Installing a new central heating system is a big commitment.
It's not something to be taken lightly as it is a major part of your home, and can also be an area where you spend a lot of money.
When searching for someone to install a new central heating system, you'll want to make sure you choose the right company for a number of reasons.
One of the most important reasons should be reliability and/or reputation.
If a company is not reliable and has a bad reputation, odds are they will not be able to provide you with the level of service that should be given to someone investing in a central heating system.
A good central heating specialist should be knowledgeable about all the available heating methods (i.
e.
broiler vs.
furnace, energy efficiency, etc.
) and be able to provide advice regarding any aspect of the central heating system.
If they are not well-versed in all the areas involving your central heating system, including duct work and how best to optimize the system, then you are probably not receiving top rate service and/or installations.
Odds are, you've heard of several local companies within your area that specialize in this type of installation.
Inquire with your neighbors to see who they used and what their experience was.
Do some research yourself and see if you can find some reliable reviews of the company online, whether they are accredited with several niche organizations, and whether they have an affiliation with the Better Business Bureau.
All of these factors should at least get you to the initial stage of who you'd like to call to discuss your options further.
Central heating is by far the most efficient method of heating, as it heats the entire home rather than attempting to heat smaller portions of the house with limited means.
Since you are also able to control your thermostat, you can literally control how much money you are spending on heating as well as your environment.
Your central heating expert should be able to give you additional tips about how to have your central heating system running in an optimized way for peak efficiency.
They can advise you as to how many systems you may need.
This is especially true for larger homes or two-level homes which will probably require separate units for separate portions of the house.
This is more efficient on the system and on energy.
They can also advise you as to what the most efficient central heating systems are on the market to save you even more money.
Another great option to discuss with your central heating expert is the ability to add-on a programmable thermostat.
This important feature can save you hundreds of dollars each year on energy bills.
It's a simple install with minimal costs, and it allows you to program your thermostat for certain temperatures at specific times throughout the day.
For example, you can program the thermostat to be off during the day while you are at work, and to turn on at a certain temperature an hour before you come home so your house will be warm when you arrive.
Always be sure to inquire what types of costs you will incur when installing a central heating system.
It goes without saying that you will need to pay for the system itself as well as labor, but there may be additional fees that you are subject to.
Rather than be surprised when you receive a bill at the end of services rendered, be sure to get all the information up front.
Most important of all is that you go with the most reputable company.
Going with the cheapest install is not necessarily a good thing, as your central heating system is not something that you want to skimp on.
It is extremely expensive to fix should something go wrong with the install, and it will cost you a lot of money in wasted energy if not installed properly.
Find out as much information about the company upfront, ask for testimonials, and ask for a quote that includes all possible fees, and you should be well prepared to choose a central heating expert that works for you.