How to Choose the Best HVAC Repair Service

This article will help to clarify what the various parts of a home Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system are and help you understand what work is being specified with an HVAC repair price list. Regarding the purposes of this example, we will look at the components of an all-electric split heat pump system most typical in home HVAC installation.

The heat pump itself is the outdoor part of the system. This consists mainly of the compressor, condenser coil, and fan. It also houses the reversing valve and electrical contractors. This is where your service tech will hook up his pressure gauges to see if there is the correct amount of refrigerant in your system. If refrigerant is needed, it is installed here through a interface. The bottle containing the freon will be weighed by a scale after and before filling your system to determine how much was used, and you would be charged by the pound. If there is a refrigerant leak in the coil it can usually be repaired, but all the refrigerant may have to be circulated out and reinstalled.

Occasionally the HVAC Services Scarborough fins on the condenser coil will be bent up due to hail damage or may be dirty. These can be combed out again or cleaned for little cost. When the fan or compressor do not run, or the reversing device does not change the system from heating to cooling, it is possible that only a contactor may need to be replaced. These contactors, fortunately, are low cost components. But if a lover motor or compressor needs to be replaced, it can be more expensive. The converter is the most expensive component and can be several hundred dollars to replace. If the condenser coil is badly damaged or the air compressor needs to get replaced, it might be time to consider a new heat pump, particularly if much more energy efficient options are available.

Indoors you have the air handler, which involves the evaporator coils, indoor fan, air purification system, humidifier, and a plenum for air vents. One of the most expensive repairs here can be for an under-slab plenum that has corroded out; this can sometimes require that part of the slab be destroyed and reconstructed. It is unusual that anything will go wrong with the evaporator coils, but sometimes they need to be cleaned, which is an inexpensive operation. If the interior fan motor needs to be replaced, it can be moderately costly. Typically the air filtration system and humidifier usually only require simple repairs, replacement of filters, floats, small motors, etc. There are also some control electronics such as the thermostat; these can range in price from inexpensive to moderately costly. If the heat pump motor outside needs to be replaced, it is also possible that you may want to replace the indoor air handler also if it will help provide you with the energy efficiency of a new system.

Hopefully this will help you to have a much better idea of what you are looking at next time you get a repair bill for your HVAC system. Don't be afraid to ask questions of your service technician, and if you don't feel comfortable with any aspect of the repair or if it's very expensive, make certain to acquire a second judgment before going forward.