HVAC Professionals Hiring Guide

Tackling tough home improvement projects can bring satisfaction and save a little money in the process. After the successful completion of a difficult job, it feels good to look over the handiwork with pride and fulfillment. However, working hard to complete a difficult task, only to see it fall apart—whether literally or figuratively—is disappointing and extremely frustrating.

There are some DIY maintenance projects that homeowners can complete on residential air conditioner systems:

• Replacing air filters regularly.
• Cleaning the dust, pollen, and grass clippings from the outdoor condenser unit.
• Programming the thermostat for comfort and energy efficiency.

However, making repairs or replacing the air conditioning/HVAC system is not a do-it-yourself project; taking on this task can damage the existing infrastructure and cost a homeowner significantly. Homeowners should look to a local HVAC professional for repairs and replacement. HVAC professionals will bring:

HVAC Professionals Necessary Training and Expertise

• HVAC professionals are licensed by the state, protecting both homeowners and technicians.
• HVAC professionals will carry liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
• HVAC professionals receive a combination of classroom and on-the-job training.
• HVAC professionals understand the value of properly sizing new systems with the proper load calculation.
• HVAC professionals will be certified to handle refrigerants that can be harmful to the environment.
• HVAC professionals are often trained by manufacturers on specific brand equipment.

The repair/replacement task a homeowner might be taking on for the first time has been completed many times by a professional. Troubles that pop up from time to time will not surprise a professional technician. Training and experience will allow a professional to avoid common mistakes.

Necessary Tools and Equipment for HVAC Professionals

Air conditioners are complex building systems with electrical, mechanical, and gas/chemical components. To properly repair and replace these systems requires specialized equipment and the training necessary to use them.

• Some wiring in an air conditioning system carries 14v and some carry 220v; knowing/testing the difference is essential. The danger of touching the wrong wire is serious, so technicians carry the proper testing tools to keep them safe.
• Air conditioners use refrigerants, commonly called Freon, that are sometimes gas and sometimes liquid, depending on the pressure of the compound. This refrigerant must be kept in a strict range of pressures to perform the cooling function. Measuring the pressure of the refrigerant requires specialized equipment and training to read the gauges.
• Many repairs and certainly replacements require that this refrigerant be removed from the system and stored properly. Freon is known to harm the environment; releasing the gas improperly can lead to a costly fine. Recovery equipment is essential to these tasks.
• Many do-it-yourself workers are very good at taking things apart. Putting things back together properly is the most difficult part of the task.

Getting It Right the First Time

• The training and tools of a technician can properly diagnose and suggest repairs while the do-it-yourselfer is chasing symptoms. Often, the symptom manifests well downstream of the real problem.
• Replacing an air conditioning system without training can be costly. Purchasing a new system without knowledge of the industry can be extremely costly. Purchasing old stock with obsolete refrigerants can result in a system that cannot be repaired because the refrigerant is no longer available. Judging the appropriate size and SEER rating is a difficult decision to make without the proper experience.

Hiring the Right HVAC Professionals

Houston Trane can connect you with a Trane Licensed HVAC Professionals who can help you design an HVAC system that will fit your home and your family’s needs. To find local Trane HVAC Professionals, visit our Local Dealer search tool.