Sunbury, Ohio’s Best Heating and Cooling Companies

According to this study, the average American home has an HVAC system that is more than ten years old. Carrier estimates that with proper maintenance and care, you can expect a good 15 to 20 years of cooling from a new, high-efficiency air-conditioning system.

With a poor installation (more on that later), and intermittent maintenance, major parts of an HVAC system might be good for only those ten years.

Before choosing an HVAC service provider, ensure you’ve conducted the proper research. HVAC services can be expensive, so it’s best to work with a company that is not only qualified, but values you as a customer, too.

There are many HVAC installation companies that serve Sunbury, OH. It’s not uncommon that homeowners don’t know how to choose the right one for their needs. Although we believe here at Fire & Ice we’re the best choice for many Central Ohio homeowners, we also invite healthy competition to continually prove ourselves and the service we provide to our customers.

With that said, here are some respected HVAC companies that service the Sunbury area.

Complete Air Systems Heating and Cooling

Complete Air Systems Heating and Cooling provides HVAC solutions for air conditioners, gas and oil furnaces, heat pumps, air purifiers, and humidifiers.

Their coverage areas include Sunbury, Galena, Westerville, and New Albany.

Wise Heating and Cooling

Wise Heating and Cooling provides whole-house automation, ductless heating and cooling, mini-split installation, and air-quality inspection

They perform installation, maintenance, and repair of air-conditioning, furnace, and heat pump systems.

Red Flags to Look for When Selecting an HVAC Contractor

Do you want to narrow down the list of heating and cooling contractors, which is in the hundreds? Here are a few things to watch for.

●        Analog vs. Digital Gauges

●        Manual J Load Calculation

●        Equipment Commissioning

●        Third-Party Contractors

●        NATE Certification

●        EPA Certification

●        Hourly Pay vs. Piece Rate

Analog vs. Digital Gauges

HVAC contractors who use digital testing gauges will get more accurate readings than those with traditional analog gauges. Every precise measurement counts when it comes to the comfort of your home and your utility bills. It can also affect the system’s need for repairs and its lifespan. A unit designed to last 15 years may last only ten or fewer.

Even a tiny discrepancy between your system’s levels and its ideal levels can affect these items.

Manual J Load Calculation

A routine practice in the industry is to look at the old equipment that’s to be replaced, read the size of it, and recommend that the new product match that size. But what if the existing HVAC wasn’t properly sized originally? Then you wind up with a new system that is also improperly sized.

And if your home has been updated with new windows or higher R-value insulation? Then you don’t need as big a size. And don’t forget that your existing four-ton AC is far less efficient than a new, higher-efficiency model.

The way to get an accurate measurement is through a Manual J load calculation. Many permit offices need an ACCA Manual J report in order to meet code requirements and to prove the equipment is properly sized.

It takes about 10-15 minutes to do, so it’s not a huge time commitment. If your salesperson doesn’t perform one, it’s a sign that they are cutting corners, and you will be the worse off for it. If they don’t take a few minutes to do this step, it’s a sure sign they don’t have your best interest in mind.

An incorrectly-sized unit causes a host of problems: efficiency, poor indoor air quality, an increase in the likelihood of repairs, and a shorter lifespan.

Equipment Commissioning

The Department of Energy defines commissioning as “the process of thoroughly verifying and proving that building systems are installed and operating according to the criteria in the original design and engineering documentation.”

In other words, HVAC equipment needs to be thoroughly checked when it comes out of the box. It can be set up in a hurry, and it might still run ok. But commissioning takes an extra hour or more and is often skipped in the interest of time.

The units need to match the manufacturer’s specified requirements. If not, it won’t perform as it was designed to do. The loser is you - the homeowner. You’ll never realize the optimal comfort and energy costs.

Third-Party Contractors

Some less-than-ideal companies keep costs down through a legal-but-shady tactic: They don’t hire full-time contractors. They hire third-party techs. That way, they don’t have to pay for training, uniforms, company vehicles, or even insurance.

What homeowners get is a worker without any company markings, who may or may not have passed a drug test, and with a technical background that may or may not be suitable to work on your system.

A company that cares about its reputation pays for uniforms and trucks. You’ll probably get an email ahead of time plus a phone call confirming the arrival time. It’s professional, and it should be standard procedure for an occasion where you’re opening your home to a stranger.

You get the peace of mind of knowing that the right person is in your home for the job.

NATE Certification

NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence, which is a nonprofit organization that trains and certifies HVAC technicians. Certified technicians have demonstrated an up-to-date knowledge of heating and cooling systems, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

NATE requires technicians to complete 16 continuing education hours every 2 years in order to recertify.

Techs don’t have to have this to install your new furnace, but it’s a good measuring stick. It’s a sign that they’ve had tested, real-world experience instead of learning on the job. Institutional knowledge does make a difference.

Hiring a contractor who is not certified in current HVAC standards, or having a neighbor or someone you know who is “good at HVAC” is dangerous.

Read more: Certification Programs: What are they, and why are they essential for your HVAC contractor

EPA Certification

EPA regulations require that technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants into the atmosphere must be certified.

This doesn’t affect the homeowner as the NATE certification does, but it is a best practice for anyone working with refrigerants. If an air conditioner is being replaced, and the refrigerant in the old unit is R-410A, it has to be replaced by R-454B.

Improperly venting refrigerant into the atmosphere is illegal under the Clean Air Act. Certified HVAC technicians are required to recover refrigerant using EPA-approved equipment before servicing or disposing of an air conditioning system. Companies or individuals who intentionally vent refrigerant can face substantial civil penalties, with EPA enforcement actions resulting in fines of tens of thousands of dollars for violations. Proper refrigerant recovery protects both the environment and ensures compliance with federal regulations.

How Do You Check Potential Technicians For Proper Heating and Air Conditioning Certifications?

While vetting companies and technicians, be sure to ask the following:

Their state HVAC license. License requirements vary by state, but all require the Section 608 certification from the EPA, which allows the handling of refrigerants. If they do not have this, do not let them perform services in your home.

Any additional certifications and the license number. If they have any additional certifications, you can ask what those are and ask for the number. For example, if they have a NATE certification, you can look it up online on the NATE ID lookup page.

Hourly Pay vs. Piece Rate Employees

We talked about commissioning before, but it’s worth mentioning again. The reason an HVAC tech might skip it, leaving you with equipment that isn’t set up according to specifications, is that they’re in a hurry to get to the next job.

Why? Because if they can do multiple jobs in a day, they get paid more. Therefore, it’s in their best interest to rush. You, the homeowner, get subpar results.

Compare that to someone who is paid by the hour, someone who takes their time to do the job right.

Use Fire & Ice’s HVAC Contractor’s Checklist

All in all, selecting a trusted HVAC contractor is more important than the brand of HVAC product you choose.

Please click on the image below to download our “HVAC Contractor Checklist.” This checklist will help you keep track of the questions you should ask potential HVAC contractors before you hire them.

Sunbury, OH: Fire & Ice Customer Reviews

We love hearing nice things about our work. Even better, we love knowing that this means we’re living up to our promise as a company that earns the trust of our customers.

“I've been a Fire & Ice customer for over 6 years and year in and year out they have provided timely, courteous, and professional HVAC service. By purchasing their preventive maintenance program,  I've been able to take a proactive approach to maintaining my heating and cooling systems, and with that service in place, I've not had a day's trouble. I highly recommend Fire & Ice” - Richard Leonardo

“The new ac install was done most professionally. Care was taken to surgically replace what was necessary without disturbing the rest of my system and house. When the job was finished, the install work looked good, the house wasn’t left dirty, and I wasn’t left with any worry about why I should have any other problem.” - Matthew Blackburn

Finding the Right HVAC Contractor in Sunbury, Ohio

Even if you’ve been through the process of replacing an air conditioner or furnace, the process can be nerve-wracking. Spending thousands of dollars can be like that, but it doesn’t have to be.

We hope this article has given you some guidance. If you are more knowledgeable about the process, you’ll be able to ask better questions when you’re sitting down with a sales professional.

And if you’d like to consider Fire & Ice as part of your buying experience, we’d love to talk to you to see if we could be a good fit.

Here are a couple more articles that we recommend reading before making a purchase:

HVAC Financing: A Complete Buyer’s Guide

The Complete Guide to Home Furnaces

Live in Columbus or its immediate surroundings? Talk with a specialist today!