furnace and Air Conditioner Rental Program.

 

The post Questions You Should Be Asking Your HVAC Technician appeared first on DeMark Home Ontario Furnaces, A/C, Water Heaters.

Should I Turn My Furnace Off in The Summertime

Turning your furnace off in the summer can have several benefits, but it’s important that you know more about your furnace first before you turn it off.

The summer season is almost here! Pretty soon your furnace won’t be needed for months to come and your AC will become an essential appliance in your home once again. With your furnace not being used for so long, you may wonder if you should turn your furnace off during the summer. We suggest that you do, and we’ve created a guide to help you during that process.

Do I turn off the pilot light in the summer?

Old furnaces have a small and continuously burning flame called a pilot light that is used to ignite the burners during every heating cycle. If you have an old furnace, you should turn off the pilot light in the summertime for a few reasons. As the pilot light burns it generates heat and moisture that is unwanted in your home during the hot summer season. There’s no need to add any unwanted heat in your home during the summer, so simply turning off the pilot light will make your home slightly cooler than before. Also, by turning off the pilot light you ensure that no one will accidentally crank on the heat in your home on a burning hot summer day.

The pilot light will also continue burning gas even when the furnace isn’t set to “heat”. This means that the continuously burning pilot light will cost you money in the summer when the furnace isn’t even in use. Turn off the pilot light in the summer to save money and energy.

How do I turn my furnace off?

Wait until it’s consistently warm outside before you turn off your furnace. It can be cool during the night all the way until May, so don’t turn off your furnace to soon.

When the time has come, here are the steps to follow:

• Turn the pilot light off by tuning the knob to the “off” position.
• Turn off the furnace’s main gas supply. If your stove or water heater are also powered by natural gas, make sure that you don’t shut off the gas supply to the entire house.
• Now would also be a great time to change your furnace filter, so when it’s time to use your furnace again in autumn, it’s clean and ready for use.

Should modern high efficiency furnaces be turned off in the summer?

A modern mid to high efficiency furnace has an electric ignition instead of a pilot light. This means that it does not constantly burn gas to keep the pilot light on. This makes it unnecessary to turn off a modern furnace for the summer. Although, you should still change your furnace filter before the summer comes to make sure that your furnace will be ready for use come autumn.

Should I turn my furnace off if my furnace and air conditioner work together?

A furnace that works together with your air conditioner is called a forced air furnace. If you have this type of furnace, then it is often the case that your furnace controls the air conditioner’s fans. In this situation, the air conditioner can only circulate cool air when the furnace is turned on. So, if you have a forced air furnace, do not turn it off in the summertime.

Get A Quote

 

SAME DAY AND NEXT DAY SERVICE AND INSTALLATION AVAILABLE

We hope that this guide has helped you to get your home ready for the hot weather that’s approaching. If you have any further questions regarding turning your furnace off in the summer or you have any other HVAC concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us at any time. Our highly trained and experienced technicians are more than prepared to assist you with any of your HVAC problems. We provide efficient and quick furnace and air conditioner replacement done by our team of HVAC professionals. We offer a variety of furnace and air conditioner rental, purchasing, and financing options. Give us a call at  1 (855) 998-2998 or fill out our online request form and we will be happy to assist you with your request.

Easy Rentals...

get total piece of mind with our High Efficiency Furnace and Air Conditioner Rental Program.

The post Should I Turn My Furnace Off in The Summertime appeared first on DeMark Home Ontario Furnaces, A/C, Water Heaters.