Climate Experts Air and Heat Blog: Archive for the ‘Local Business’ Category

How to Choose the Right HVAC Contractor

Friday, August 16th, 2019

Have you ever come home after a long day at work and your home feels like an oven? You scramble to check your thermostat and find the temperature to be above 80 degrees and climbing. What is wrong with my AC unit, you think to yourself. Who do I call to fix it? How much will it cost? Do I need a new air conditioning system? These are common questions that run through homeowners’ minds. I feel your pain, and in this article, I will explain to you how to narrow your search to find the best HVAC Contractor in your area.

The 10 Most Important considerations when choosing an HVAC Company

1. Reviews

The most important aspect of choosing a company to do business with is how previous customers felt about their service. Reviews will tell you a lot about a company. For example, were their technicians on time, was pricing affordable and flat rate, did they fix it the first time, and did customers feel the company was honest and professional? Recommended places to look for reviews online are Google, Facebook, Yelp, Angie’s List and the BBB.

2. Licensed & Insured HVAC Contractor

Always do business with a State licensed HVAC contractor. Licensed contractors need to carry a minimum amount of insurance, abide by strict codes, and participate in continuing education. Only licensed contractors can pull permits for HVAC installations and using someone who is not licensed can cause the city to fine homeowners for not pulling permits. Insurance will also cover any damages caused by the company’s negligence.

3. Background checked & Drug tested technicians

Air conditioning technicians are in your home and around your family. It is very important to have professionals you can trust in your home. Personal belongings can be stolen or you may be the victim of a burglary after an unscrupulous technician has shared information about high value items in your home.

4. Certified & trained technicians

The air conditioning field is constantly changing with new technology. Technicians with more training and certifications will be able to properly diagnose your system’s issue(s) much easier and faster than those that do not have the training. Companies that focus more on sales and less on training, will commonly send sales technicians to your home and attempt to sell you a new system, rather than giving you a repair option.

 

5. Employ NATE Certified Technicians

NATE is a well-known organization in the HVAC industry, known for its rigorous testing and high standards. NATE certification shows that technicians are knowledgeable and proficient in working on your HVAC system. Companies that employ NATE certified technicians show they are competitive in the job market and employ educated and informed HVAC technicians.

6. Same Day Service

When your AC system breaks, you want it fixed ASAP. Hire a company that can get to your home the same or next day. Companies that are booked 3-5 days out for a service call take on too much work and overbook. Make sure the company sends you job reminders and updates, so you know an accurate time of arrival of your technician.

7. Upfront Flat Rate Pricing

Choose an air conditioning company that offers upfront pricing before they do the work, and make sure it is flat rate. Companies that still charge hourly rates can send you an inexperienced technician who can rack up the bill while he is learning the trade. Flat rate pricing insures you get the best price no matter how long the repair takes. Flat rate pricing also protects the customer from technicians making up pricing on the go.

8. Install Quality HVAC Equipment

Nobody wants to purchase a brand new air conditioning system and watch it fall apart a couple of years after installation. HVAC Contractors who are focused on being the lowest bid to win the project typically cut corners by using cheaper brands of air conditioning equipment. These contractors focus on price over quality and it shows in their work. The manufacturer’s parts warranty does not cover rust, corrosion, or wear and tear. Go with a contractor who is aligned with a quality brand such as RHEEM, Trane, Carrier, or Lennox. Being a Pro Dealer for that brand also proves they have been tested by the manufacturer and are very experienced in installing that specific brand.

9 . Offer Financing

Your air conditioning system is the most expensive appliance in your home. To install an HVAC system can cost anywhere from $5,000-$10,000 depending on what type of system you purchase. Having low interest or no interest financing is extremely helpful to homeowners to make their HVAC purchase more affordable over time. Savings on your monthly electric bill may even surpass your monthly payment, so essentially you are not spending extra money on your brand new AC system.

10. Professional Service Vehicles and Uniforms

How a company’s service techs and service vehicles look will tell you a lot about a company. Unkempt service techs without uniforms show the standards of the company and that will most likely show in their workmanship. A company that brands itself professionally shows that they are here to stay in the community and strive to become the best air conditioning company in your local area.

Make the Right Choice

My last recommendation is to choose a company with friendly employees focused on customer service. Companies with happy and professional employees will ensure you are completely satisfied with their level of service and will always do their best. With this information, you should now be able to narrow down your search for the best HVAC Contractor in your area. Hire them and pull out your thickest blankets because it’s going to be a chilly night.

Contact Climate Experts

Call the trusted professionals at Climate Experts next time you need your HVAC unit serviced or repaired. Please call at (321-345-3415) or message us on Facebook!

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Air Conditioning Companies in Palm Bay Fl

Saturday, June 1st, 2019

Air Conditioning Companies in Palm Bay Fl

When you are searching for air conditioning companies in Palm Bay Fl, there seems to be an almost endless amount of options. When you need repairs or service on your HVAC unit you need to make the right choice. An HVAC unit is a major component (and possible expense) so you need to ensure it is functioning properly. When it comes time for service or repair, call the trusted professionals at Climate Experts!

What to look for when choosing air conditioning companies in Palm Bay fl

The City of Palm Bay Fl is one of the fastest expanding cities in Florida. Whether you have recently purchased a house, or are a long time resident considering selling in the near future, it’s important to make sure you HVAC unit is functioning properly. By performing regular maintenance on your HVAC unit, you are sure to keep it in working order. This protects the value of your home. We recommend having an annual service plan, which you can see here. This way you are always covered!

New Homes in Palm Bay Fl

Whether you search online or get a recommendation from a friend or family member, there are some things to keep in mind when researching air conditioning companies in Palm Bay Fl. If you take the time to look into the company further, it becomes clear who you can trust and who you cannot. When completing this research, look at the following:


  • Google and Social Media Reviews

    Take the time to check an ac repair company’s reviews. These reviews tell a story of how well they interact with customers, complete the work, and what they do in case there is an issue. Climate Experts (at the time of this article) has 95 Google review and 27 Facebook reviews, with a five star rating on both platforms. We’re proud of our reviews, because it shows we care about our customers.


  • Response Time and Communication

    Your time is valuable, especially if your air conditioner is not working. A good ac repair company will answer the phone promptly in a professional manner. If none one is available, you should be able to expect a call back quickly to help you solve your problem. At Climate Experts, if we cannot answer the phone immediately, we will call you back within 15 minutes. When you speak with the company, they should be friendly and not rushed.


  • Professional Appearance

    When you are looking at the ac repair company online, make not of their appearance. Are they in uniform? Do they have marked trucks? Is their equipment new and well taken care of? A good HVAC company will invest in themselves, and this should be apparent to you. When a company takes the time to ensure they are professional for their customers, there is a better chance they will provide good service, and stand behind it in the future.

Contact Climate Experts

When it comes time to research air conditioning companies in Palm Bay Fl make sure to check out Climate Experts! Please call at (321-345-3415) or message us on Facebook!

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How to Maintain Your Air Conditioning System

Sunday, June 3rd, 2018

How to Maintain Your Air Conditioning System​

Often I am asked, do I need to do anything to my air conditioning system to keep it running smoothly? Well in my opinion, getting maintenance for your HVAC system is just as important as getting an oil change for your vehicle. Although an air conditioner may run for years without any type of maintenance, it is more likely to have issues sooner than later. In this article, I will go over the essential steps to keeping your ac system running smoothly year round. 1.) Filters- The most important step to maintaining your HVAC system is using clean filters. Dirty filters can cause several issues that can lead to costly repairs. For example, an extremely dirty filter may cause more strain to your AC system that may contribute to motor burn out, lack of airflow to supply vents, and compressor failure. Using cheap filters or no filter will cause the accumulation of dirt and dust in the evaporator coil fins. Over time this can build up into a wall of dirt and block the flow of air through the coil. This will cause your evaporator to freeze up into a block of ice or severely restrict the flow of air to your supply vents. Cleaning an extremely dirty evaporator coil is called a “pull and clean”, which entails removing the evaporator coil and cleaning it with special chemicals. Costs can range from $500-$1,000 for a pull and clean. Simply using good filters and changing them frequently can prevent these issues. Recommended HVAC Filtration: Washable filters- I do not recommend washable filters because they do not offer good protection from fine dust particles. Washable filters are very cost-effective, but not effective at stopping dirt and dust from entering the evaporator coil.

Pleated 1” Filters- Pleated filter offer good protection for your HVAC system. These filters can stop fine dust particles from entering your AC system. Pleated filters are normally sold at hardware stores. I recommend pleated filters that are “MERV Rated”. These filters are rated for how much dirt and dust can be removed. The higher the MERV rating the more dirt and dust is stopped. I recommend a MERV rating from 6-11. Anything higher than this may cause too much static pressure and a lack of airflow to supply vents. Pleated filters are very cost-effective. Pleated filters are typically good for 1-3 months depending on traffic, pets, and return location. Pleated 5” Filters- These filters are for AC systems containing High-Efficiency Filter Rack Systems. A 5” filter is able to stop more dirt and dust and can last for up to a year without changing. These filters are very effective at stopping fine dust particles. 5” Pleated filters can become expensive though depending on what brand and rating is purchased. I recommend purchasing a MERV rating of 8 for these filters. Electronic Filters- These filters are very effective at stopping dirt and dust from entering your HVAC system. Dust particles are pulled into the filtration system, rather than getting caught in the filter. These systems usually have some sort of media that needs to be changed or washed. Electronic filters are good for those with allergies to dust and pollen particles. Electronic filtration systems are usually the most expensive and have a high initial investment. 2.) Cleaning The Drain Line- In split system air conditioning systems the condensate drain line carries water from the air handler drain pan to an outside location near the condenser unit. You can view this pipe as a white PVC pipe leaving the air handler. It travels to an exterior location of your home which is usually located near the condenser unit. You will see a PVC pipe near the condenser with water dripping out while the system is running. As water condensates off of the evaporator coil, it falls into the drain pan and travels through the drain line to an exit point outside of your home. The water falling off of the evaporator coil sometimes has clumps or dirt, dust or mildew in it, which over time can clog up your drain line. There are several ways to keep your drain line clean and preventing clogs or water backups. Pour Bleach, Chlorine, or white vinegar down the drain line- If you have an access port to add cleaning solutions to your drain line, you can pour about a cup of bleach, vinegar, or chlorine down the drain line to prevent build up. Shop-Vac the Drain Line- If you do not have an access port to add cleaning solutions to the drain line you may use a shop vacuum to clean the drain line. Find the exterior portion of the drain line and place the vacuum hose over the pvc fitting. Seal the vacuum hose with tape and let the vacuum run for 1-3 minutes. The vacuum will remove water in the drain line and dirt, dust and mildew. Nitrogen or Compressed air- If a shop vacuum is not able to clear your clogged drain line then it will need to be cleaned with nitrogen or compressed air. Air is blown through the drain line to release the clog and blow out contaminants causing water back- up. I recommend cleaning the drain line with either of these techniques, every 3 months, to prevent water back up. Water back can cause flooding and damage to your home and belongings. These two things are the most important and easiest maintenance procedures that need to be completed for optimal air conditioning performance.

Contact Climate Experts

If you’re interested a HVCA Maintenance Plan or have any further questions please contact us. Please call at (321-345-3415) or message us on Facebook! Catch minor problems before they become major ones, your wallet will thank you!

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