Key Questions To Ask Your HVAC Contractor (NAPSA)—In manycases, get- ting your heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to operate at its peak starts with asking your contractor the right questions. The right questions mayalso help you save money. For example: How can I make my system operate moreefficiently? What other, more efficient systemsare available? How can I lower my monthly heating andcoolingbills? Is there any basic routine maintenance I can do to help the system’s functionality? What benefits would I get from an ENERGY STAR system? Some say the key question is whetheror not the contractor uses certified technicians for the job. For example, North American Technician Excellence (NATE)- certified technicians are skilled professionals who have proven their knowledge in the HVACR industry by passing specialized certification tests. Plus, they will not only be knowledgeable about high-efficiency systems but will be able to help lower homeownerutility bills by ensuring proper installation and maintenance. In selecting a contractor, you should also ask about the range of services the contractor provides (scheduled maintenance, repairs, 24-hourservice). Ask for a preliminary inspection prior to having the contractor make any recommendations and always ask for and check references. In addition to the energy savings resulting from an efficient In addition to increased comfort, a high-efficiency HVAC system may also be able to help a homeownercututility costs. system, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act now provides homeowners with additional expanded tax incentives on energy-efficient HVAC systems. A NATE-certified technician should be able to tell you if your system qualifies for the incentives. To help, a Web site called HVAC RAdvice.com provides a number of useful documents and information pages, including: An Energy Savings Calculator A Heating/Cooling Checklist Maintenance Tips * Information on how to make your home moreenergy efficient * Details on carbon monoxide safety and detection * Definitions of efficiency rat- ings (AFUE, SEER and HSPF). The site also features a contractor locator where homeowners can type in their ZIP code to find companies that employ NATE-certified technicians. To learn more, visit the Web site at HVACRAdvice.com.
