What is the most important thing to consider when purchasing home comfort equipment?Shop for the contractor first, and then the equipment. Even the best piece of equipment can be next to useless if not installed correctly. A new furnace or air conditioner is not like a new washer or microwave oven. You can’t just take it out of the box and plug it in. Your new equipment must work with any other home comfort equipment already in place, as well as with the other systems in your home, such as the electrical system, ductwork, radiators, ventilators, and even the plumbing. Any problems with one or more of these systems could drastically affect the installation and operation of your equipment. For example, if you buy a new air conditioner, your current furnace must be able to handle the air conditioner’s airflow requirements or there will be trouble. A good HVAC contractor will know what factors to consider and how to harmonize new equipment with your home’s particular systems.

How do I choose a contractor?If you already have a good working relationship with a contractor who regularly maintains your furnace or air conditioner, then it’s best to go to this person for your new equipment. This contractor will already by familiar with your existing equipment and your home’s unique indoor environment.

If you don’t already have a relationship with a contractor, here’s what to do:

Talk to your friends and neighbours If you need to repair or replace a piece of equipment, chances are some of your neighbours have already been through the same experience. Ask them which contractors they used and whether they had any problems. If there was a problem, how did the contractor handle it? How a contractor approaches a customer’s concerns is a good indication of their attention to service.

Look for a community presence If none of your neighbours can recommend someone, take a look around your community. When you’re in the market for a new furnace or air conditioner, you’ll quickly become aware of trucks and advertising that you never noticed before. If you see that a particular company sponsors your little league teams or other community events, then that company may be a little more customer-friendly than some others.

What about brand names? When you shop for new home comfort equipment you may be told that Brand A is better than Brand B. In some cases, one brand will offer benefits that another brand does not. However, generally speaking, most furnaces and air conditioners today are well made and the differences between brands are usually cosmetic. The brand can make a difference if you have a problem with the equipment and your contractor can’t fix it. In this situation, manufacturer support is very helpful. Most major manufacturers will have technical people – troubleshooters – who are available to the contractor to diagnose and fix those problems that are out of the ordinary.