Phoenix Air Conditioning

If you would like to jump straight to the resource I recommend for getting three estimates from Phoenix air conditioning prescreened companies, click here.  Otherwise, read on!

Like it or hate it, there is one unchanging constant in Phoenix AZ:  It is Hot!  Central air conditioning in Phoenix and area is not just a nice convenience, it is a necessity.

So what happens when your air conditioning stops working, gets old and needs replaced or you don’t even have air conditioning yet?  An immediate need for action!  Which means a need for an HVAC company in the Phoenix area.

But how do you find a good, reputable Phoenix air conditioning company that will fill your needs timely and effectively?

Well, good news!  Here are 9 tips you need to know to hire a Phoenix air conditioning installation company that will get the job done right.

An air conditioning installation or upgrade is an investment.  Be sure it is done right the first time by doing the following:

1. Get multiple bids from Phoenix contractors, at least three. More Info
2. Only use a company that is recommended to you by a friend you trust or that has been vetted by a referral service like QualitySmith. More Info
3. Check references thoroughly. More Info
4. Verify some basics:  How long have they been in business?  Are they licensed?  Do they have insurance including personal liability, worker’s comp and property damage insurance?
5. Will they be using any subcontractors? More Info
6. Don’t be afraid to ask questions until you feel you understand everything.
7. Make sure you have a written contract. More Info
8. If bids are thousands of dollars apart, find out why.  Does one use superior materials and labor?  You may end up going with the higher bid.
9. Trust your feelings.  If you don’t feel comfortable with a company, move on.

Get started today with three estimates from Phoenix air conditioning companies through Quality Smith.  I highly recommend them.  All companies they refer have been thoroughly prescreened. The service is totally free and it takes only about 20 seconds to tell about your needs and request the estimates.

Don’t rely on blind chance.  Be sure to use a recommended company.

Obviously the best course to find a reputable air conditioning company in the Phoenix area is to ask friends and family to recommend one.

However, what if they didn’t know one?

Do you just pick one from the phone book, calling companies with your fingers crossed?

You’d have to do your own research to find out if each contractor was licensed and insured. QualitySmith helps you absolutely free. Fill out a short form to tell them about your project and they will provide you with up to 4 companies that are vetted through their pre-screening processes. The companies will call you and set up the appointments directly.

Get three free estimates by clicking here.

The best time to buy a new central air conditioning unit is before it breaks down. This gives you the chance to shop around in comfort, rather than rushing to get the cool air back on. Lack of air conditioning in Phoenix is an emergency situation.

If your system already has broken down and the repair costs will exceed $500, the better investment is to replace rather than repair.

Older AC central air units have an efficiency of only 60%.  Newer units efficiency is over 90%.  So if your current AC unit is over ten years old, it may be time to start looking at your options.  Upgrading could save you 35% on your electric bill!  If you’re looking to lower your utility bills, now is the time to consult a HVAC company and discuss your options. It may be time to call a professional company to help you make a change if—

—your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are going up. Nothing lasts forever, and if you’re paying hundreds of dollars each year to maintain and repair your existing equipment, then it is time for a change. The cost savings will go beyond the repairs and may include decreased power costs.

—your air conditioner is more than 10 years old. Older air conditioners are often about 60% efficient, but newer equipment can be over 90% efficient. What does this mean? If you have a monthly power bill of $100, you could see your energy cost drop to as little as $65/month. Ask your contractor to explain the energy rating for each system.

—no one is home for long periods of the day and you don’t have a programmable thermostat. There is no sense cooling an empty house. Have a professional company install a programmable thermostat and instruct you on its use, to start saving energy and money while you’re away or even sleeping.

—some of your rooms are too hot or too cold. Improper equipment operation, duct problems, or inadequate insulation could be the cause. A good HVAC company can analyze your zoning needs and help solve the problem.

—your equipment has humidity problems. Poor equipment operation, inadequate equipment, and leaky ductwork can cause the air to be too humid, breeding disease and causing health and comfort problems in your home.

—your home has excessive dust. Leaky ducts can pull dust in from attics, crawlspaces, and basements and distribute them through the house. Having your ducts sealed may be a simple solution.

—your cooling system is noisy. Undersized duct systems or problems with the indoor coil of your air conditioning equipment can often cause your system to overwork, producing noise and inefficient power usage.

—someone in your home has severe allergies. Allergies are a part of life, but some air conditioning systems are more prone to growing molds and attracting dust. An inspection of your system will help you understand how to improve or replace your current system with one that is more healthful.

Whenever issues are not operating quite right with your air conditioning system, often everything that is required is just a little maintenance, but in other cases maintenance is not enough. For instance damage could be too substantial to be repaired and is at times positively hazardous. However even though things may not be going terribly wrong, you may still find several good reasons you can have for upgrading to a completely new system — saving in electricity.

The important thing is actually realizing when it’s beneficial to upgrade and when you will end up more well off keeping what you have. Prior to deciding to get in touch with an air conditioning contractor for a free estimate, here’s a checklist to help you stay on top of things and make the very best decision for your household. Make sure you take advantage of the 1,500 dollar federal tax credit on home cooling systems.

Checklist — Keep or upgrade your AC system

1. Your air conditioning system is in excess of 10 years old.

   It’s time for a modern, more efficient model. Your aged system is most likely working at roughly 60% efficiency. This occurs with age, no matter how well it’s cared for. You could expect at the least 90% efficiency from a brand new unit and also around 30 percent savings on your power expenses.

2. The heat exchanger, motor or electrical components have suffered significant damage.

   Normally this type of damage cannot be repaired, which means a whole new unit. From time to time this is a serious safety issue as in the case of hazardous chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) leaking. If you suspect any air coolant leakage, do not run the system until this has been checked. An air conditioning contractor would need to examine the system in order to give you a prognosis. The specialist can also check the thermostat along with other electrical components, and the air flow and ductwork.

3. You are trying to cool an entire house with window air conditioners and/or portables, however the temperatures are still increasing plus your electricity monthly bill is going through the roof.

   Window/wall or portable units are the sensible course with regard to cooling only one or two rooms, but for any more than that, a central air system is generally the more efficient and dependable route to cool, comfortable summer season living. The exception is a smaller home that’s in some measure cooled by shade trees or breeze.

   An alternate way of cooling your home is the mini-split system. Here you have a condenser which is located outside the home, exactly like with central air. However, instead of air conditioning your entire home, the mini-split system cools only the rooms you have decided on, and rather than duct work, conduit requiring only a small hole in the wall delivers the cool air, with each room or zone possessing its very own thermostat. This can be a great energy saver; however, these systems are more expensive, running at around $1,500-$2,000 per ton (12,000 Btu per hour) of cooling capacity — around 30% more compared to central systems (excluding ductwork). Ask for an estimate.

4. The noise from your window/wall or portable air conditioner keeps you from enjoying the level of quiet you’d like in your home.

   Due to the fact central air conditioning compressors are in the part of the system that sits outside the home, these systems help it become significantly quieter within the residence than window/wall or portable units. In fact, this is one of the key benefits of central air. Nonetheless, the outside unit might be noisy enough to bother those in the yard or in the room nearest its position, so be sure you tell your professional that noise is really a concern.

5. Your central cooling unit is just too small or large.

   As home improvement expert Bob Vila says, “A properly sized air-conditioning system is the most important factor for a comfortable home.”

   If the unit is too big, it’s going to cool the room too quickly. Isn’t this kind of a good thing? Not really because the compressor will kick off and on continuously and will not remove the humidity it should. This means a clammy feeling.

   Conversely, a unit that may be too small runs almost constantly, sucking up power but nevertheless not cooling the room very effectively. Whenever you exchange a system with a unit that’s the proper size for the job, humidity is going to be removed efficiently and the area will be cool and comfortable, not to mention your banking accounts and the environment will certainly benefit from the more efficient power usage.

   When talking to a central air conditioning contractor, enquire about models that satisfy the EnergyStar qualifications — these will save you the most in energy fees and assist you to make the smallest carbon footprint feasible.

Consider these central air add-ons

In addition, in case you have any of the following concerns, be sure to note them and ask the central air professional with regards to system add-on’s like UV lights and air filtration that help with these types of issues, totally alleviating some of them.

• Pollen, dust, or pet dander
• Mold or fungus
• Airborne bacteria or viruses
• Asthma and respiratory problems
• Stale air or odors
• Dry air or static electricity
• Electric power outages or irregular power

Upgrade and put $1,500 in your pocket

Last but not least, if you upgrade to a new central air system in the not too distant future, be sure you ask your tax expert in regards to the federal tax credit, which is equal to 30 percent of the installed expense, up to a maximum credit of $1,500. Depending on where you reside, there can be state tax credits additionally available to you. Request free estimates today for a qualifying , energy-efficient system.