The Importance of Choosing a NATE-Certified HVAC Contractor

Choosing a contractor with North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification is an easy way to take the guesswork out of hiring an HVAC professional. The NATE program is an industry initiative designed to give consumers a reliable way to find HVAC contractors with elite training and skills. It is an optional designation that goes above and beyond regular technician licensing requirements, providing training and testing programs that raise the bar of excellence to an even higher level.

The NATE program was established in 1997, and it has grown to become the largest independent credentialing organization in the American HVAC industry. HVAC professionals can only earn NATE certification by completing rigorous, demanding examinations which test their knowledge of both core and advanced-level concepts in system design, maintenance, and repair. To maintain their certification, technicians must also complete 60 hours of continuing education in their chosen specialization and be reexamined every five years.

When you choose a NATE-certified contractor, you’ll benefit in several important ways. First, and most importantly, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing the job will be done right the first time. You will also enjoy improved performance from your home heating and cooling equipment, because NATE-certified contractors use cutting-edge techniques to ensure your system runs at peak efficiency. This is a two-part advantage: first, it extends the life of your HVAC equipment, helping you avoid costly repairs and delaying the need for system replacement. Second, it helps keep your home heating and cooling costs in check, as equipment optimized for efficiency uses less energy, and that translates into savings on burgeoning energy bills.

Additional NATE certification benefits include: 

• Improved safety. NATE-certified technicians apply their expertise to safely eliminate dangerous combustion byproducts like carbon monoxide from your home. They also ensure all necessary electrical connections are safe and secure. 
• Better indoor air quality. By leveraging their comprehensive knowledge of air balance, air infiltration and ductwork, NATE-certified professionals help keep your indoor air clean and healthy. 
• Boosted system performance. NATE-certified system installations provide even levels of heating and cooling throughout your home, and help your HVAC equipment perform at peak manufacturer specifications. 

We at Main Street Heating & Cooling are proud participants in the NATE program, and we’re proud to offer our elite expertise to valued customers throughout the Salt Lake City area. We’re here to meet all your home comfort needs, and we provide prompt, value-added service at highly competitive rates. Contact us this summer for cooling repairs, high-efficiency system replacements and routine maintenance plans!

Dos and Don’ts of Hiring an HVAC Contractor

For many homeowners, hiring an HVAC contractor is a process fraught with worry and second-guessing. Everyone’s heard horror stories of contractors who did shoddy work, charged exorbitant prices, or employed rude or unskilled technicians. The problem is that every contractor claims to be consumer-friendly, fair, and reputable. How are you to separate the good apples from the bad?

The answer: know what to do and what not to do when hiring an HVAC contractor.

The Dos of Hiring an HVAC Contractor

These approaches should be at the top of your “do” list:

• Ask questions. Find out how long the company has been in business, ask for their licensing and insurance information, and check to see if there are any complaints on file at your local Better Business Bureau office. One or two complaints aren’t much to worry about, but more than that—and you’re probably better off giving your business to someone else. 
• Gather referrals. Ask the contractor for multiple referrals from satisfied past customers. Follow up. Contact the referrals. Ask if they were pleased with the contractor’s work, and whether the company finished on time for the price they quoted. 

The Don’ts of Hiring and HVAC Contractor 

Next, make sure you “don’t” do these things:

• Make an upfront payment. Contractors that require upfront payments tend to be more interested in your money than they are in doing a good job. It’s also difficult to get your money back if you’re not satisfied with the work. 
• Choose a company that uses subcontractors. This is a red flag, as the contractor can later claim they are not responsible for the subcontractor’s work if you’re not happy—and you’ll have little recourse available. 
• Hire someone who won’t give references. There is no legitimate reason that a reputable HVAC contractor would not be able to give you a referral to a satisfied past customer. If the contractor hems and haws, or refuses to give references, don’t hire them. 

At Main Street Heating & Cooling, we provide timely service, friendly and knowledgeable staff, budget-friendly solutions, and the very best products. Our knowledgeable technicians are best-in-class, and we’re pleased to offer a 100-percent satisfaction guarantee with all our work. To schedule service, learn more about our team or inquire about a cooling tune-up before summer is in full gear, contact us. We proudly serve homeowners throughout Salt Lake County and the surrounding area.

Protect Your HVAC System Warranties with Regular Maintenance

One of the most common ways homeowners invalidate their HVAC system warranties is by performing their own equipment installations. Many furnace and air conditioner manufacturers require products to be professionally installed in order to honor their warranties. However, there are usually other stipulations in the fine print that many people are not aware of: warranty protections can also be invalidated if you fail to properly service and maintain your equipment.

Experts recommend getting your furnace and air conditioner tuned up in both the fall and spring. This ensures that equipment is in optimal operational condition prior to the full onset of heating and cooling seasons. During these tune-ups, licensed technicians clean, test and calibrate all the equipment’s working parts, and conduct tests to ensure your thermostat is working correctly.

The benefits of annual maintenance include:

• Superior efficiency. Regularly serviced HVAC equipment operates at peak efficiency, which translates into improved indoor comfort as well as reduced home heating and cooling costs. Your system won’t have to work as hard to achieve the desired level of heating or cooling, and that means lower household energy consumption rates.
• Fewer breakdowns. Not only will you protect your warranties by getting your furnace and air conditioner serviced regularly, but you will also prevent the need to make future service calls. Technicians can spot and correct growing problems before they necessitate a major repair—which saves you money in the long run.
• Extended equipment life. Having your equipment serviced year in and year out will help to extend its life and delay the need to invest in costly replacements. Well-maintained equipment regularly exceeds manufacturer specifications for life expectancy.
• Boosted safety. During the maintenance visit, the technician will also ensure your furnace is not generating excess amounts of carbon monoxide, and that harmful byproducts are safely being routed outdoors.

At Main Street Heating & Cooling, we are pleased to offer affordable annual Advantage Plans to our valued customers. These plans allow you to automatically schedule your seasonal system tune-ups at discounted rates, and provider priority scheduling to our preferred members so equipment is serviced in a timely manner. To learn more about our Advantage Plans, or to request more information about the benefits of maintenance and safety inspections, contact the Main Street team today!

Improving Indoor Air Quality for Health & Wellbeing

Today’s energy efficient homes are built tightly to conserve heating and cooling energy. While this has a positive impact upon utilities—and more directly, your wallet—it may not allow your home to properly “breathe.” Over time, decreased ventilation can become a major health concern: exacerbating problems like allergies, asthma and respiratory conditions.

DIY Tips for Clean Indoor Air

According to the EPA, indoor air can be up to seven times more polluted than outdoor air! Since a significant portion of our time is spent breathing the air in our homes, indoor air quality is very important. In addition to hiring a qualified IAQ contractor to professionally assess your home’s IAQ, there are many do-it-yourself ways to improve the air you breathe. They include:

• Vacuum and dust regularly. While it sounds too basic, this step is important for removing dust, pet dander and other particulates from your home. Remember to change your vacuum bag and filter regularly, too—or dirt may end up back in the air.  
• Take your shoes off when you come indoors. This is a simple, no-cost way to reduce the dirt and debris that is otherwise tracked into your house.   
• Making smart home improvement decisions. When remodeling or redecorating, use natural products that don't emit dangerous chemicals. Choose low- or no-VOC paints, non-toxic caulking and finishes, and natural fiber carpet and furniture.
• NEVER smoke indoors. 
• Place dust covers on mattresses and pillows to reduce dust mite population. Many people are allergic to dust mites, and dust mite protection is an economical way of providing allergy relief.  
• Use high-quality HEPA air filters for your HVAC system. Depending upon the type, these high-efficiency particulate air filters capture particulates and gaseous particles and remove them from the air. 
• Regularly maintain your HVAC system. In addition to improving the longevity of your equipment, regular cleaning and inspections prevent excess dirt and other particles from entering your indoor air supply. 

Partnering with industry-leading brands, Main Street technicians assess your indoor air and recommend IAQ products that are both affordable and efficient.

Main Street IAQ installation services include:

• Electronic air cleaners, which generate a magnetic charge to remove contaminant particles. 
• Air purifiers, which remove contaminants from the air and reduce the effect of second-hand smoke. 
• Ultraviolet lamps, which kill bacteria and mold that grows inside air conditioning equipment and along coils. 
• Whole-house humidifiers, which optimize and stabilize moisture levels and contribute to respiratory health.

To learn more about the importance of IAQ in your home, or to schedule your complimentary consultation with our Salt Lake City IAQ experts, call 801-930-5151 today—or email the Main Street team today!

Humidify for Winter Energy Savings

If falling Salt Lake Valley temperatures have you headed for the thermostat, keep in mind it costs an average of $144 to heat your home to 65 degrees—and $200 to maintain 72 degrees! Instead of tolerating an indoor chill to save money, consider installing a whole-house humidifier. Moist air retains heat better than dry air, making you more comfortable without turning up the furnace. Plus, a humidifier requires significantly less energy than a furnace or heat pump—so you’ll enjoy twofold energy savings. 

 

Here’s how it works.

A whole-house humidifier connects to your home’s heating and cooling system, and utilizes the system’s ductwork to circulate moist air throughout your home. High-quality humidifiers monitor humidity levels and are programmed to control moisture output. This is important, because excessive moisture may lead to mold and mildew growth.

 

The Proven Benefits

Aside from energy savings, humidifiers offer a number of other benefits for homeowners living in Utah’s dry, unforgiving climate. These include:

• Hydrated skin & hair. Forced air heating can lower humidity to 10 percent, leading to eczema, dry scalp, psoriasis, dry eyes and other bothersome conditions. To remain healthy, skin and hair require humidity levels of 30 to 40 percent. A whole house humidifier can be used year-round to establish these levels.
• Relief from asthma and allergies. Excessive drying of nasal membranes aggravates asthma, sinusitis and upper respiratory infections while making it more difficult to recover from colds. Appropriate moisture levels improve health and prevent drying of sinus passages.
• Preservation of wood furniture. Wood becomes parched in dry climates—and may crack or buckle. A Utah whole-house humidifier maintains optimal relative humidity, reducing cracking and other wood damage. (It’s important to note that too much humidity is not good for furniture, either. Your Main Street HVAC specialist can help you establish appropriate humidity levels.) 
• Reduced static. In addition to the annoyance of unwanted static electricity, too much static may damage electronic equipment. Proper humidification helps to mitigate this condition, which is common in the Salt Lake Valley.

Whole-house humidifiers are surprisingly affordable, and cost depends upon the size of your home and type of HVAC system. However, if a whole-house humidifier isn’t in the budget this year, you can still benefit from purchasing high-quality room humidifiers for bedrooms and living areas. Target, Walmart, big-box stores and other retailers carry these room-sized units, and many stores offer seasonal sales and coupons toward the purchase. Visit ConsumerReports.org for a humidifier buying guide.

To request an estimate for whole-house humidification, or to speak with a Main Street team member about the benefits of Utah humidifiers (including potential energy savings!), call 801-930-5151 or email info@mainstreetcomfort.com today. Our HVAC and humidification specialists provide industry-leading service, and look forward to solving your home comfort problems!

Now is the Time to Save Money on Furnace Replacement!

If you’ve been nursing your ailing furnace along, this season is a great time to purchase a new model. Due to the 2013 Furnace Efficiency Law, many manufacturers are offering equipment deals and system incentives that will save you money before the law goes into effect.

What is the 2013 Furnace Efficiency Law?

Passed by the Department of Energy (DOE), the new Furnace Efficiency Law will be instituted May of 2013, and elevates energy standards for HVAC appliances. Under this new law, Salt Lake City residents are required to have non-weatherized furnaces or mobile gas furnaces that are at least 90% efficient. (Previously, the standard was 80% efficiency).

Benefits of Replacing Your Furnace Before May 2013

Residents who install a new furnace before the new DOE law goes into effect are still permitted to purchase 80% Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) furnaces. When properly installed by a Utah HVAC professional, these 80% AFUE furnaces can last 20 years or more with regular maintenance. In addition, the units cost less than their 90% AFUE successors, making them a good investment for vacation home and rental property owners (or homeowners on a tight budget). And, when you choose an 80% AFUE furnace model, installation costs are less than they are with 90% models—which require additional venting and may also require replacement of your chimney lining and hot water heater.

Benefits of Higher Efficiency Furnaces

If you’re considering upgrading your home’s heating system to 90% AFUE or above (called “condensing furnaces"), you’ll enjoy a number of advantages, as well. These include:

• Reduced carbon footprint
• Lower monthly utility bills
• Extra heat exchanger that utilizes heat from exhaust gases, thereby saving energy
• Rebates and incentives from manufacturers, utility companies and the government

At Main Street Heating & Cooling, our qualified technicians will help you select the furnace that suits your comfort and budget needs. Our team members are familiar with 2013 DOE legislation, and can assist you with purchasing and installing a central heating system that will perform to your expectations and save you money for years to come.

For a custom consultation, contact us via phone or email today. We look forward to assisting you, and wish you a joyful holiday season!

Nest™ Learning Thermostat: The Next Generation in Temperature Control

If you thought your thermostat was little more than an ugly box on the wall, think again. Even if you have a programmable model, chances are you’re not enjoying the full, energy-efficient benefits of a properly used thermostat. Most of us turn the temperature up or down manually as we remember, rather than taking the time to figure out each unit’s programming complexities. As a result, we are often wasting energy rather than saving it!

Enter Nest: the World’s First “Learning Thermostat.”

Designed by iPod creator Tony Fadell, Nest is an affordable conversation piece that saves you money while delivering precision temperature control. This attractive, futuristic orb looks great on your wall, and can be managed online or via smartphone—so you can adjust the temperature from afar. Best of all, the Nest “learns” your climate habits, creating a personalized heating and cooling program based upon your usage and comfort patterns.

Benefits of the Nest thermostat include:

• Energy savings. When used correctly, a programmable thermostat can save you up to 20 percent on your heating & cooling bill. Nest makes it easy to save money, since there is no complicated programming process.  
• Auto-away setting. Nest detects when you’re away, automatically lowering the temperature so you’re not heating an empty home or business.
• Real-time digital control. Using secure account access, you can easily access your thermostat to adjust temperature from a laptop, PC or smartphone.   
• Eco-friendly. When you are saving energy with Nest, you’ll see the Nest Leaf™ appear on your thermostat display. In addition, you can access Nest’s energy history to see how much energy you’re really saving.

For your convenience, Main Street Heating & Cooling installs Nest Learning Thermostats for Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front. To schedule a Nest installation or speak with our team about using programmable thermostats to achieve energy savings, call 801-930-5151 or visit our contact page. To learn more about Nest technology, or view a video of the Nest Learning Thermostat, visit the Nest site today!