Some Helpful Answers For Astute Plumber Solutions
Learn Some Excellent Advice About Purchasing HVAC Equipment
There are some people who are fortunate enough to live in temperate climates where the weather is always perfect. For the rest of us, we need good HVAC systems that keep us cool in the summer and warm in the winter. For help finding such a system, read the following article.
When a contractor gives you a list of references, be sure to make use of it. Call the people on the list and ask about the quality of the work, how closely they came to their quote and whether or not the work was completed according to the promised timeline.
Clean your permanent air filters or replace disposable ones every single month. If you have the choice, an electrostatic is the best option on the market today. Be sure to turn off your unit before you change the filter as it should never be run without a filter in place.
Get any agreement with an HVAC contractor in writing. Some contractors try to skip over this step and charge customers a fortune. If you have a certain price and warranty in writing, they cannot go back and change this information. If they do, they could have a lawsuit on their hands.
Look for discounts wherever possible. HVAC systems can be rather costly, so you'll want to seek out whatever discounts and deals that may be out there. When shopping around, ask about any current specials running, and look for discounts that are related to ENERGY STAR compliance. Both can save you a lot of cash.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double pane ones. Double pane windows help minimize your air conditioning use in the summer by keeping the cooler air inside your home. It also facilitates heat retention in winter.
To reduce the air conditioning's energy cost, close drapes, blinds and shades that cover windows which face the sun. Also, white shades will reflect the heat away from the house, keeping it cooler and saving you money. It is also recommended that you close the vents in rooms that are not used often. This will ensure that you are not spending money cooling less-used rooms.
Look for sizing calculators based on the air conditioner you have to figure out how big of a unit you need in your home. If you buy something too large it won't be efficient as it cools the same. Check the manufacturer's handbook to see what amount of space the unit can effectively cool.
Have your HVAC inspected every year to ensure that it is working properly. The technician will check your filters, drain lines, air flow and Freon levels. This will have your HVAC working at peak performance saving you money all season long. It will also alert you to any repairs that need to be address before they become big problems.
Make sure things don't get too hot or cold where your thermostat is. Any electronics or heat sources like lamps or televisions nearby can trick the thermostat into thinking the home is warmer than it actually is. This just means it runs your air conditioning longer than necessary, wasting energy and money.
Improve the efficiency of your air conditioning by installing ceiling fans. Change the airflow direction of the ceiling fans. During the summer, the blades should move in a counter-clockwise direction. During the winter, the blades should move clockwise to help move the hot air in the ceiling down into the room.
When you are looking to buy a new air conditioner, consider your climate. If you live in a hot, dry area, then an evaporative cooler will be your best bet. If you live in a humid area, opt for a compressor-style unit as it's the only one which will work.
Make sure your HVAC is clear when working outside. You should try keeping any vegetation about two feet away from your outdoor units. Keep the areas above it and on each side of it clear. Make sure you aim your grass clippings away from the unit when mowing. Keep leaves from getting inside your unit in the fall.
While price should be one of the considerations you make when you are hiring an HVAC contractor, do not allow it to cloud your judgement. There are other factors that need to be considered in order to make a sound decision. Experience level, work ethic and positive reviews are a few things that should be considered as well.
Every season inspect the outdoor condenser unit of your HVAC system. Remove any weeds and leaves that may be obstructing air flow to the unit. Hose off the inside and outside of the unit to remove any dirt build up. Cover the motor with plastic bags prior to rinsing the unit so that you do not get it wet.
A great way to ensure that the HVAC professionals you hire are up to the task is to take steps to verify that they possess proper licensing and certification. Failing to check these very important credentials can cause you to hire someone who is more likely to do more harm than good and charge you a great deal of money along the way.
The biggest step to preventing problems in your air conditioner is getting a professional tune-up once a year. This is especially important before the summer. This is when your air conditioning system will be working its hardest. Getting regular tune-ups reduces the risk of malfunctions and will keep you cool all summer long.
If you feel like you are spending too much money on your heating and cooling, there is a simple way to reduce this cost. Raise or lower the temperature depending on the season. A single degree in temperature change can equate to almost a nine percent savings in cooling and heating costs.
If you want to buy a new HVAC unit or system, ask a contractor to come up to size up your home and tell you what options you have. They'll have the best advice as they know what sort of systems work in your area or in a home like yours.
If you are having an existing HVAC system repaired or website getting something new installed, ask them to install a programmable thermostat. You will realize real savings when the system is allowed to rest at night while you are asleep.
Don't get caught up in the myth that you have to have a huge system in order to get great service. Things have changed a lot in the past few decades. Things like how much insulation you have, the climate you live in and the number of people in the house will all affect the size of the HVAC.
When your HVAC system fails during extreme hot or cold seasons, that can spell a disaster for anyone. You must have this knowledge in advance though. The tips you learned here can help you to make a great HVAC choice when the time comes.
NBC 5 Responds: Hiring the Right Plumber or Contractor to Fix Winter Storm Damage
“Plumbers are not going to be looking for work right now. The good contractors out there are going to be trying to schedule things because there's going to be plenty of work for everybody,” said Ben Gonzalez with the Texas Department of Insurance. “If somebody's coming to your door, I think that would be a red flag right now.”
Check Out the Person You’re Hiring
Plumbers are licensed in Texas and during this emergency, Governor Greg Abbot waived some fee and exam requirements for Texas plumbers with expired licenses. Out of state plumbers can also obtain provisional permits in order to help meet the demand for plumbers.
You can go to the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners website and use the public search tool to look up Texas plumbers and any past disciplinary action.
From this page, click on the “Responsible Master Plumber List” link to download a spreadsheet that you can use to search plumbers.
The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners says plumbers from outside Texas who are approved to work in this disaster will have an “OOS” after the company name to indicate they are from “out of state”.
The Texas State Board of Plumbing examiners says the list is updated every day.
There isn’t a state licensing board for contractors in Texas.
Monica Horton with the Better Business Bureau of North Central Texas says many complaints it sees involve a contractor that has taken off with a down payment for work.
“We advise consumers not to pay a dime until you're satisfied with the work. Some of the smaller contractors, if it's a large, large job, then they may require a small down payment and payments moving forward. But, don't let those get ahead of the work that's being completed. Don't pay in advance,” said Horton.
Keep in mind, there are special rules around up-front payments for out-of-area contractors during an emergency.
Examine References
“Contractors will say that they are doing a job around the corner or down the street. They may go into your neighborhood and do a fantastic job for one of your neighbors just so they can get that neighbor's recommendation because you're going to trust somebody like that,” said Horton.
You can use the BBB’s website as a search tool.
The TDI also suggests asking friends and neighbors for recommendations of people they’ve worked with during non-disaster times. Identify reputable plumbers or contractors and get on their wait list.
Contracts, Insurance and Other Questions
When hiring a contractor after a disaster, the Texas Office of the Attorney General offers additional recommendations including asking for proof of insurance. The contractor should have disability and workers' compensation insurance. Otherwise, you could be liable for accidents at your home.
Don’t sign over insurance or FEMA proceeds.
Don’t sign a contract with blank spaces and get any guarantees in writing.
The State Bar of Texas published this list of additional do’s and don’ts.
The State Bar of Texas operates a legal aid helpline to connect low-income Texans with legal assistance with various issues including fraud and scam concerns.
The Texas Department of Insurance also operates a helpline for insurance questions and fraud concerns.