2230-B Curry Ford Road - Orlando, FL 32806 - USA Phone: 407-859-1494 Email: contact@munsonairconditioning.com
Contents WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR EQUIPMENT 2 FINDING A GOOD CONTRACTOR 3 Top Questions to Ask a Company Before Hiring 3 Additional Tips 4 5 CRUCIAL THINGS TO DISCUSS BEFORE BUYING YOUR NEW SYSTEM 5 1. Your Home s Size 5 2. Your Current Ductwork 5 3. Load Calculation 5 4. System Enhancements 6 5. Your Payment Options 6 EQUIPMENT BASICS 7 Gas Heating Systems 7 Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) 7 Combustion Air 7 Heat Exchanger 7 Venting Types 7 Gas Valves 8 Blowers 8 Humidification 8 Air Conditioners 9 Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) 9 Single Vs. Double Stage Compressors 9 Refrigerant 9 De-humidification Mode 9
5 COMMON (AND COSTLY) MISTAKES HOMEOWNERS MAKE WHEN INSTALLING AN HVAC SYSTEM 10 THE INSTALLATION PROCESS 12 What to Expect 12 PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE: WHY IT CAN SAVE YOU THOUSANDS 14 BENEFITS OF A SERVICE PACKAGE 15 COMMERCIAL AIR CONDITIONING 16 Commercial Ductless Systems 16 Indoor Air Quality Inspection and Improvement 16 Commercial Refrigeration and Fridge and Freezer Maintenance 17 Rooftop Heating and AC Systems 17 WHY YOU SHOULD WORK WITH US 18
HVAC Systems A Quick Intro Hi, I m Gary Munson, founder and owner of Munson Air Conditioning. For over 30 years I ve helped people, like you, choose and install the perfect Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning units (HVAC). It can be a stressful time. That s why I created this guide: to help you decide when to replace your HVAC unit, what to look out for and what to expect during the entire installation process. If you have any questions, don t hesitate to contact me. Sincerely,
2 When to Replace Your Equipment Should you repair your HVAC system? Or replace it? It can be a tough call. But looking at your power bill should help you make an informed decision. According to the Department of Energy, the cost to operate heating and air conditioning units has increased 42 percent over the last few years. Older units are less effective and cost more money to operate. Newer models have been manufactured to reduce energy consumption, last longer (resulting in reduced repairs and maintenance) and reduce the temperature variance indoors. Plus, many heating and air conditioning units come with a long-term warranty, so you re fully protected for up to ten years should anything go wrong. In general, it s time to replace your equipment if It s not operating properly It s over 12 years old. You re constantly making repairs It s taking more time and costing you more money to cool or heat your home than it used to. You re not comfortable in a room, even with the unit turned on. If you ve decided to replace your equipment, you ll need to hire a professional to help install it.
3 Finding a Good Contractor It s important to research a good contractor before hiring. A good contractor can ensure the successful installation of your air conditioning or heating unit, which means the unit will operate properly and for many years to come. However, hiring a new or under-trained contractor can result in poor installation, causing you more money and headaches down the road. Researching contractors and knowing the right questions to ask will help you find the best contractor for your needs. One of the best ways to narrow your search for the perfect contractor is to Ask your neighbors, friends and family for referrals. Take note if they ve had a good or bad experience and why. Ask for company information and the specific name of the contractor. Narrow the list of prospects to two or three located within your area. Call the Better Business Bureau to confirm company information. Once you have a list of two or three prospects, it s time to ask them some important questions before making your decision. Top Questions to Ask a Company Before Hiring 1. When was the company founded? 2. Are you in good standing with the Better Business Bureau? 3. What awards have you received? 4. What are your hours? Are technicians available 24 hours for emergencies? 5. Do you have liability insurance and workers comp insurance? If so, how much? 6. Do you handle permit processing? 7. Do you have up-to-date state and local licenses? 8. How many employees do you have and how many are certified technicians?
4 9. Is there a customer service policy that employees are required to sign? 10. Do you perform background checks on your employees? 11. Do you test employees on technical expertise? 12. Do you have a training program with a full time trainer for technicians? 13. Do you have any service or satisfaction guarantees? 14. What are your company policies? What happens if the technician shows up late? 15. What will the technicians wear or use to protect my home and property (shoe covers or drop cloths)? 16. Do you take a customer survey? What are the results of satisfaction? Additional Tips In addition to asking the critical questions above, there are a few more tips you can follow to ensure you find the best contractor for your needs. Take your time with making a decision. Only accept written estimates or quotes. Don t pay up front or make cash payments. Be cautious on offers that seem too good to be true. Once you ve found a contractor you can trust, it s time to choose the right heat and air conditioning unit for you. Where can I find customer testimonials? Can you provide references for the work to be done? By taking 15 minutes to ask these important questions, you ll gain a better understanding of the company you ll be working with, their expertise and dedication to service.
5 5 Crucial Things to Discuss Before Buying Your New System Before recommending a specific heat or air conditioning unit, I always sit down with clients and discuss the following five items. Since no two homes are the same, discussing your unique situation helps me understand your needs better and install the perfect unit for you. 1. Your Home s Size The size and layout of your home are important considerations. Vents and windows in certain areas can make one room too hot and another too cool. That s why I thoroughly measure my clients homes (and pay close attention to vents and windows). It helps me pick the right air conditioning unit to solve these problems before they even occur. 2. Your Current Ductwork Your ducts are like your home s lungs. They breathe air throughout your house so it s very, very important to ensure they re the proper size and working correctly. 3. Load Calculation Before purchasing a new heat or air condition system, you should ask your contractor to calculate your home s load usage. Load calculations use a complex formula to determine if the recommended unit will effectively cool your home. Without doing a load calculation beforehand, you may end up purchasing a unit that either fails to keep your home comfortable or wastes energy. I always conduct a load calculation to make sure my clients don t wind up overpaying for a unit which under-delivers.
6 4. System Enhancements As I mentioned before, every home is unique. During your installation, I ll recommend specific system enhancements to make sure you get the most out of your new heat or air conditioner. 5. Your Payment Options I understand installing a new unit can be a major investment. That s why before installing anything we sit down and talk about your options. Some people like to pay a lump sum upon completion (I never, ever ask for money upfront) while others prefer to pay in installments. If you re interested in financing, give me a call and we discuss this option in greater detail. As you can probably guess, I spend a lot of time speaking with clients beforehand. But I ve included a list of basic terms and equipment to help give you a general understanding of the installation process.
7 Equipment Basics There are several different air conditioners and heating units on the market. This can make purchasing the right unit challenging if you don t know the basics. Before purchasing new equipment, it s a good idea to have a general understanding of terminology and how the units work. Armed with this knowledge, you can then make an educated decision on which unit will best meet your needs (which could save you significant time and money in the future). First, let s look at heaters. Gas Heating Systems Each heating system has an efficiency rating being either 80% or 90-95%. 80% efficiency ratings means the gases require a chimney stack to vent as they are extremely hot. 90-95% efficiency ratings means the gases only require an exhaust vent (similar to a dryer machine vent) as they are cooler. Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency is a percentage rating that indicates the amount of energy your furnace converts to heat. If a home has an AFUE of 85, this means 85% of the energy is used to heat the home, while 15% is wasted as combustion gas. Combustion Air This is the air used by your heating system to burn gas. Heat Exchanger A heat exchanger is a device for transferring heat from one medium to another, and in most cases, it transfers burned fossil fuel to nearby air. Venting Types All gas heating systems need to properly vent combustible gases away from the home either through a direct vent or an existing chimney.
8 Gas Valves The gas valve is what allows the heat to flow into and out of the unit. Single Stage Gas Valves only have one setting which is on or off. Air flows at 100% when turned on. Two-Stage Gas Valves have two settings which is a low or high stage of air flow or turned off completely. Optimal equipment operates for 60 to 70% of the time in the low state to maintain a constant temperature and reduce energy consumption. Humidification There s a problem with heaters: during winter months: hot air can dry your home (and you) out. The solution: use a humidifier to add moisture to your home. Not only does this make your home more comfortable, it also protects your furniture and reduces static electricity levels. Pro tip: combine a humidifier to your variable speed blower to control the level of humidity in your home. Now let s a look at air conditioners. Blowers Standard Blowers deliver a specific amount of air flow, which is controlled by a tap setting. Variable-Speed Blowers deliver varied amount of air flow controlled by high-efficiency settings which include humidification, de-humidification, filtration and air flow balance.
9 Air Conditioners Air conditioners have common characteristics. deemed environmentally unfriendly and will be replaced by Puron (which is safer). If you re asking someone to install your air conditioner, make sure they re using Puron otherwise you ll be breaking the law! Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) SEER rates how efficient an air conditioner is. Higher ratings equate to lower energy bills. De-humidification Mode Some air conditioners have a dehumidification mode which lets them maintain a specific humidity level indoors. Single Vs. Double Stage Compressors You know when your thermostat turns on? That s the single stage compressor. Once your home s temperature gets too warm, it kicks on. Single stage means it s either on or off there is no other setting available. Double stage compressors, on the other hand, operate at two levels: low and high. Efficient units run on low roughly 80% of time, which helps reduce energy costs. Refrigerant This is what cools your home. Freon used to be the refrigerant of choice, but it s been
10 5 Common (And Costly) Mistakes Homeowners Make When Installing An HVAC System Purchasing a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (also known as an HVAC) is stressful and overseeing the installation process can be even more daunting. Homeowners often struggle with installation (even though they re not actually installing the unit!). But you know what? It s not their fault. In fact, most problems arise from misinformation. Homeowners are told the wrong specifications, get pressured into buying something they don t need or (most commonly) just rush through the process without checking the finer details. Let s take a look at the most common mistakes people make Mistake #1. Hiring Unqualified Contractors It s a sad fact that in these tough economic times many contractors will do anything to get a job. Even if they don t know how to do it! When searching for a contractor, confirm they: Carry full, up-to-date insurance Are in good standing with the Better Business Bureau Can provide testimonials from satisfied customers Reputable companies hire and train employees themselves. That s why after over 30 years in the business I ensure all my employees are licensed, certified technicians. This way you can rest easy knowing you re in good hands. Mistake #2. Buying the Wrong Equipment Purchasing the wrong sized equipment is quite common. Here s a startling true story about what can (and does) go wrong:
11 An elderly woman needed a new air conditioner installed. The contractor came out and put in the wrong unit. Shortly after her roof caved in and flooded her entire house. Worst part? Turns out the AC wasn t put in to code, and the contractor disappeared. They put the unit in so cheap they wouldn t even return to do free warranty work! That s why I always honor the one year warranty on labor. Unfortunately, many contractors do not do this, even though it s required by law! Mistake #3. Buying the Cheapest Option You know the saying you get what you pay for? Well, it s true especially with air conditioner installations. Here s a startling fact: most contractors install the same air conditioning model. That s right the exact same model. And since state law regulates how these units should be installed, what you re really paying for is the quality of the installation itself. So if a contractor quotes you a much lower price than elsewhere, there are probably several shortcuts being taken (which, as you saw in the previous example, can lead to costly repairs). Done correctly, your air conditioner should last between 12 15 years; however, many cheap jobs only last 8 10 years. Remember: you get what you pay for. Mistake #4. Paying Ahead of Time Buyer beware: you should never, ever pay upfront for an HVAC installation. Professional service companies will never ask you for payment until after the job is done. Sadly, some contractors will charge half (or even the full amount) beforehand. This puts you in a tough spot should the job be done incorrectly (again, see Mistake #1). That s why in my 32+ years in the business - I ve never asked for money up front. It s just not fair for you. Mistake #5. Not Getting a Guarantee No matter which professional you choose, make sure to get everything in writing beforehand. This will protect you if something goes wrong. Now that we ve looked at common mistakes to avoid, let s move on to
12 The Installation Process Did you know: choosing and installing the right unit accounts for up to 75% of your efficiency? It s true. But sadly, an improperly installed air conditioner is all too common. And unlike small household appliances which you simply plug in the quality of your heating or air conditioner system is directly dependent on proper installation. So it pays to do it right. It also pays to work with someone you trust. Having a stranger in your home can be very uncomfortable for lots of people that s why each of our employees have background checks and are full-time employees of Munson Air Conditioning Services. That s right I wouldn t send anyone to your home that I wouldn t invite into my own. Now let s talk about what happens on installation day. What to Expect First, we remove your old system. We remove your old air handler and add new copper drain lines and pipe insulation. Why do we this? Simple. Copper lines contain old oil and may have leaks. Replacing them during your installation insures your unit will run at maximum efficiency for years to come. Next, we re-line the box that draws the return fiberglass, re-seal it, install the air handler, duct it and seal it. Then, we go outside and secure the condenser on a new concrete pad for hurricane code (this is required by law, but some don t do it). The pad must be a certain size in order to run efficiently. Then, we check and tighten all the wires in the units and make sure all breakers are the right size for the new unit. If they aren t, we change them immediately to help you avoid future electrical problems. Next, we pull a vacuum on the system to make sure it s free of air and moisture because new systems are very susceptible to moisture. If moisture isn t present, the compressor should last up to 15 years.
13 Then we add a new digital thermostat configured for the system. Why? Because old thermostats don t work with new systems. The next step is to set the charge and balance the system. We adjust the airflow systems so you don t get too little (or too much) air. Then we go up in the attic to check the ductwork. This is an important step that often gets overlooked. If you re home isn t up to code, it can lead to expensive repairs down the line. Plus, if you have an incident with your house and it turns out your ductwork wasn t installed to code, insurance companies can pull your insurance and you have to pay everything out of pocket. to code, we ll fix it at no charge to you. The entire installation process takes a full day but don t worry, you don t have to be there. We can handle everything for you, but if you feel more comfortable being there, that s fine with me! And of course, no installation is complete until you have a clear understanding of how your new air conditioning system works. Either myself or one of my professional staff will walk you through your new system, showing you how everything works and making sure you re comfortable with its current settings. Ask all the questions you d like. We re here to answer them all. So that s the whole installation process from start to finish. Now let s talk about something very, very important Then we do all the paperwork and process any rebates (power company, manufacturers, etc.). This helps you save money on your installation. Once we ve double checked everything, we call the county for an inspection to ensure everything is done according to mechanical and energy codes. The county usually comes out a day later (over 90% are approved). If anything isn t up
14 Extend Service: Why It Can Save You Thousands I always suggest clients take the ten year (labor warranty) on all parts. Why? Manufacturers push for preventive maintenance in order to maintain the warranty and help you keep your insurance. This alone can save you thousands of dollars. For example, let s say your compressor goes out... the cost to repair this is between $600 - $700. That s already more than what you d pay for with a preventive maintenance plan! These units are not easy to fix. It s a lot like a car - they used to be easy to fix, but now a technician spends hours evaluating the A/C unit... which costs a LOT of money!
15 Benefits of a Service Package I offer all my clients a service package. Once or twice a year I ll check your air conditioner to make sure it s running smoothly. I ll check your system for improper airflow, low freons, dirty coils, burnt wires, relay sticking, holes in ductwork, thermostats way off calibration, and any other problems which cause abnormal wear and high power bills. I currently offer two service packages: $119 for once a year, and $139.95 for twice a year. This includes checking and servicing everything and as I previously mentioned is designed to protect your home and save you money. If you re ready to get started (or have any questions) feel free to call me today at 407-859-1494. Any problems I find, I ll fix. There are two huge benefits to a service package: 1. It ensures everything is under warranty. That way if something major does happen, you can rest easy knowing you re fully covered. 2. It saves you money. You can easily pay up to 20% more on your power bill if things aren t running smoothly. Therefore, a service package will easily pay for itself (and keep saving you money) after only two or three months.
16 Commercial Air Conditioning We re happy to help with commercial installations, too. In fact, our services include the installation and repair of ALL major commercial brands of air conditioning equipment, and the installation and repair of ALL major brands of commercial refrigeration, including ice machines. Plus, we can offer services in indoor air quality, control systems, energy efficiency, system design and preventive maintenance (more on that below). So if you are looking for a professional team to make your life easier from Request for Proposal (RFP) all the way to job completion, then you want Munson A/C to help make you commercial HVAC installation or repair a success. Here is a short list of what we provide: Commercial Ductless Systems Do you have office space you can t get ducts to? Do you have people that may be too hot (or cold)? Chances are, we can help. When it comes to installing ducts, we re the perfect choice for you. In fact (unlike most contractors) we are both a Mitsubishi Diamond Dealer and a Daikin DAN Dealer. And while I think these are the best XductX (ductless units) available, we can repair or install all models. We also offer Indoor Air Quality Inspection and Improvement Whether it s odor, allergies, or people getting sick, poor air quality can lower productivity. Fortunately, there are several solutions to improve your air quality and make your workplace cleaner and more productive. Our solutions include: UV lights Electronic filters De-humidifiers Plus many more. Feel free to give me a call and discover which is right for you.
17 Commercial Refrigeration and Fridge and Freezer Maintenance Over the last 30 years we have developed the refrigeration side of our business to be a big part of what we do. We install and service a wide variety of locations, including: meat packaging houses restaurants bakeries grocery stores hospital and medical centers So if you need to keep your products frozen (or cold) give me a call! Rooftop Heating and AC Systems A belt making noise? Need to change your filters? How about a new installation or repair? In any case, we have extensive experience with rooftop commercial units. No matter your commercial needs, give us a call and find out how we can help.
18 Why You Should Work With Us We are heavily insured ($3 5 million) and in good standing with the ACA and BBB. We are fully insured and all employees are EMPLOYEES, not sub-contractors. We own our trucks (no rentals) and do a wide variety of residential and commercial jobs. Here are just a few reasons why you should work with Munson: Been around for years - 1978 Competitive prices Fast 24-hour response to all residential and commercial needs Certified technicians Licensed, bonded, & insured Fully stocked service and maintenance vehicles Complete Central Florida coverage Over 30 years of award-winning service Highly trained staff that is available 24 hours for emergencies. Listed with the BBB with an A+ rating. Financing is available with approved credit. As you can see, we ve been doing this the right way for a long time. And you re completely covered with our certified technicians and insurance (which many contractors don t keep up to date on). So give me a call today. You ll be glad you did! Thanks for reading this guide I really hoped it help answer your questions. And if you have other questions, don t hesitate to contact me, Gary Munson. I m happy to answer all your questions and help you find the perfect HVAC system for you. So give me a call today! Sincerely, Gary Munson Munson Air Conditioning Munsonairconditioning.com (407) 859-1494