Before choosing a Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) contractor, there are a few things every homeowner should know. Hiring the lowest bid is tempting; HVAC equipment can be expensive to install and/or service. One company quotes $10,000 to install your new system while another quotes $15,000. Why such a difference? At first glance it may seem the higher price company is just that- higher priced. After all, you know you need a new system and both companies are quoting you a new system. But is that really the case? Is the lower priced company actually analyzing your system and committing to perform the proper work?

A system is defined as a group of interacting, interrelated elements forming a complex whole. Most HVAC customers don't realize heating and air conditioning requires a whole properly working system to work the way the engineers intended it to. Your HVAC system is not defined by any one piece. Like the system of a car; sure, you can get a HVAC unit to operate without all system components working correctly. But unlike the system of a car, poorly designed HVAC systems aren't easily recognizable to an untrained eye. When an old car drives down the road backfiring and exhausting smoke, it is obvious certain components in that car's system aren't operating correctly. But, when your HVAC system is losing 30% of its cool air into your attic through duct leaks; it isn't so obvious. When oxidized particles of copper flow through your Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (ACR) tubing and clog your system's expansion valves; it isn't so obvious. What HVAC customers need to know is this; the performance of any piece of HVAC equipment is only as good as its surrounding system components.

The problem with poorly designed HVAC systems is they will appear to work fine after the contracting technician finishes. Cool air flows through your home's vents, the new thermostat on your wall looks like a mini computer and everybody's happy. The shortcuts the technician took in order to finish the job at low bid aren't noticeable� yet. A year and later on a hot summer day, your new AC system can't keep the house below 80, it runs 24 hours a day and your power bill is higher than it's ever been. The problem is your system was not designed and installed properly. The ducts used to carry cool air into your home may be too small or have leaks, the ACR tubes that carry refrigerant between your indoor coil and condenser may be clogged, your system may have been under charged with refrigerant... There are numerous problems that can occur when an HVAC contractor simply swaps out parts and doesn't address the system as an interrelated group of elements.

When a system is installed correctly, HVAC customers get the performance that they pay for. The higher bid actually turns out to be the most cost effective bid. A system correctly installed will not require repair a year later, it will pump cool/warm air at maximum efficiency causing the house to be cool/warm quicker and the power bill to be lower. Unfortunately, there are HVAC contractors that cut corners in order to come in at the lowest bid. It is important HVAC customers investigate contractors and analyze bids to understand the integrity and knowledge level of the contractor they may be dealing with. Ask about certifications such as the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification. Ask about the company's history, how long they've been in business, who their customers are and any ongoing training they may participate in. Inquire about their availability during off hours. Do they offer emergency service? And finaly, while reviewing bids, make your best effort to choose the correct bid, not just the lowest bid.

A note about Park Mechanical:

Park Mechanical is a family owned and operated business. Serving the Sacramento region for over 95 years, Park has serviced 4 generations of customers. In 1911 Dougal H. McAlpine founded D.H. McAlpine Plumbing & Heating. In 1920 John Ryan founded, Park Sheet Metal Works, which eventually merged with McAlpine Plumbing & Heating in 1978 to form Park Mechanical. Today, Dougal (Duke) McAlpine, grandson to the company's founder, heads Park Mechanical as President, with two of his sons involved, Jeff McAlpine and John McAlpine. With an extensive knowledge through on-going training and a dedication to doing things right the first time, Park Mechanical endeavors to be Sacramento's premier choice for quality HVAC & Indoor Air Quality services.