​What is an HVAC Contractor & When Should I call One?

The acronym HVAC  is an abbreviation for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning refers to the cooling and heating systems used in homes and commercial properties to keep residents comfortable. The task of an HVAC system is to circulate filtered cool or warm air through a structure. Virtually every home in Southwest Louisiana has an HVAC system installed.

An HVAC contractor is a person, or company, tasked with repairing, maintaining, and installing Air Conditioning, Heating and Ventilation systems. ​

When do I need to call an HVAC contractor?

HVAC owners typically call air conditioning contractors in Lake Charles La when their AC, heat pump or furnace fails to provide the level of comfort they desire. Additionally, HVAC professionals are called on to perform bi-annual HVAC maintenance services to extend the life of the AC. When the need arises, HVAC contractors are who you call to purchase and install a new HVAC unit or for emergency repair service. ​

What Can You Expect When You Hire an HVAC Contractor?

If you don’t have a relationship with a local HVAC contractor, your search for AC repair contractors in Lake Charles will reveal that the field of HVAC repair has distinct segments of expertise. Not all contractors share the same experience, focus, or skillsets. 

HVAC research will reveal that most HVAC contractors are trained in three areas: heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. However, many contractors elect to narrow their professional focus to one or two of these categories and may further specialize in either residential or commercial HVAC.

Services Offered by HVAC Contractors in Lake Charles La.

Routine maintenance – is generally the starting segment for new HVAC technicians; furnace/heat pump and air conditioning repair require additional experience and training to accurately diagnose repair issues, while HVAC installation requires the highest level of expertise and skill.

In addition to the service segments listed above, HVAC contractors consult with home and business owners on energy efficiency and ways to reduce their utility costs. The advice can range from properly sealing drafty windows and doors to adding insulation around the air ducts.

Many HVAC contractors offer air quality control consultations. With an array of devices on the market that can improve indoor air quality, a consultation with a knowledgeable technician can save time and money on items like whole-home dehumidifiers, disinfecting light systems, electronic air cleaners, duct cleaning, and repair or replacement of your thermostats.  

Some HVAC systems require specialized repair equipment. For example, water-based heating and boilers systems require specific training and skillset from forced-air systems. Additionally, solar heating is another niche system that requires a specialist.​

What Tasks Do HVAC Technicians Perform?

MAINNTENANCE – A new homeowner may be surprised to learn that their HVAC System requires regular maintenance. During a maintenance call, the technician will check tubes and pipes for leaks, refill refrigerants to proper levels, test thermostats, test circuits, inspect motors and fans, clean the outdoor unit, change air filters, and look for impediments to optimal efficiency.

REPAIRS – When your HVAC system is maintained regularly, it allows your technician to identify impending repairs, helping to avoid emergency service. HVAC Repair Service generally requires repairing or installing fatigued parts of your AC system. Repair service is the bulk of a contractors work during summer and winter months.  

INSTALLATION – When an HVAC system has reached the end of its useful life, a contractor is tasked with replacing it with a new unit. Replacement requires careful inspection of the existing system to ensure the replacement unit is the correct size and capacity for the home, followed by carefully replacement the existing unit, with minimal impact to the comfort of the occupants. Installation can include installing or replacing ductwork, pipes, wiring, tubing, and electrical supply lines and testing the unit after installation.  

The work of an HVAC contractor can be complex and varies substantially from one home to another as there are nearly as many HVAC manufacturers are there are automobile manufacturers. Installation of a new system can be as simple as replacing the old system with a similar capacity system, or it could require updated electrical and ductwork (depending on the age of the home or structure).

When Should I Call an Experienced HVAC Contractor?

If your home cooling and heating system is failing to provide the comfort you are accustomed to, it’s time to call an HVAC professional. In addition, you should consider calling if you experience: 

• Unexplained Increase in Utility Bills (Gas and Electricity)
• Inconsistent Temperatures Throughout Your Home or Business
• Your System Never Stops Running
• Unfamiliar Sounds or Smells

Consider scheduling a maintenance appointment and allow an experienced HVAC contractor in Lake Charles La to perform routine service. During the service call, your technician will alert you to an impending repair need. The sooner you schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment, the better. During summer months, most HVAC contractors stay booked with emergency service calls.

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