HVAC

When choosing an HVAC company to install new heating or cooling equipment in Downers Grove, IL, you want one that is licensed and insured. Licensing and insurance are essential for protecting your interests, but they aren’t sure signs that you’ve found the right provider. The best HVAC companies will consider the needs and nuances of your household and living space. They’ll also offer expansive services and cutting-edge, high-quality products. The following seven tips will help you identify the perfect HVAC contractor for your next project.

1. Ask About the Manual J Load Calculation

When homeowners source heat pumps or air conditioners on their own, they risk choosing units that are either too large or too small for their intended service areas. Correctly sizing HVAC equipment is far more than matching BTUs to square footage. It’s also important to consider:

  • Window sizes and locations
  • Household sizes
  • Insulation types and amounts
  • Ceiling heights
  • Building layouts

The Manual J Load Calculation is a complex calculation that considers these and many other factors. It’s so comprehensive and complex that many HVAC companies use special software to run it. Using Manual J is the best way to avoid size-related issues like short cycling, inefficient operation, overheating, and premature equipment failure. Any qualified HVAC contractor should rely on the Manual J for sizing.

2. Check for Indoor Air Quality Support

Indoor air quality (IAQ) services are often necessary for optimizing home safety and comfort. They include integrated accessories like whole-house air purifiers, dehumidifiers, and air scrubbers. Many companies throughout the region offer IAQ testing, upgraded HVAC air filters, and other IAQ support to help consumers get the most from their climate control systems.

Ensuring your air quality is sufficiently high can prevent the development of unpleasant IAQ-related symptoms like sniffling, sneezing, and respiratory distress. It can also make new HVAC installations last a bit longer.

3. Look for an Impressive Range of Products

Shop for companies that offer multiple choices in heat pumps, ductless mini-split systems, air conditioners, heaters, and integrated HVAC accessories. Even with impressive efficiency ratings, not all HVAC equipment models are guaranteed to work well for every home. With plenty of options, you are more likely to find HVAC replacements that fit your budget, needs, and goals.

4. Seek Out Professionals That Take the Time to Explain Your Options

We help our clients make informed decisions when choosing HVAC replacements. If you don’t know what a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating is, you’ll struggle to compare AC models. Look for companies willing to explain the difference between new and emerging HVAC refrigerants, exhaust venting options, central and zoned systems, and other factors.

5. Expand Your Budget With Financing

If you lack a sizable budget for your next HVAC installation, look for companies that partner with reputable lenders. On approved credit, you can expand your budget to target high-quality, feature-rich models with superior efficiency.

6. Search for Ongoing Support

Successful HVAC installation is only the beginning. All heating and cooling equipment should be professionally serviced at least once each year. Staying on top of annual tune-ups is essential for maintaining compliance with HVAC equipment manufacturer warranties. It’s also key to keeping your new heater, air conditioner, or heat pump working efficiently. Choosing an installer that offers quality maintenance services is a great way to extend the lifespan of your equipment and ensure that the available technicians understand the models you own.

7. Check for a Lengthy Service History

When choosing an HVAC installer, search for companies with significant industry experience. Seasoned contractors have encountered and solved multiple heating and cooling problems throughout the years. They also understand how to streamline their services to suit individual homes and households, and they know how to complete these jobs with consistently successful results.

We’ve been proudly serving Downers Grove, IL and the surrounding cities since 1977. We offer an expansive selection of heaters, heat pumps, air conditioner installation, and ductless mini-split systems. We also provide advanced indoor air quality improvements, first-rate HVAC maintenance services, and financing on approved credit. To find out more about who we are and what we do or to schedule an appointment, get in touch with Fire 'n' Ice Heating & Cooling Inc. today.

company icon