HVAC Contractors

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Spotting A Bad Air Conditioning Contractor

Are you in urgent need of an HVAC contractor to install a new air conditioning system in your house or renovate the existing unit? Keep in mind that skipping the research step would cost you a lot later. While there are reputable experts in Perth, some contractors may take your money and never come back. That’s why it’s essential to watch out for the following signs to avoid hiring a lousy service.

Only Require Cash

One of the most apparent signs of fraudsters is the cash-only requirements. The option to pay by credit card or check would be a better option to avoid any problems. Without supporting documents, you are likely to waste your money for a scam.

High Down Payment

A down payment is necessary for hiring workers and preparing equipment for a new installation of air conditioning system. On average, an HVAC should require about 50% of the payment before starting a project. If any professionals ask for more than this rate, you should be careful.

No Insurance and License

Even when you are rushing, it’s still better to check their insurance and license documents, which are compulsory in most states. Preferably insurances and license information should be specified on vehicles, business cards and proposals. This will prevent any situations with damages or accidents to your property.

So Many Subcontractors

Every contractor does need to outsource some specialty work, but so many subcontractors coming to your house can be a warning sign. You can’t be sure if they are fully licensed or check for their background.

Lack of References

If the HVAC contractor doesn’t give you references, chances are something might go wrong. Even when they claim to be just starting the business, it is advisable to go for one with more experience and expertise because installing a new HVAC system can be a significant investment.

If you are starting your research, consider working backwards. This means you should ask your family or friends who they want to recommend. The best references are undoubtedly the word-of-mouth referrals. Online sites are also a good option, though these aren’t always 100% reliable.

No Backup

Any professional HVAC contractor you choose to work on an AC or heating system should provide a physical address so that you can track them down when something goes wrong. Similarly, they should also provide the proof of skills such as professional certifications, official members of any associations, and warranties on equipment and work – which must be years rather than months to make sure that you can get what you paid for.

Zero Permits

Be careful with an HVAC contractor who claims that it isn’t necessary to have a permit for installing a new air conditioning system. Nearly all cities and states in Australia require every HVAC contractor to get permits and insurance before starting their businesses.

No Written Contract

A written and detailed contract is essential to ensure that you get the expected service. Make sure that the agreement includes the deadlines, materials used and cost estimates.

Aircon Bills

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Air Conditioning Tips To Lower Your Bills

Cooling a home during summer is important, but that does mean paying more on your power bills. Hot weather is here to stay, and it does not care whether you have the money or not. Luckily, there are several strategies you can use to cut down your air conditioning bills. RNR air conditioning helped us compile a few tips. For more AC advice, get in contact with them.

Quit working alone

A ceiling fan and air conditioner should be a team. Using them together will increase the temperature in the air conditioner by at least 5 degrees. As a result, your cooling costs will reduce. However, ensure that the fan moves clockwise to push down the cold air.

Stop cooling the neighbours

Sneaky cracks, worn window seals and doors can make cool air to seep outside or to your neighbours. If you are not sure of such a situation, you can sign up for an energy audit from a company that offers air conditioning services. The experts will check whether there are leaks in your home and give suggestions. You can go outside your house and feel the air coming out of the doors and windows. If there is leakage, put some insulation around the leaky windows and doors.

Set a high temperature

Setting your thermostat at low temperature is a no-no. Instead, set it high to save on power bills. Making a slight adjustment will save you money in both the long and short run. For instance, you can set a high temperature of 10-15 degrees, and you can save about 10% on cooling bills every year. According to research, you should set your thermostat temperature at 26 degrees Celcius when at home.

Upgrade the thermostat

Nest, Ecobee or Lyric are some of the smart thermostats you can use for an upgrade. These thermostats will help to control cooling and heating when you are away. You can use mobile apps to change the settings of a thermostat. Placing the thermostat on a base wall such as near a hot door, the air cooler will use more energy than it should. This is because thermostats have “brains” just like us.

The cooler will think the entire room is as hot as the area it is. You can install a thermostat that is programmable, and you will decrease your bills. Set the degrees a little warmer when no one is at home or during the night. Doing so can save you at least the 10% on your utility bills for each degree – if you raise thermostat above 26.

Shut all blinds

If your window or door allows the hot sun to penetrate inside your home, it will heat up the thermostat. Therefore, ensure all windows and doors are closed to keep out the hot sun. Besides, covering the blinds will also insulate the windows; hence cool air will not escape.

In summary, running air coolers can make power bills shoot up. Luckily, you can use these tips to stay cool and spend less. Just ensure nothing blocks the cooler’s vents to avoid the device from cooling the wrong objects.

Air Conditioning Shopping Guide

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Air conditioners are a hot item these days. With the temperature getting warmer and warmer, some people can’t stand the heat and are looking to buy an air conditioner. It helps stay as comfortable and as productive as during colder times where you either don’t need air conditioning or actually need to heat. However, there are many types of machines, with a lot of differing features. Here are a few guidelines to help out with the process of buying an air conditioner.

There are three main types of air conditioning: Window unit, portable unit, and the central unit. A window unit is an air conditioner that you put in a window frame, surrounded by wood or Plexiglas to keep the hot air out of the room and to help the conditioner stay in place. There are more horizontally-oriented window units, meant for guillotine windows and there are more vertically-oriented units, meant for windows that slide from right to left. Sometimes window-type units are actually put through a hole made in a wall. The said hole needs to be about the same size as the air conditioner. A portable unit is similar, except it is usually on wheels and has ducts to get the air in and out of the unit. You surround the ducts with Plexiglas or wood as it was done with the windows unit. Thus, they are not that mobile, but they are a little simpler to move around than window units. For central air conditioning, there is a unit located outside the building, which gets air inside the building through ducts going to multiple rooms. Sometimes, the central air conditioner is installed on the roof. Also, these central units are not connected to a power outlet.

The power of an air conditioning unit is calculated in BTUs, which stands for British Temperature Unit. Generally, the weakest window units start at 5000 BTUs, those are good to cool about 150 square feet. Window and portable air conditioners at 5000, 6000, 8000, 9000, 10000 and 12000 BTUs are easily available. At 12000 BTUs, you can cool about 550 square feet of room surface. Central air conditioners easily go beyond 12000 BTUs, since they are meant to cool bigger buildings, or cool buildings more evenly. In the case of window units, generally speaking, the more powerful the unit is, the bigger the unit gets, which also tends to mean that the installation will be harder.

To find out which air conditioner is right for you, you need to factor in the area you need to cover, the type of window you have, the space you have to put it in and the budget you can spend on it. It might need to be installed professionally, also consider that some companies might offer you to rent a unit and they will store it for you during the winter.

On the level of energy-saving, air conditioners on average get better energy ratings every year. They also get a little smaller as time goes by. When you also factor in the warranty, it is not such a bad investment to get a new air conditioner instead of bargain-hunting a used one, plus you will probably save time, which is also an advantage for you.

Thanks again for reading – Arms & Cole AC & Refrigeration Contractors