Make Sure the Contractor is Licensed, Bonded and Insured

Contractors who are not licensed by the State Construction Industry Licensing are not allowed to perform HVAC work in Georgia. Contractors who lack bonding and insurance are not prepared to compensate you for property damage, personal injury, financial loss, or loss or property. Before you sign a contract, ask to see proof of a contractor’s licensure, bonding, and insurance.

Check the Contractor’s Record at the Better Business Bureau

A contractor’s record at the Better Business Bureau (BBB) can reveal important things about its customer service, particularly whether or not it resolves customer complaints. If a contractor’s record makes it appear controversial, choosing a contractor who experiences less drama is the safest move.

Ask for Several Customer References

The more references you speak with, the more you learn about how a contractor’s customers regard its services. Speaking with three or four references is the norm, but the best idea is to speak with seven or eight. When heating and air conditioning contractors refuse to provide extra references, it may be a sign that many of their customers feel ambivalent or dissatisfied with the service they received.
Assess the Contractor’s Financial Stability

A contractor who lacks financial stability could go out of business and leave your project unfinished. This is why you should run a credit check on a contractor before you sign a contract. This rule is especially important when the contractor will perform a long, involved project, such as a furnace and ductwork replacement.

Never Pay for Work Upfront

Heating and air conditioning contractors who request to be paid upfront usually have one of two problems: financial instability or poor workmanship. In the first case, you risk having your project put on hold while your money is used to finish the contractor’s previous project. In the second case, you can end up with poorly installed equipment, with no financial leverage to force the contractor to fix the problem.

Get Everything in Writing

Before the contractor begins work, be sure that every aspect of the project is agreed to in writing. For example, if the contractor agrees to finish the project by a certain date, make the agreement financially binding. You should also have the total cost for the project in writing. Getting everything in writing does not mean you distrust the contractor; it means that you are protecting yourself financially.

Do You Need a HVAC Contractor Today?

If so, call Bardi Heating and Air Conditioning. For over twenty years, Bardi has helped keep commercial and residential buildings in the Atlanta area warm in the winter, and cool in the summer. With winter fast approaching, our Atlanta furnace repair experts are ready to inspect, clean, and/or repair your home or business’ furnace. To learn about our special coupon for residential furnace maintenance, call us today.

“I feel a little bit of heat coming out, but not enough.”

If your system fails to deliver the amount of heat your family needs as temperatures begin to drop, try checking your thermostat just to make sure you have set it correctly. As simple as it may sound, homeowners often adjust the temperature without switching the system from cool to heat. Examine your vents to see if they are open, and that there is nothing in your home that is restricting the airflow. If you are still faced with the same dilemma after checking on your own, give your trusted HVAC expert a call. The most common reason for insufficient heat is a faulty blower, which is a simple and inexpensive fix provided by NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certified technicians.

“I can hear my furnace running differently than it did before.”

Whether systems are switching on and off more frequently than in the past, or a blower continues to run non stop, homeowners immediately notice the difference in how their equipment sounds. Although strange noises are often overlooked when furnaces continue to heat rooms normally, they still represent a problem that could easily become worse if you do not address it right away. Faulty thermostats are historically guilty of causing furnaces to cycle on and off excessively, and a continuously running blower is often due to poorly adjusted limit switches. In each circumstance, Atlanta heating and air specialists will quickly correct the problem, preventing your utility bill from skyrocketing.

Keep Bardi on Speed Dial This Winter

Choosing certified technicians for all of your home ownership maintenance or emergency needs is easier than ever when Bardi is your go-to Atlanta heating and air company. Regardless of your HVAC debacle, each technician is NATE certified, professional, and fully qualified to turn your faulty system into a high performance heating machine. Offering the highest level of maintenance planning, repairing solutions, and replacement options, Bardi continues to service customers unlike any other provider in Georgia. The most comprehensive guarantees in the industry have made it clear: homeowners in the metropolitan area know exactly who to rely on for affordable repairs that, in turn, prevent costly replacements.

Building Problems

Furnaces and air conditioning units are mechanical, made up of several different components that allow them to function properly. If you plan on enjoying comfortable temperatures throughout the blistering summer and chilly winter, you are going to have to nurture your system in the same way you would take care of any other machine you depend on every day. Although there are many reasons we maintain our vehicles, two of them stand out the most. Avoiding costly repairs, and extending the duration of use. It is common knowledge that a car owner who neglects oil changes will run into some even bigger problems down the road. The same concept applies for your system.

The thought of companies making up excuses to scare owners into spending their money is completely false when you consider that normal dust and dirt buildup are the leading causes of system failure. An HVAC maintenance plan is an effective way to care for your equipment in small, inexpensive doses, rather than facing an expensive replacement ordeal before you are actually due for one.

What to Expect from a Reasonable Plan

Now that we agree on the need to think ahead, choosing an Atlanta heating and air expert who is truly qualified for the job is a slightly different story. A worthwhile scheduled plan will provide a way for you to take preventative measures to extend the life of your equipment, without breaking the bank. Reputable companies will identify the specific goals of your plan, such as lowering your utility bills, improving safety, and providing healthier air for your family or employees. Affordable HVAC maintenance memberships will also offer incentives to owners with multiple units, priority scheduling to make the service process convenient, and special discounts to really stretch your dollar.

From Reasonable to Outstanding

Bardi continues to be the number one Atlanta heating and air provider that Georgians rely on for quality and affordable service plans. Weighing in at less than one dollar per day, Bardi offers HVAC maintenance agreements that are easy for owners to weave into their budgets, allowing them assurance that they are taking the most effective steps toward extending the life of their equipment. Each technician is NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certified, and committed to spending as much time on each unit as the job calls for, for one flat annual fee. System tune-ups are conducted bi-annually for each member, guaranteeing equipment that will run at peak performance, every season of the year.

NATE is Your New Best Friend

Unlike broad certification tests, NATE testing represents a real working knowledge of specialized HVAC services. There are several areas of testing that allow technicians to become bona fide experts, along with different levels of achievement for each one. How does this relate to your home or business? You probably would not call a mechanic whose specialty is transmissions, if your car needs cosmetic collision body work. When heating companies claim to know the ins and outs of an indoor climate system, it does not necessarily mean they are equipped to handle your unique maintenance, repair, or replacement needs.

Meet KATE, She Calls The Shots around Here

For every type of NATE certification, technicians are provided a KATE (Knowledge Area of Technician Expertise) outline. KATE guidelines are in place to simplify the certification process for HVAC technicians, by dividing each type of test based on the realistic service, experience, and skill level of the tester. Before any technician can proceed with certification, core exams are given to analyze his or her strengths and weaknesses. General, construction, and specialized skills are tested to determine which area of service suits the technician best. Although it might seem tedious, the main objective of this multi-faceted process is to guarantee the technician you hire for your home or business is legitimately qualified to tackle any challenge your furnace or air conditioning unit presents to them.

Choosing To Ignore NATE and KATE

You may be wondering why most Atlanta heating and air providers choose not to hire NATE certified technicians, if they are everything they claim to be. The answer is simple: NATE certification is not a requirement of the HVAC trade. It is an elective opportunity to prove each technician’s value to heating companies. A considerable amount of time, dedication, and commitment is expected from technicians, in addition to testing fees. Providers who choose to ignore NATE certification are not denying the level of expertise that validates the title; they are simply unwilling to compensate certified technicians with the wages they rightfully deserve. As a result, unprofessional, uneducated, and less than qualified service workers are sent to homes and businesses throughout Georgia every day.

Bardi Insists on Hiring NATE Certified Technicians

Heating companies like Bardi are unwilling to settle for less than the absolute best technicians when it comes to providing service to loyal customers. As the leading Atlanta heating and air specialists, Bardi takes pride in knowing that every time you pick up the phone with furnace or cooling issues, we are capable of sending an expert who is fully qualified to service your unit. By demanding NATE certification from each and every one of our employees, we are one of the only providers capable of standing behind our work with the most comprehensive guarantees in the industry. That is what we call priceless reassurance for your home or business, and absolute peace of mind in the long run.

The Atlanta heating and air experts that you hire should be dependable, trustworthy, and respectable individuals. After all, you will be opening your home or business doors to technicians, trusting them to deliver a quality maintenance tune-up, repair, or system replacement without actually getting to know them on a personal level beforehand. Choosing Atlanta heating companies that screen, train, and guide all technicians in the same way they would desire for their own service will save you a lot of unnecessary worry, regret, and discomfort.

If you wouldn’t invite someone with the following characteristics for dinner, you certainly don’t want them in charge of your HVAC system:

1. Servicing under the Influence: Believe it or not, illegal drug testing is only a standard practice of some, not all HVAC businesses in Georgia. Considering that a properly serviced furnace or cooling unit provides comfort and can eliminate the risk of deadly carbon monoxide poisoning, technicians need to make testing for carbon monoxide poisoning a mainstay in their business practices.

2. Bonnie and Clyde, At Your Service: Criminal background checks and safe driver testing are expected among several workplaces throughout the metropolitan area. Why is it that some Atlanta heating companies believe they are exempt from these tests? Most home and business owners are rightfully uneasy with rising public crime rates. Welcoming criminal activity in a place you need to feel the most secure can produce devastating results.

3. Fashionably Late Technicians: There’s nothing chic about placing a call to a professional that decides to show up whenever he or she wants. You are hiring a service, and paying your hard-earned money for it. Don’t you think the arrival terms should be up to you, instead of them? Homeowners have things to do, and places to go. Businesses need prompt solutions to prevent expensive productivity loss. Reputable HVAC experts use computerized dispatching methods, and provide GPS systems to make sure your technician knocks on the door at the exact time you are expecting him or her to arrive.

4. Unprepared and Unapologetic: In addition to arriving on time, technicians need to be fully prepared to evaluate your system and provide service in a single visit. The fact that most Atlanta heating and air businesses do not fully stock their service trucks for every possible scenario is not only irritating, it is blatantly disrespectful of your time.

5. HVAC Ignorance Is Not Bliss: Georgia families and businesses rely on indoor climate control three-hundred and sixty-five days a year. Hiring providers who are certified, licensed, bonded, and insured will prevent mistakes that are common for uneducated technicians that often lead to a system melt down. Make sure the company you choose will take care of your problem, rather than make it worse.

Bardi is your number one Atlanta heating and air provider, when you simply cannot afford to play costly games with your indoor climate system. A combination of rigorous employee testing, and a special emphasis on NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certification has made Bardi the most trustworthy, dependable, and respected company in the metropolitan area. If you’ve ever experienced HVAC technician blunders, or you plan on taking every step possible to avoid them, give the experts at Bardi a call to find out how we will ease your mind, and become the only provider you open your doors to.

System age and current condition are the two factors checked first when a technician is evaluating your system. After seven years of operation, these units typically receive the replacement recommendation. Maintenance is more suitable for newer units because the repairs can supply improved efficiency and operation. Keep this in mind when you have a professional come out to provide a servicing estimate.

Atlanta Furnace Repair: System Type Determines Maintenance Needs

Atlanta furnace repair maintenance recommendations might be affected by the type of unit currently operating within your home. Electrical systems consist of the basic components, but do not have the additional concerns brought on with fuel supplied models. A gas furnace performs in much the same way, but has parts such as the pilot light and the gas burner that require their own specific maintenance. Heater components are stored in a large cabinet that pulls in cold air to be cleaned and warmed. Once it has been heated to the set temperature, air is distributed by the blower motor to the strategically placed vents in your home.

Units are categorized by many factors, including the method used for heating air. For example, a gas furnace uses a burner to perform the warming process. The pilot must be lit for the burner to make use of supplied gas for heating. If the pilot malfunctions, you will not receive warm air when the blower is operating. An electrical design uses a heating coil that completes warming while electrical currents are supplied. Air is warmed by the coil as its temperature increases and is subsequently sent throughout your home by the blower. Blower, thermostat, electrical switch problems, and burner malfunctions are most common, regardless of the heating source. Maintenance varies due to the additional parts being used by a fuel-based unit.

Always consult with an Atlanta furnace repair expert unless you are familiar with the internal components of your installed unit. Their knowledge will help you make the wisest decision when it comes to considering large repairs. You may find replacement to be more efficient than electing to have a technician complete the recommended fixes. These systems have many internal components that must work together to provide proper air flow and temperature regulation. A single part malfunction could affect the entire operation of your system as well as its energy efficiency. Heating and air conditioning services should be supplied by a dependable professional. Bardi technicians have extensive training, are certified, and are available twenty-four hours a day. Schedule an appointment today to have one of our expert technicians inspect or service your system.

Many variables will determine the overall cost of replacing your reduced efficiency system. Replacement typically arises when your unit stops functioning completely or when this option provides more value than the needed repairs. You do not necessarily have to replace everything at one time. The heating portion may be one installation with the cooling unit being another. This decision will greatly depend on the amount of funds you currently have available, along with where the problem lies. Professionals are your best source of advice when your home appliance quandary evolves into a dire calamity. They can evaluate home size, system needs, and other factors to supply the best purchasing advice.

Atlanta Heating: Replacement Involves Three Distinct Costs

Three basic expense groupings are present when Atlanta heating professionals must replace your system. Part replacement varies on the heating method and the current condition of these components. In a gas furnace, some suggested part replacements include the flue, jack boot, flashing, sheet metal transitions, thermostat, wiring, fitting, connectors, piping, drain pan, and the circuit breaker. Technicians make recommendations per system, meaning not all parts are always swapped out for new components. The method for heating will play a part in these decisions since fuel burning models have additional parts not found in an electric based system. Supplies such as sealer, tape, and fasteners are also part of the total cost. Expect the part replacement portion to range anywhere from three hundred to six hundred dollars.

The furnace purchase will be a large contributor to the overall cost of an Atlanta heating installation. A Bardi technician can help you calculate proper unit size as well as discuss the reliability of various brands. Their knowledge may be combined with your exact comfort desires to ensure you are buying a suitable replacement system. Higher quality models will come with a more expensive price tag, but will also offer better warranties and manufacturing practices. Size is an area with little flexibility because the unit must fit air flow needs of your home. Improper sizing leads to performance complications that degrade the value of a new installation.

Unit price increases along with the size, meaning you will have to look toward other buying areas if purchasing expenses must be reduced. Features, efficiency ratings, and the time of year are reasons for price fluctuation. Furnace replacement can range as little as four hundred dollars or as much as three grand. Installation costs vary by provider, making it essential to receive a minimum of three company quotes for heating and air in Atlanta. Our technicians have all the experience necessary to provide cost effective recommendations for replacement. Call us today to schedule an evaluation and receive a quality installation estimate.

A burner performs heating within fuel supplied units, whereas a coil is used for the same purpose on electrical models. Additionally, an ignition component supplies the flame needed for the burner to synthesize the fuel. The HVAC Atlanta servicing company you select should be familiar with the heating type, setup, model, and brand being used. A professional without this experience will be no more beneficial than if you were attempting to inspect the system yourself.

Atlanta Heating: Is Expert Assistance Necessary to Resolve the Problem?

Your gas furnace, like any other, can stop supplying warm air or quit functioning for many common reasons. The most prevalent causes are thermostat issues, breaker tripping, and blown fuses. Proper operation in these departments shows a larger problem has occurred. Gas heaters have two more components that must be checked before you can decide if professional Atlanta heating assistance is necessary. You must check the pilot light to ensure it is on as well as the control valve to be certain gas is being supplied. Do not take the time to investigate if a gas smell becomes present in your home. Instead, exit the structure and make the necessary calls for help. Lack of heat might require a thermostat change, breaker resets, new fuses, or igniting the pilot light. Any further steps need to be handled by an experienced professional when no heat is available.

Furnaces not providing the right air temperature might have dirty filters or burners. You can change the filters as an attempt to resolve the problem, but an Atlanta heating professional might need to clean or fine-tune the burner. Blower problems commonly contribute to situations where your unit frequently cycles. Your thermostat, motor, or filtration components might also be part of the problem. An adjustment to the thermostat may resolve air flow issues; however, you might need a technician to inspect belt tension or lubricate various motor parts. The belts might need to be adjusted or replaced, depending on their condition. Consistent blower operation could be due to faulty switches if the control settings are correct. A high pitched squeal in your gas furnace could be the sign of a slipped belt or bearing problems.

Bardi experts have years of experience in both the installation and maintenance of these units. Whether you need a simple routine check or full-blown maintenance visit, you can trust our HVAC Atlanta professionals to supply the most beneficial recommendations for getting system operation back on track.

Atlanta Heating: What Can You Check Before Calling a Technician?

A blower problem is easily detectable because it often prevents air from being pushed out of the vents into your home. If you are familiar with a central heating system, you may be able to perform a few checks before calling an Atlanta heating professional. Your furnace will fail to operate any time power is not present, making it essential to verify this before checking any other possible cause. A blown fuse, tripped circuit, or flipped service switch prevents power from reaching the unit, thus preventing operation. Check these items before scheduling an inspection with a certified professional to save both time and money.

Improper settings on your thermostat may make it seem like your unit is malfunctioning. A consistently running system may be due to the thermostat fan option being set to “on” rather than the recommended “auto” setting. Changing this setting or resetting the blower might cause the system to operate correctly once again. Check the motor belts to ensure they have not broken or slipped off. A broken belt must be replaced, whereas an adjustment may fix the problem of a slipped belt. Switches become faulty, thus leading to burned out wiring and other complications that directly affect your unit’s ability to operate. You may need an Atlanta heating technician to check these aspects of the system if you have minimal HVAC experience.

Lack of air in vents is not always a sign of blower issues; however, it is seen quite often by Bardi professional technicians. Ductwork can be the culprit in some situations and should be checked accordingly. Ducts or vents become less efficient when dirt accumulates inside or leaks become present. You should have them inspected to ensure a leak is not the reason for heating inefficiency. If a more significant problem is present, our technicians evaluate the issue with the goal of providing a straightforward repair estimate. We understand how important your comfort and time are, and we focus on getting your system operating within a short time and at a reasonable cost. Call or visit our website today to learn about our supplied heating services to the Atlanta area residential buildings.

Atlanta Heating: Tips for Remedying the Most Widely Seen System Problems

Atlanta heating experts see some problems consistently as they are servicing units in the area. A thermostat malfunction is one of the easiest to fix and can be identified by evaluating furnace operations. Heating cycle inconsistencies or inability to turn on your system are both signs of a possible thermostat problem. When it is not working correctly, the heating or air may turn on more than necessary or not kick on when it should. These problems could also be brought on by clogged filters as well as a malfunctioning blower. Be sure to verify your thermostat is correct and then change disposable filters if extensive buildup is present. If these actions do not cause the system to work better, a professional will be needed to further assess the problem.

Tripped breakers and blown fuses are another issue seen often when the call is made to service an HVAC system. Check these items along with proper thermostat operation and settings. A power switch is typically found in near proximity to the actual unit. Verify it is turned on before checking the breaker box for an overloading issue. Gas furnaces have the additional possibility of an unlit pilot light. Any one of these issues will prevent the system from turning on, leaving you with the impression something more serious has occurred. Any problems not already defined require expert knowledge that can only be provided by an Atlanta heating specialist.

Multiple circumstances may cause your unit to provide insufficient heat or air during operation. Correcting the thermostat settings, changing disposable filters, or opening closed registers might resolve the problem; however, it could be due to something more serious, such as faulty blower operations. Inconsistent room temperatures may require internal adjustments or part replacements. Thermostat issues can also cause the blower to run all the time. Make sure the fan setting is in the “auto” position, and if the problem persists, then call a technician. Annual maintenance is your best preventative approach to these and other common issues experienced by technicians. Bardi has been providing HVAC services for over twenty years to Atlanta residents and businesses. Call us today to have one of our highly experienced technicians evaluate your system for improved performance and efficiency.