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Do you own your own home? If your home has "central air" or a "home comfort system", you will need the services of a professional Pittsburgh HVAC Contractor. HVAC is an acronym that stands for "heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning". It is alternately referred to as "climate control". Heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning improve the quality of indoor air, provide temperature control, and control the flow of air throughout your home. Whenever there is an issue with your home's indoor air - whether it is too hot, too cold, or too stuffy, your Pittsburgh HVAC Contractor can help.
The way a Pittsburgh HVAC Contractor controls your home's air flow is quite simple. A series of air ducts are installed throughout the building, delivering a continuous supply of fresh air as long as the HVAC system is turned on. This air may be warmed (for example, by a furnace) or cooled (by an air conditioner or outdoor cooling unit), or it may be the air within your home being filtered and recycled to prevent rooms from getting stuffy. Your Pittsburgh HVAC Contractor will determine what size HVAC system you need, and install all of the necessary equipment.
While most people understand the meaning and purpose of home heating & cooling, the modern need for effective ventilation is grossly misunderstood. Have you ever considered the fact that everyone who enters your home is immediately exposed to all the smells, smoke, dust, moisture, and airborne bacteria inside your home? A professional Pittsburgh HVAC Contractor can install a system for removing 'polluted' air outside of your home, as well as helping to circulate the air within. Adequate ventilation can prevent disease, improve the quality of indoor air, and keep your house smelling fresh. A Pittsburgh HVAC Contractor can discuss the different types of mechanical and forced-air ventilating systems with you, and find one that exactly fits your needs.
Determining the size of the system your home needs is an important first step before you buy. There are several factors that are considered by an experienced Pittsburgh HVAC Contractor to reach a conclusion. These include the size and type of your home, walls, and windows, whether your home has insulation (and, if so, the type and density), the condition of your basement and attic, and whether your home is oriented towards or away from the sun. The Pittsburgh HVAC Contractor may also use a computerized system to calculate each room's heating and cooling needs, to further fine-tune their recommendations.
You may be thinking this sounds counter-intuitive. You might think a Pittsburgh HVAC Contractor should be motivated to sell you the largest, most expensive, most impressive HVAC system available. However, this would be counter-productive for your Pittsburgh HVAC Contractor. Systems that are too big for your home will not be effective in removing enough moisture from the air. This means the air intended to cool you off will leave you feeling sticky and humid instead. This could lead to potential mold problem or the generation of harmful bacteria inside your home!
A large system will also turn itself on and off several times. This is called "short-cycling", and it will cause your system to break down quicker, as well as placing a hefty increase on your heating and cooling bills. Similarly, a system that's too small will overwork itself in an attempt to heat or cool the entire space and suffer a break down quickly too. So, if the Pittsburgh HVAC Contractor did try to sell you "the biggest and the best", they would only be complicating your life and theirs with needless service calls. Since a professional Pittsburgh HVAC Contractor relies largely on word-of-mouth for their jobs, treating each customer right and getting them the best system possible is their goal.
You should contact a qualified Pittsburgh HVAC Contractor any time your heating, cooling, or ventilation system is not working as desired, but in particular, there are several times when you need service ASAP. During days of extreme temperatures, if your heat or cooling goes out, it could pose a health hazard. Rather than risk the health of your family, call your Pittsburgh HVAC Contractor and correct the problem at the source first.
If you have an outdoor heat pump, you should make a habit of checking on it during the winter months to ensure it isn't being negatively affected by the weather. Excessive ice or snow build-up can cause the pump to stop working or even freeze solid. Your Pittsburgh HVAC Contractor can keep it clean and functional, and come out to check on it whenever you need. Regular checks can prevent the need for major repair and complete replacements.
Your ventilation system can be serviced by the Pittsburgh HVAC Contractor who installed it. Over time, bacteria, dust, and fungus can collect in your home's ductwork, aggravating asthma and allergies, and potentially making others ill. When the ducts are used, dust from inside will be blown out into the home, which increases your workload when you clean house. Finally, regular duct cleanings by a knowledgeable Pittsburgh HVAC Contractor helps your entire home heating & cooling system run smoother, lowering your bills and extending the equipment's lifespan.
Get a reliable Pittsburgh HVAC Contractor to inspect your entire HVAC system two to four times a year. Tune ups in spring and fall prepare your system for the summers and winters and adjustments during the off seasons keep your system running in peak efficiency. When your HVAC system is healthy, your home is more comfortable and cleaner as a result. A system kept running in an efficient manner, with low strain, will keep your heating and cooling bills low. Your Pittsburgh HVAC Contractor will be happy to prepare your system to run at its best when you need it most.