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My Trusted Contractor
950 E. Main Street
Louisville, KY 40206
502–540–0316
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It’s the middle of January and your furnace just died. While the family is huddled around the fireplace, you quickly Google “HVAC contractor”, call the first one in the list, and hope that it works out. We’ve all been there, and most of us are happy to hire the first repairman that is available in case of emergency, but that’s not always the best choice. If you need to make a major or costly upgrade to your home’s furnace, air conditioning or air ducts, it’s time to choose an HVAC contractor who you can count on.

Ventilation has become a technology of its own. With more advanced heating and cooling systems than ever before, you need the right  contractor to install, repair, and maintain it. With offers and deals from every handyman around the corner, it can be difficult and overwhelming to choose the right one.

My Trusted Contractor has taken the guesswork out of it and given you everything you need to know about how to choose and hire an contractor that will work for you and get the job done right.

Hiring Your HVAC Contractor

Research: With so many different options, finding the right contractor for the job can quickly become overwhelming. Start by doing research in your area to see what, and who, is available. Chances are, you’ll find some big companies, a few mom and pops, and maybe a contractor who owns his own business.  

Ask Questions: Once you have a list of possible HVAC contractors to consider, give them a call and ask a few key questions that can tell you a lot about their company, themselves, and raise any red flags.

1.    License, bond, and insurance. Start by ensuring the company and the technician are both licensed by the state and carry the appropriate insurance. Most states mandate the education, exams, and job experience required to be licensed as an HVAC contractor. Any professional that works in your home should carry liability insurance to protect you and your home in case of damage or injury.
2.    References. This one is important, and unfortunately, often skipped over. Any local HVAC contractor should have a list of recent customers you can contact to verify their performance, work, and customer service. Asking for a list of references is the first part, while actually calling them is the second. This can give you valuable insight you may not find with online reviews.
3.    Brands. Ask a potential contractor what brand of equipment they carry, and what brands they service. This gives you the opportunity to research those brands, and also find a contractor that uses brands you may prefer or already be familiar with.
4.    Estimates. If you are looking for a new installation or replacement, the cost is likely going to be a pretty important factor. Any time you’re going to sink a significant investment into your home, it’s worth it to get at least three estimates.
5.    Tax credits. Ask about any incentives, credits, rebates, or tax benefits available. This tells you two important things. Even if you choose not to take advantage of these possibilities, it shows how educated the contractor is about current incentives.
6.    Payment options. You definitely don’t want any surprises when it comes to paying the bill. Ask about whether they accept a payment plan, how much is expected up front, and what types of payment options they take.
7.    The contract. Ask for a sample of their service contract. A sample allows you to read it thoroughly without the pressure of signing anything.
8.    Pay attention. While asking these questions and talking with the company or contractor themselves, pay attention and read between the lines. Don’t only listen to what they’re telling you, but how they are providing information. How do they react to your questions? Are they patient and willing to explain things thoroughly? This can give you valuable insight into their customer service side.  

Finding a company and technician you can trust means you can enjoy peace of mind knowing you don’t have to do it yourself, which can often result in further damage and more expenses down the road. You can partner with us and let us help pair you with the right contractor for the job. Simply let us find a contractor for you today.

Why is Hiring a Heating & Cooling Expert Important?

Chances are you may have a family member or friend who is convinced they can fix it themselves, but that doesn’t necessarily make them a qualified choice. A quality heating and air conditioning technician and/or company establishes a relationship with you and brings system expertise to offer pinpoint solutions to your problems. They have the resources available to deal with any current issues as well as predict and prevent future issues. Often, even the best DIY attempts can result in more damage and more money spent.

Your HVAC system is one of the most complex systems in your home or business; hiring an HVAC contractor that is well trained to replace, install, and deal with different problems is essential. You probably wouldn’t attempt to replace your own roof or install a new electrical line. Finding a heating contractor is equally essential and plays a crucial role in your home’s comfort, air quality, and safety. Connect with a contractor today to ensure your system is running its best. 

The post How to Hire an HVAC Contractor was originally seen on: www.mytrustedcontractor.com

My Trusted Contractor
950 E. Main Street
Louisville, KY 40206
502–540–0316
https://www.mytrustedcontractor.com/map/
https://www.mytrustedcontractor.com/info/

How much do you know about your home? I’m not talking about your address or where things are in the kitchen, I’m talking about what really goes on inside your home. Chances are, we assume everything is working fine. Until it’s not.  

What is an Energy Audit?

A home energy audit is one of the best ways to truly see how your home is functioning and what you can do to make it better. Energy audits assess how much energy your home or business consumes and helps to evaluate what measures you can take to make your home/business more energy efficient.

In a recent article in the Washington Post, Ely Jacobsohn, who manages the Home Performance with Energy Star program at the U.S. Department of Energy said, “Audits are important for homeowners because they provide solutions based on proven building science. They find the root cause of problems, rather than just treating symptoms.”

By finding the root cause of problems, you can make a big difference in how efficient your home is. What if you opened your next power bill and it had dropped by more than 50%?

Understanding what is sucking up energy and then learning how to fix it can make a huge difference in your monthly bills. Energy efficiency upgrades identified by a home energy audit can save you between 5 and 30 percent on monthly energy bills. This can potentially save significant amounts of money for your family over time.

How Does a Home Energy Audit Work?

A home energy audit is a two-part process that can be done by any professional energy auditor. Sometimes, an HVAC contractor can also perform an audit, but often times it is a professional auditor through the local energy department who performs the service. If your HVAC contractor cannot perform the audit, they can recommend you to someone who can. You can also find a professional auditor through the Building Performance Institute, the Residential Energy Services Network or on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star website.

Part 1: Assessment

The first part of a home energy audit is the assessment. This is where the auditor will begin by analyzing your energy bills and completing a visual, health, and safety inspection. Sometimes they may use special equipment to detect sources of energy loss. This may include things like an infrared camera, combustion analyzer, blower door, manometer, draft gauge, and moisture meter. Often, their expertise and experience can notice and detect problems right away. Because they know what to look for, they may see problems that are often overlooked or go undetected.

Part 2: Analysis

The second part of the audit is done by specialized computer software that analyzes the specific data gathered by the auditor. After the audit is complete, and the data is processed, a report is generated that provides results, recommendations, and lists possible other issues if any were found. This analysis is the most valuable part of an energy audit. It provides a comprehensive report that shows which energy efficient upgrades are best for your home/business and your wallet.

Part 3: Your Score

Choose an auditor who provides a home energy score at the end of the audit. This score rates the efficiency of your house based on its age, size, and heating, cooling and water systems. The score ranges from one to 10, with 10 indicating lowest energy use. It estimates how much energy your house will use in a year given the size of your family and the weather in the area. This gives you a clear measurement of where your home is and what you can do to improve.

Still have questions about how it works? No problem. Get connected with a local contractor and speak to a professional today.

Home Energy Audits and Your HVAC System

Home energy audits examine every component within the HVAC system. It helps determine what parts of your system are working overtime, and which parts could use an update. An HVAC energy audit is the best way to determine how much energy your system uses. It also pinpoints where and when the energy consumption directly stems from.  Where and when is the energy the heaviest and the lightest? What areas and equipment cause the most energy loss? What are the ages, types, and conditions of the system components? And most importantly, does the system pose a health risk to you or your family?

Periodic audits should be a part of any preventative maintenance program. While it’s probably unnecessary to conduct an audit every year, it can be especially helpful every few years. In many states, you might even be eligible for rebates or low-cost energy efficient solutions and renovations.

Energy Audits and Your Future

A home energy audit can also be essential if you’re moving into a new home, building a new home, or if you live in an older home before efficient systems were common. A big, old historical home can be a beautiful investment, but it can also be a drafty energy sucker.

Once your audit is complete, you can learn how you use energy, where it’s being wasted, and what measures to take to prioritize your consumption, your equipment, and your budget.  Furthermore, if you choose to make energy audits part of your annual maintenance plan, you can compare year to year reports, all while adjusting to keep your home/business as comfortable as possible, all year long.  For more information about setting up an energy audit, let us find a contractor for you today.

The post Home Energy Audits: What You Need to Know appeared first on Mytrustedcontractor.com

My Trusted Contractor
950 E. Main Street
Louisville, KY 40206
502–540–0316
https://www.mytrustedcontractor.com/map/
https://www.mytrustedcontractor.com/info/

Sometimes you’ve just got to play the hand you’re dealt, especially when it comes to your home. You can cover the walls you want to tear down, you can dress the windows you wish didn’t exist, and decorate with all the hottest trends, but flooring is a bit more complicated. Or is it? Clear your weekend plans, move all your furniture to the other room, and get ready to make a change for the better. There are tons of options out there, but these 9 trendy floor projects will give you the option to customize as you see fit.

1. DIY Patterned Linoleum Floor: That back porch doubling as a mud room is b-e-g-g-i-n-g for a flooring overhaul. This clean and fresh pattern will totally distract from the paw prints and shoes. (via A Beautiful Mess)

2. Layered Rugs: Living with wall to wall carpet, be it in your home or rental, may feel totally limiting. Not to worry, you can actually layer rugs on top of the carpet to help define a space. Even better, though, you can layer rugs on top of rugs. (via The Fox & She)

3. The Home Depot Home Decorators Collection Warm Cherry Vinyl Plank Flooring ($60): You know how on TV shows they put vinyl flooring down in a few hours? It really is that easy as long as the floor beneath is level. There are tons of great tutorials online, but most of the time it’s as easy as snapping planks into place.

4. Renter-Friendly Stairway Runner: This is the weekend you conquer your ugly staircase. Grab some runners, a staple gun, and double-sided carpet tape for a renter-friendly upgrade that will totally change your space. (via PMQ for two)

5. DIY Stencilled Tile: To paint a stencil over your tile, you just have to follow a few simple steps. Pick a bold color and a graphic print to make the biggest impact, or keep it simple with a checkerboard pattern. (via Classy Clutter)

Read More: 9 Flooring Updates You Can Do in a Weekend