HVAC, both heating and air conditioning is something that many homes need. Whatever the need is that you have, it is extremely important that you find a professional that can take on the job that you have. This is not a specialty that just anyone can take on, only those that know what they’re doing should tackle the job that it brings. With the use of the professional, everyone can have cool air, hot air and the comfort that they want and need within their home or office building.

Contractors Today has many different contractors available for work within your area, find the HVAC contractors that you’re in need of, and perhaps a few others!

Got a problem with your A/C unit? Thinking about upgrading to a brand-new air conditioner? Need help cleaning and checking your furnace before the winter? A qualified HVAC contractor in your area is just what you need.

From troubleshooting to repairs and new unit installation, HVAC contractors are familiar with all of the common problems that face both old and new A/C units, as well as things like furnaces and heating systems, ductwork, and much more. If you need an HVAC contractor near you, feel free to check out Contractors Today and find a professional near your location – or learn more below.

HVAC Contractors Licensing & Certification Requirements

The exact requirements for becoming a licensed and certified HVAC contractor vary state-by-state. However, in most states, a contractor must at least graduate from high school or obtain a GED.

Next, most contractors will take a 6-month, 12-month, or 2-year accredited HVAC program to begin their training. These classes may be offered at a trade school or community college. Alternatively, it may be possible to complete an HVAC apprenticeship, which usually consists of between 3-5 years of on-the-job training, and includes both empirical training and technical education.

Then, most HVAC contractors choose to become certified by one of the many organizations offering HVAC certifications, such as ESCO Group, RSES, or NATE. To qualify for these certifications, the contractor must have a certain level of education and on-the-job experience.

Finally, though there is no federal requirement for HVAC contractors to be licensed, most states do have individual requirements for HVAC licensing. The contractor must usually take an exam and prove their knowledge to become licensed, and renew their license regularly.

We recommend only choosing HVAC contractors who are fully licensed and certified in your area. If your state does not require an HVAC license, make sure that you do your research on any HVAC contractor you’re thinking of hiring – make sure they are certified and have a history of success in their past projects.

Common Air Conditioner Problems & Required Repairs

Wondering what issues may require you to turn to an HVAC contractor and get an inspection or repairs? Here are a few of the most common problems that you may experience with your air conditioning unit.

• Air conditioner will not run – If your A/C will not run, despite being set properly and turned on, there could be a few different issues. It’s possible that your circuit breaker has been tripped, or that there is an issue with the power going to your unit. It’s also possible that your unit may have broken down completely or become damaged, and will no longer function properly. Usually, an HVAC contractor will be able to determine the cause of the problem, and let you know if it’s repairable, or if you should replace your A/C unit.

• Warm air/no air coming from vents – This can be caused by issues like leaves or debris obstructing airflow from your air conditioner. If this is not the case, it’s possible that there is an issue with your ductwork, such as a blocked vent or a very dirty air filter, or your ductwork may have come loose.

  It’s also possible that you may have a refrigerant leak, which has caused your refrigerant level to drop, resulting in warm air coming from the vents. A refrigerant leak should be repaired right away, as refrigerant is toxic and is a pollutant when vented into the air.

• Water is leaking around your air conditioner – If you notice a lot of water leaking in or around your unit, it’s the condensation line may be clogged. This can often be caused by the buildup of mold or mildew within the line. An HVAC technician can examine the line and remove the clog, and look for any other potential issues with your unit.

• Air conditioner is freezing up – This is usually caused by poor airflow through your A/C unit. Warm airflow is required to flow over your air conditioner to keep the refrigerant from freezing. If there is not enough airflow, condensed water can freeze on the unit, impairing proper function. This can also be caused by a faulty thermostat. If the thermostat never cycles off, the A/C will run 24/7 until the condenser falls below freezing.

• Air conditioner is running constantly or cycles on and off – If your air conditioner never seems to turn off, but your home is still at a normal temperature, this could indicate that the unit is too small for your home. It needs to run 24/7 to maintain the temperature at which you’ve set your thermostat, which puts excess stress on its mechanical parts and shorten its lifespan.

  On the other hand, an air conditioner that constantly cycles on and off very often (known as “short cycling”) may indicate that your unit is too large for your home. Just like running 24/7, frequent turning on and off can shorten the lifespan of your A/C unit.

Is It Time To Replace Your Air Conditioner? Understanding The Top Signs

Sometimes, it may be a better option to have an HVAC contractor replace your A/C unit instead of simply repairing it. Here are some of the top

• Your unit breaks down often – If you’re calling an A/C contractor to fix your unit every couple months, it may be a better idea to simply replace it, instead of paying to fix multiple issues. A faulty, unreliable A/C unit can be very inconvenient, and some malfunctions – like a broken thermostat – can really drive up your power bill.

• Your A/C unit is more than 10-15 years old – If you have an air conditioner that’s more than 10-15 years old, your best bet is probably to replace it next time it has a major mechanical issue. Older units are much less efficient than newer units, so you can save quite a bit of money on your power bill by upgrading. In addition, A/C replacement parts can be expensive if the model you’re using has been discontinued or is very old.

• You want a more efficient unit – Compared to older A/C units, today’s units are much more efficient and can save you a lot of money on your power consumption. Before 1992, the required SEER (efficiency rating) for a new A/C unit was 8. In 1992, this jumped to 10 SEER. And today, 13 SEER A/C units are the norm – and ratings of up to 20 SEER are not uncommon!

• Your home just isn’t comfortable enough – If you feel like your air conditioner is just not doing its job properly and cannot keep your home comfortable – even when it’s working properly – it may be time to upgrade to a larger, more efficient unit.

Find An HVAC Contractor For A/C Repairs & Replacement With Contractors Today!

At Contractors Today, we make it easy for you to get the HVAC services you need. From A/C and furnace inspections to repairs, A/C replacement and more, we can help you find a qualified contractor in your area. Just fill out a quick form on our website, and we’ll take care of the rest. Get started now.

HVAC Contractors Information

• What does an HVAC Contractor Do?
• Understanding furnace energy efficiency
• Choosing the Best HVAC Contractor
• Five Advantages of Regular HVAC Maintenance
• Five Ways to Reduce Home Allergens
• Does Your Furnace Need Replaced?
• Tips to Keep Your Furnace Running All Winter Long
• 10 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Winter
• What You Should Know About Carbon Monoxide
• What Size Heat Pump Does My Home Need?