Tips for Newbies - HVAC

[Bryan L.]

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning. In my area of the mid-South, the most common HVAC systems are heat-pumps and combo gas/electric systems. You can often determine the age of the system by looking on the name plate on the unit. If you can't find a date on there, look at the model numbers and serial numbers. Usually, the year of manufacture will be included in those numbers somewhere. For example, 98xy36982530ab - it is likely that this unit was built in 1998 (and it's also likely that it needs to be replaced with this much age). You can also determine the size of the unit. There are 12,000 BTUs per "ton". In the number given above you see a "36". Well, 36 divided by 12 equals 3, so this is a 3 ton unit. When you're buying a replacement HVAC unity, shop around. I replaced mine at my house a few years ago and I had quotes ranging from about $4000 to over $8000. The $8000 guy tried to tell me that his warranty was better and all that. I might have been born in a turnip patch, but it wasn't last night.