subject: Why Hire A Heating Contractor? [print this page] There are plenty of simple home improvement jobs that are handled by handymen. In some cases, they may be asked to deal with problems with the heating or refrigeration systems. While some of them may have enough knowledge to get a unit going during the appropriate season or protect it from the elements when its turned off, actually changing or repairing these systems is specialty work. A heating contractor is a specialist in these systems. They usually work as refrigeration contractors, as well, as the two fields are closely related and much of their knowledge applies to both heating and air conditioning.
A heating contractor understands how to design and install heating and refrigeration systems from the ground up. While these are integrated into your house, its important to remember that an air conditioning unit and a furnace are actually not parts of a home. They are machines that convert energy to heat or that reduce heat in the environment. Having a handyman do air conditioning repair is a bit like having a carpenter change the oil filter on your car. They may get it done, but not always and not necessarily up to standards and codes.
When you hire a heating contractor, you hire someone who understands both the mechanics of the heating and cooling equipment and the workings of your ventilation systems. This ensures that theyre aware of the effects of any of their work on one part of the system on all the other parts of the system. HVACthe acronym means Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioningtechnicians balance systems and make sure that heating and cooling are even in every room. They also deal with obstructions in the vents, filtration and some very significant safety issues.
For a heating contractor, one of the most important things is efficiency. While efficiency is usually thought of in economic terms, it also has health consequences. When a furnace is burning inefficiently, it produces carbon monoxide. This is a colorless, odorless and very deadly gas. Its a heavy gas, so it collects low in the room and gradually overtakes the atmosphere. When it does, it can cause poisoning and death from lack of oxygen. When efficiency is an issue, there is far more than some extra money every month being risked. This is why heating work should always be handled by a licensed heating contractor.
A heating contractor will also likely be able to serve as your refrigeration contractor. This means that its easy enough to keep your systems in good shape. Most of these contractors will come out and turn on cooling and turn off heating in the summer or vice versa in the winter as a regular service. This gives them a chance to inspect your system for problems before you even get started with the heating or cooling season. If you find a good contractor, remember that they can be a resource in this regard and ask if theyll schedule you for this type of service.
