6-06-2025 4:18am

IT'S NOT TOO LATE

7 Things Your HVAC Contractor Wishes You Knew Before the Summer Heat Sets In

As the weather heats up, so does your house. And while lazing outside in the sunlight makes for a delightful afternoon, lying around in the stifling heat caused by a broken HVAC system—or one that just isn't operating at full capacity—is anything but fun.

To the rescue: an HVAC contractor. These experts do more than just plug in a box that magically keeps your home at the right temperature. PIPCO has been serving local families over 50 years.

Whether you're fixing a system flaw or upgrading your unit to ensure perfect comfort, here are a few things HVAC contractors wish you knew.

1. Choose the best HVAC system for your home

Selecting the best HVAC setup for your space isn't as simple as ordering from a restaurant menu.

People get stuck on the idea that, 'It's a box, you plug it in, it goes. People don't realize that there are so many options when it comes to your home comfort system.

For instance, you'll want to think about zoning capabilities, which can help heat or cool persnickety rooms. (Like your no-window den, which always feels a hair too cold.) Or you might want to add an air purifier, a smart thermostat, or a high-efficiency furnace.

Before you invite a contractor over for a quote, consider what your current HVAC system offers. What's working for you? Which rooms are too cold—even during summer's doggiest of days? Which ones get boiling hot when you close the door?

In particular, PIPCO recommends taking an "honest, hard look at your power bills." If you're looking to lower your costs, focus on energy efficiency. But if you want a more powerful system, you need to be prepared for your bills to shoot higher.

2. 'Done right, any brand can purr like a kitten'

When you're shopping for a new HVAC system, there are probably a few brands that come to mind. But there's no gold standard here, PIPCO, so don't put too much weight on name value.

"Brands all one-up each other in one area or another," they say. "So much of it is tied to installation. You can take the 'worst' brand, give it a proper installation, and it will work beautifully. Done right, any brand can purr like a kitten."

3. When it comes to HVAC contractors, you get what you pay for

HVAC systems aren't known for being easy on the budget; a brand-new system could easily cost up to $13,000—or more. But resist the temptation to hunt high and low for the cheapest technician.

"This is not just plugging in the box—there is a craft." "The old adage will always ring true: You get what you pay for."

As with all contractors, get multiple quotes before committing to a company. Don't skip the online research, and talk extensively with your installer about the process and procedures. Good contractors will be happy to explain why they charge more for installation than their competitors—and comparing those answers might help you choose among similarly priced companies.

4. HVAC is an art—and a science

If you're hiring someone to install a brand-new system in a home without an existing HVAC system, it's important to look for both experience and expertise.

"It's a real design process," PIPCO says. "If someone says, 'Yeah, I can come in and slap something in,' that should be a huge red flag."

When putting together a system, installers will need to consider variables such as the duct system, the local building codes, and your electrical panel. Knowing how much load the existing panel can handle—and how much it will need to change—requires careful calculations. The best installers will carefully pick and design a system that keeps your house consistently at the right temperature.

5. A bad installation will cost you

If you understand your electric bill before upgrading your HVAC, you can quickly determine if something went wrong during installation. Yes, your power or gas usage might increase—but if it increases a lot, your new HVAC might have been installed incorrectly.

The issue is in the load calculations, or determining exactly how strong a system your home requires. For instance, an HVAC system designed to cool a 1,250-square-foot house will be working overtime trying to chill your 3,000-square-foot home.

Too big is bad, too.

"An oversized system will short-cycle and not allow the compressor to run properly." In this case, a system designed to cool a 3,000-square-foot home—but installed in a 1,250-square-foot home—will be constantly cutting off midcycle as the home cools too quickly. That's hard on the HVAC system and can decrease its life expectancy.

These issues are precisely why hiring an experienced and skilled contractor is so important.

"The system has to be designed for that house and how that system will be used."

6. Spring is the best time for an upgrade

Once hot weather hits, it's also officially hot season for HVAC contractors. Trying to upgrade your system during the summer slam might mean a long wait. PIPCO recommends assessing your system in early spring to make sure you're cool in July. It's still not too late.

Every year, take stock of your HVAC system once the flowers start blooming. Making necessary repairs as quickly as possible ensures you'll be comfy and cool all summer long.

7. HVAC contractors are smarter than you might think

"The misconception is that HVAC technicians are just that—technicians," PIPCO says. "These guys may be unusual characters, but the best are super smart, and I don't think they get enough respect from people."

Installers need to be certified to handle refrigerant, capable of calculating electrical load, savvy enough to design smart systems—and handy enough to install the system itself.

When your contractor shows up, make sure to give the pro due respect—and in return, you'll stay comfy and cozy all year round.

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