Furnace & Air Connection

Understanding Hvac

When you begin a remodeling project, it’s easy to get excited about new carpet, new tile, new furniture and the like. It’s not as easy, though, to get excited about a new HVAC system. It may not be glamorous or beautiful but the HVAC system is an integral part of the air quality and overall comfort of your home and should be included in your remodeling plans.

HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning. An improperly designed or installed HVAC system can lead to a home that is too cold, too hot or lacking fresh air. As part of a remodeling project, updating the HVAC system does cost extra money but it is well worth it to improve the overall quality of your home.

When you first begin planning your remodel, evaluate the current HVAC system. Does it heat and cool the home adequately? Is it energy efficient? Now factor in changes you plan to make, whether it’s adding more square footage, tearing down walls or revamping existing space. Will the existing system be able to handle the demands of the newly remodeled space? If not, it’s time to call in a professional.

HVAC

HVAC professionals are specially trained to ensure that your home HVAC system is up to code and working properly. He or she will check out your existing system and make recommendations as needed for updates and changes to accommodate your remodeled space. It is not unusual to find out that you need a higher capacity furnace or heat pump or that your ductwork needs to be updated and made airtight.

There is also a big element of safety involved in HVAC systems. For example, an energy efficient home that is not properly ventilated can build up dangerous levels of carbon monoxide and/or radon gas. As far as comfort is concerned, poor HVAC performance creates warm spots, cold spots, drafty spots and the like. This makes it far less comfortable in your home.

Remodeling is an excellent opportunity to make changes to your home, but make sure your budget allows for infrastructure improvements such as HVAC in addition to cosmetic improvements such as carpet and furniture.

This article was written by Gregg Hicks of ReliableRemodeler.com which provides Internet-based home improvement information and services. ReliableRemodeler.com offers homeowners a simple, quick, and free way to access, qualified home improvement remodeling contractors.

How To Hire A Hvac Contractor

HVAC means heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractors. These are people you hire to install your much needed heating and air conditioning systems in the home and buildings. They are certified professionals who possess the proper knowledge and skills in installing, repairing and cleaning all types and size of units whether small or large.

Before getting HVAC contractors, be sure you have the pertinent information such as the climate in your location, the amount of sunlight you get every day and areas in the home which may be hard to ventilate. The contractors normally ask for these information which they use in taking the necessary measures from installing air conditioning units, heaters, furnaces, ducts and ventilation. HVAC people do their work in all types of homes, whether extensions, new construction, remodels, kitchens, bathrooms, guest houses and garage apartments.

Some people do not have experience dealing with HVAC contractors especially those who buy a heating or cooling system already installed in the house they purchase. Sometimes, this makes it difficult for them to get the best deal.

This should not be a problem, though, as there are some ways to make the process of hiring the right ones easier. The most important steps to take are to ask for recommendations from friends who have had previous experience with contractors. Friends, relatives or colleagues in your office will surely have somebody to recommend for you.

Once you have a list of names, you may make a call to each one of them to find out how long they have been in the business and then check their references as well as their licenses. The references are vital as you can get additional information from them about the skills and experiences of the HVAC contractors. Verify their credentials, license, insurance and Business Bureau membership.

While talking to your prospective contractors, you can ask how they will determine the correct size of the new system and if you need to get a permit or they can get it for you.
After making the necessary interviews, it’s time to pick your choice. For additional information, you may want to ask for quality certifications such as Diamond Certification. Now that you have your preferred HVAC, your next step is to negotiate for the best deal.

It is crucial that you know what you need. Explain the type of heating, cooling or ventilation work required in your home and any problems you may have encountered in the past. The details are important to them as it will allow them to project the cost of the job.

Listen very well to the questions asked by your contractor and write them down if possible. Take note of the time he is willing to provide to you as this is proof of his proficiency.
List down your questions for your contractor, too. You can ask about the number of jobs they have done, their specialization, the length of time needed to complete the job for you, if they have a workers’ compensation and liability insurance, do they do the job themselves or do they hire subcontractors and if they will do all the work from removing the old materials to installing the new unit.

Finally, ask your HVAC contractor to provide you a signed written pricing, timing, quality and warranty agreement. And after the work is done, be sure to ask him some written handling instructions for the new installations.

Learn about the different types of home heating systems and find heat pump deals

Hvac Schools

If you are mechanically inclined and looking for a new career, perhaps HVAC School is something you should look into. HVAC Schools teach skills and technology for installation and repair of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) systems. Students learn to troubleshoot the electronic and mechanical components of HVAC units.

HVAC Schools offer numerous options to earn diplomas, certificates, and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees. Diploma and certificate programs can be completed in a year or 18 months; AAS degree programs can be completed in two years and involve more in-depth study of management and business applications.

Training will include commercial heating, refrigeration and air conditioning, wiring techniques, service call procedures, and troubleshooting training programs and courses. Graduates of HVAC Schools are prepared for positions working with heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning systems as entry-level technicians, mechanics, and service sales persons.

Some HVAC Schools offer two-year Associate of Applied Science degree programs in service management. Students in AAS service management degree program will concentrate on business operations - accounting, business law, salesmanship, and management - and aspects of customer service. AAS service management graduates are prepared for positions as repair technicians, apprentice mechanics, supervisors, and managers at the entry-level.

HVAC technicians may work in various types of businesses and manufacturing, for private contractors, or in institutional buildings. There is a steady demand for skilled HVAC technicians. Even though the work can be strenuous at times, the rewards can be worth it, with most technicians bringing home respectible salaries.

If you are interested in the field of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration, apply to a HVAC School or Online HVAC School today! You’ll find all sorts of educational options on our website.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved
Michael Bustamante, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc. for SchoolsGalore.com

Notice to Publishers: Please feel free to use this article in your Ezine or on your Website; however, ALL links must remain intact and active.

Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Visit our Traditional School Directory and find HVAC Schools, Colleges, Universities, Vocational Schools and Online Schools at SchoolsGalore.com, your educational resource to locate schools.

Your Personality Type May Influence The Area Of The Hvac Industry Best Suited For You

Every person has different combinations of skills which enables them to use their talents in different ways. What determines a personality type includes things like how they like to interact with people or how they process problems to find a solution to those problems. Whether you are extroverted or maybe a bit more reserved, there are job opportunities in HVAC for every personality type.

Some people just like to work with their hands. Training will prepare them on how to maintain HVAC units through all of the stages of an HVAC unit’s lifetime. Some people enjoy interacting with other people, so they might be more interested in the sales and marketing aspects of the HVAC industry. Each part of the industry allows people to do what they enjoy best, and come together to provide people with the basic necessities of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

Some of the areas working with HVAC systems:

Designing new models and features
Building the systems
Maintenance on HVAC units
Sales and marketing

Designing an HVAC system

Like for any other company or merchandise, there are people who draft ideas for new products and materials so that they can be used more efficiently and more cost effectively than older models. This is why there is a new model of the same standard cars every year. HVAC systems are continuously being redesigned and upgraded by designers who use computer-aided designs (CADs) and the knowledge they acquired during technical school to create new and revised blueprints for HVAC systems. These designers work with research and development teams to improve the equipment that is used in homes and businesses across the country. In addition to the design and research teams, there are also inspectors who review these proposed designs to make sure that they comply with the regulations required for safe and efficient machinery.

Building the HVAC system

After a design is drafted and tested, the systems and any products that are used in conjunction with them are built by engineers. While engineers are trained to maintain systems also, their interests and skill sets lie in the construction of the materials into a usable piece of machinery. Some people may not be as interested in building the units, but may just be more interested in maintaining them, which is a position more suited for technicians.

Maintaining the system

Technicians travel to businesses or homes to repair or perform routine maintenance on HVAC systems. Some technicians work specifically on pipe-fitting, which involves maintaining the industrial systems of piping that carry chemicals, steam, and gases out of the HVACR unit which enables the unit to heat or cool a space. Technicians tend to enjoy the variation of traveling to different places during a work day, but there is still little interaction with people. Those who especially enjoy meeting new people may be more suited for the sales and marketing aspect of the HVAC industry.

Selling the system

Some people may decide that they are not really interested in the hands on approach to working with HVAC systems, though they still see the value in the process and the industry. Some of these extroverted types join the sales and marketing team. They understand the highlights in the variety of systems and are able to market them to potential buyers, such as homeowners and business managers. Some people may like that idea, but want to have more control over how the HVAC business is run. Some become contractors or business owners, so they can handle their own marketing techniques and carry on business to their specifications.

Whether you enjoy completing a task or selling a product to a buyer, the HVAC industry has a wide variety of specialties and areas for you to get involved in after vocational school. With the skills you acquire during your time in school, you can go anywhere or do many different jobs in the HVAC industry.

The Refrigeration School, Inc, offers classes in Phoenix, Arizona, and prepares students for a career in a variety of jobs available in the HVAC industry. Whether you are outgoing and would enjoy sales or you are on the quiet side and prefer to maintain an HVAC unit, The Refrigeration School, Inc. can equip you with the foundational training needed for a successful HVAC career with any personality type.

Hvac Degrees: Heating And Cooling

The demand for heating, venting, and air conditioning professionals, commonly known as HVAC, has never declined. Well-trained HVAC professionals and graduates are skilled with the essential knowledge of system components, tools, brazing and soldering, and more. This includes the installation and troubleshooting of valves, compressors, water chillers, thermostats, heat pumps, connection switches and controls. Effective HVAC specialists are also trained to adjust refrigerant levels as well as work safely with gas, oil, and electric heat.

Among the various trades, the fastest growing branch is HVAC. It is expected to increase by 31.8% through 2012. This includes job opportunities that include working for and as building contractors, residential maintenance and service companies, plumbing supply and hardware shops, and, of course, self-employment.

Because of the sophistication of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems, employers choose to hire those who have completed technical school training or a formal apprenticeship. Some mechanics and installers, however, still learn the trade informally on the job. A number of high schools, colleges and junior colleges, and even Armed Forces branches offer programs that train prospective HVAC students. This training includes the study of temperature control, equipment construction, and electronics, as well as the basics of installation, maintenance, and repair.

There are three certified agencies that set HVAC academic standards: HVAC Excellence, National Center for Construction Education and Research, and Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Accreditation. Upon completion of the academic part of the training, students typically spend another two and a half years in the field.

Apprenticeships are still very popular and practical means to gain valuable HVAC certification and training. Apprenticeship programs are often managed by local chapters of the ACCA (Air-Conditioning Contractors of America), the MCAA (Mechanical Contractors Association of America), and the PHCC (Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors). Formal apprenticeships typically span three to five years and involve on-the-job training along with classroom instruction. The subjects of study include the use and care of tools and blueprints, and the theories at work with regards to heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration.

Students and potential apprenticeships must have a high school diploma or GED. And it should be noted that aptitudes in math and reading comprehension are crucial for successful HVAC careers. Once an apprenticeship is adequately completed, the apprentice graduates to "skilled tradesman" status and is legally certified to work alone to start his or her own company. It should be noted that some apprenticeships can qualify a student for some college credits.

Steve Collins is a writer based in California. He obtained his degree at Ashworth College. Read his reviews of the courses available at Ashworth College here.