HVAC System Analysis List

Evaluation

• Contractors preparing to install a heating and air conditioning system in your home should conduct a room-by-room evaluation to determine the right size system for your needs. The analysis should include the overall size of your home, the type of windows, quality of insulation and ventilation needs. Some contractors may cut corners by making projections based only on the home’s overall square footage or on the size of a system being replaced.

Performance Data

• After a room-by-room analysis the contractor should recommend a proper unit for the home and share the manufacturer’s performance data with the customer. The data should clearly show that the unit is fully capable of providing the proper heating and cooling -- but not more than the customer needs. A system that is too powerful may cost more upfront and prove more costly to operate on a monthly basis. A key to a successful HVAC system analysis is determining the system you need at a proper price.

Ducts

• A contractor installing a new system without replacing or examining duct work may cost you money. Existing ducts may leak, causing wasted energy. Ducts that are too small for a new HVAC system may require more energy to operate or may cause early failure of the overall system, according to the Air Conditioning Contractors of America. A thorough analysis of ducts requires the contractor to properly test the system so that warm or cool air is entering the living quarters and not wasted in attics or crawl spaces.

Maintenance

• After installation, the customer can continue analyzing the system during proper preventative maintenance performed by a qualified technician. Recommended schedules include maintenance in the spring and fall if the system heats and cools the home. Maintenance is necessary once a year before the cooling season if the system only cools the home. Heating-only systems require maintenance once a year before the heating season. During maintenance the technician should confirm that the system is performing according to the manufacturer's specifications.