Before you call for heating or cooling

Check these first

• The thermostat: mode, setpoint, batteries, schedule.
• The filter: a clogged filter causes weak airflow, freezing coils and short cycling.
• The breaker and the outdoor disconnect.
• The condensate drain: a full safety pan shuts many systems off.
• Vents and returns blocked by furniture or rugs.

Repair or replace

A rule of thumb: if the repair costs more than half the price of a new system and the equipment is past 12 to 15 years, replacement usually wins. Efficiency gains are real, but comfort and reliability are the reason most people replace.

Sizing matters more than brand

A system sized from a Manual J load calculation runs longer, quieter cycles and controls humidity. Oversized equipment short cycles and leaves the house clammy. Ask how the Pro sized it.

What a good replacement estimate lists

The equipment model numbers, the efficiency ratings, the refrigerant, whether the line set and ductwork are being replaced or reused, the thermostat, the permit, the startup and commissioning, and the warranties on parts and labor.

Maintenance

A tune-up each spring and fall, filters on schedule, and the outdoor unit kept clear. Cheap compared to a compressor.