Purchasing habits are changing all around the world. With the click of button we can purchase nearly anything and have it show up to our door the next day. The HVAC industry is changing as well, in an attempt to keep up with the times, but is this a good thing? A furnace, heat pump, air conditioner or water heater is an appliance just like a fridge or a TV, so why shouldn’t we buy them with the click of a button? Below we detail the important distinctions when it comes to HVAC purchasing. We also breakdown what you should expect from a knowledgeable HVAC designer and how a consultation should look!
Why buying HVAC is not plug and play
When you buy a fridge, you just plug it in. Buying a fridge online makes sense. When you buy a furnace, heat pump or any other HVAC system it comes in components that need to be custom built. We liken this to buying your car in 1000 pieces and the dealership assembling it for you! If you were buying your car in pieces like this, would you ask about the qualifications of the team that will be assembling it? If your family’s safety was dependent on skills of the car dealership, you would probably be more careful with your choice of dealer. The same goes for choosing your HVAC contractor!
There is a reason we employ technicians that are licensed and attended schooling, apprenticeships and training courses to install your equipment! At AirZone we take it further than most when it comes to the design consultation as well. We believe it is incredibly important that you understand your replacement options and make an educated decision on the comfort of your home. The only way this can happen is through a FREE in home consultation. We will only make recommendations once we understand your goals, your family’s needs and also your home’s infrastructure and needs!
What needs to be considered?
Our Home Comfort Advisors are trained to identify the infrastructure in your home to provide the very best recommendations for you and your family. We often deal with frustrated home owners who have either purchased equipment online or through a company that didn’t even visit their home. The most common issues this causes are:
- Oversized or undersized equipment (Comfort issues, health issues, premature equipment failures)
- Equipment that is not suited to the homes ductwork (Premature equipment failures, noise complaints, comfort issues)
- The wrong style of equipment that does not meet homeowner expectations (frustrated customers, comfort issues)
- Equipment installed in the wrong place (Safety concerns, eyesores, comfort issues)
- Equipment installed poorly due to lack of planning (Safety concerns, poor performance, premature failures, comfort issues, noise complaints)
- Equipment installed unsafely or illegally due to lack of knowledge/planning (Major safety issues)
- Premature equipment failure due to poor design
As a local, family owned company, we believe the mark that we leave on the community is crucially important. We aim to leave every home greener, with cleaner air and more comfortable than when we got there. The only way we can ensure we are leaving Ottawa safer and cleaner, is by doing our due diligence at every appointment.
What does a professional design consultation look like?
Each home we visit to is different, your home is unique and so are you. For these reasons we must take a forensic approach to each sales consultation to ensure that you receive the quality that you deserve! Our team completes the following steps to ensure you do not suffer the issues listed above.
- Get to know you! How can we help you solve your comfort issues if we don’t get to know you and your home? We will complete a quick survey to make sure our recommendations meet you comfort goals, indoor air quality ambitions and meet your budget.
- Evaluate your home/current HVAC system: This portion of the evaluation is absolutely crucial. We see countless homeowners who have been quoted on systems that are massively undersized or oversized. Simply looking at the current system and quoting the same size is WRONG. Upsizing because the old system didn’t keep up is WRONG. See below what is needed to make informed recommendations. -Load Calculation: Discussing insulation values, windows, square footage in order to make a sizing decision. -Ductwork Analysis: Measuring supply and return trunks, counting number of runs, calculating amount of air the system can handle. This is very important for function and dictates what options we can give. -Evaluating and documenting install parameters: Measuring items like venting, gas pipe, documenting drainage options, electrical capacity and many other items. -Illustrating how the install will go: The advisor should be able to show you where they plan on placing units, running materials, coring holes and any other items that will affect the installation. They should also be able to articulate the codes that will be enforced for clearances.
- Explain options: You should always be given options on replacement equipment. Not all equipment is made equal. Your advisor should discuss the differences between entry level and high end equipment and the benefits you will receive in your home. You should also be given recommendations on accessories that help the system work better.
- Discuss what to expect on installation day: Your advisor should explain what the installation process is, what payment methods are available and give you estimates on when and how long the install will take.
- Explain after care service: If your advisor does not discuss the service/maintenance their company can offer, that may be a red flag.
Conclusion
Not only is purchasing HVAC equipment a large investment but it is one that should last longer than a decade. Your comfort and family’s health is incredibly important to us and we refuse to cut any corners during installation, so why cut corners during the planning phase? Allow our team to give you the best information and care when it comes to your HVAC so that you can enjoy years of stress free home comfort! Don’t make the mistake so many other Ottawa homeowners have by purchasing from companies that don’t care to do things right.
