HVAC: What It Means and Who to Hire

HVAC: It’s what we do!

You’ve probably seen the acronym HVAC used in content or context related to the air conditioning business. It stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning and is often used as an all-encompassing acronym to describe what we do. Your HVAC system basically provides comfortable and air quality to your home or office.

Let’s break down in simple terms what that HVAC acronym means:

Heating

Your HVAC systems heating component is what gives your home warmth throughout the colder months of the year. Heat is created at a central source and distributed through your home or office. And in Florida, it’s a rare treat for those who enjoy colder weather to actually experience temperaturesthat merit the use of the heater. Colder weather in Greater Tampa Bay means we’re less busy here at Super Heat & Air. But we’re still called upon more often than you’d expect to help customers who experience issues with their heating systems. So don’t forget the word “Heat” in Super Heat & Air and call us at (813) 355-0288 if you have problems with your heating system!

Ventilation

As we already mentioned, your HVAC system provides indoor air quality as well as comfort. The ventilation part of HVAC has to do with the circulation and purification of air, as well as controlling moisture levels, removing unpleasant odors and preventing stagnation of the air. Air filters, register vents and ductwork all contribute to the Ventilation side of HVAC. And proper ventilation is key to addressing any breathing or allergy issues you and your family may be experiencing in your home.

Air Conditioning

As if you didn’t already know, your Air Conditioning system keeps you cool. But what you might not already know is how many different kinds of air conditioning systems there are. From central air to split systems to heat pumps to ductless, portable and window AC units, there’s a lot to choose from! And they all have their pros and cons. But for the purpose of this blog post they’re all worth mentioning.

Your Air Conditioning system circulates refrigerant that changes from gas to liquid as it collects and expels heat from your home. We’ll spare you the technical explanation of how an air conditioning system works. But just know that you have many options to consider when it comes to properly cooling your home. And as air conditioning systems become more and more energy efficient, it’s always best to consult with a professional before choosing the right one for your cooling needs.

Licensed and Insured

So whether you hire Super Heat & Air or another company (seriously, why would you hire anybody else?), it’s important to know who you’re dealing with. And more importantly, who you invite into your home to make it more comfortable. Make sure any HVAC contractor you hire is licensed by the state and insured. Our license number is CAC-1818204. Request a copy of an HVAC contractor’s license too for added security (we’ll be happy to provide you with ours). If a contractor does not or cannot provide a license number that you can reference, don’t hire them!

Also, be aware of “too-good-to-be-true” pricing. We’ll admit it, Super Heat & Air is not known for being a cheap option. That’s because we don’t offer anything but the best possible service for each and every customer we help. And we don’t cut corners or bait-and-switch! What we do is offer affordable financing options on our sales, installation and repair services. And we offer some great specials to save you money!

Estimates and Pricing

A quality HVAC contractor will ask questions about the issues you’re experiencing and suggest scheduling an inspection to evaluate the problems and the scope of the work before even attempting to provide an estimate. We might give you a ballpark estimate over the phone after asking you the right questions first. But we’ll never give a written estimate until a thorough inspection has taken place.

So if an HVAC contractor gives you a flat-out estimate without asking any questions or even checking on your problems, be wary of whom you’re dealing with. It could be a bait-and-switch. Keep in mind that before an accurate estimate can be provided for a service, a good HVAC contractor will take into account possible expenses for unforeseen circumstances and factor them into the written estimate before performing any work. In other words, low ball initial estimates are tempting, but they often don’t account for unexpected issues. Make sure we or any other HVAC contractor give you a solid written estimate that would factor in unforeseen circumstances before signing off to help prevent “sticker shock”.

So now that you know a little more about HVAC and what to look out for when hiring a contractor, call us for all of your HVAC needs!