01 / COMFORT SYSTEMS
Repairs
Understand what changed and explore the next steps for your system.
Explore repairsOne home. A complete climate.
From the temperature you feel to the air you breathe. Find the right starting point for a more comfortable home.
YOUR HOME, YOUR PRIORITIES
Find your next step.
Explore your comfort needs and prepare questions for a contractor. Your choices stay in this browser tab and clear when you reload.
Step 1 of 5 · Your comfort needs
Your comfort summary
Questions to bring to a contractor
This summary helps prepare a conversation. A qualified contractor can assess the equipment and your home.
02 / COMFORT SYSTEMS
Installation
Compare heating and cooling options with your home in mind.
Explore installation03 / COMFORT SYSTEMS
Maintenance
Plan seasonal care for the equipment you rely on.
Explore maintenanceMORE THAN A SINGLE FIXStart with
Start with
what matters.
Start with what you’ve noticed at home, whether your system needs attention, replacement or seasonal care.
Something isn’t quite right
Explore repair assessmentPlanning a change
Explore installationThinking a season ahead
Explore maintenanceA closer look.
4 photos
Outdoor equipment
A close view of an outdoor heat pump and its line connections.
A considered installation
An outdoor heat pump on a concrete base beside a stone-clad home.
Everyday controls
A wall control in a naturally lit living space.
Seasonal care
A technician examines a pleated filter at an indoor air handler.
HVAC Learning Center
Understand what you’re noticing at home, prepare for a service visit, and compare cooling efficiency.
Why are some rooms warmer or cooler than others?
Room temperatures can differ when heat gain, heat loss, or airflow varies across the home.
Sun exposure, insulation, drafty windows, and duct problems can all affect how a room feels. The pattern matters. A room that warms up every afternoon gives a contractor a different clue from a room that feels uncomfortable whenever the system runs.
What to do next
- Note which rooms are affected, the time of day, and whether heating or cooling is running.
- Check from the room that furniture and rugs are clear of supply and return grilles.
- Ask a contractor to assess airflow, duct condition, and insulation before changing equipment.
Common questions
Could the thermostat be part of the problem?
Its location and schedule can influence when the system runs. Note whether its reading seems representative of the rooms you use.
Does weak airflow mean the equipment is too small?
Weak airflow alone cannot establish equipment size. Ask about the filter, ducts, and air distribution before drawing a conclusion.
Should I close vents in other rooms?
Keep registers in their usual positions and describe the imbalance. Ask a contractor before changing how the system distributes air.
Repair or replace: what should I prepare?
Bring the equipment details, repair history, and any written quotes you already have.
A useful comparison starts with the same information on both sides. Ask what caused the fault, what the repair would address, and what is included in a replacement proposal. Age and repair frequency are context for the discussion, and the condition of the system needs a professional assessment.
What to do next
- Find the model and approximate installation date in your records or on an accessible label.
- List recurring symptoms, past work, and any warranty documents.
- Ask for a written scope, exclusions, and warranty terms for each option.
Common questions
What if I only have one quote?
Use the quote you have and write down the items you still need. The guide supports a comparison with either cost left blank.
Should I compare the total price alone?
Compare what each price includes, such as labor, controls, removal, or duct work. Ask for clarification on items that appear in only one proposal.
Can I collect equipment details myself?
Use paperwork or an accessible exterior label. Leave cabinet access, electrical testing, and refrigerant work to a qualified technician.
What happens during an HVAC maintenance visit?
A technician checks condition and operation, then explains any findings and follow-up work.
The scope depends on the equipment and the visit you arrange. A professional may review controls and airflow, inspect applicable coils or drains, and check safe operation. Ask what is included before the visit and request a written summary afterward.
What to do next
- Make a clear path to the equipment, thermostat, and accessible filter location.
- Note when the filter was last serviced, which rooms feel different, and any unusual sounds or odors.
- Ask how to care for your specific filter and which findings need follow-up.
Common questions
Can I check the filter before the visit?
Follow the equipment manual for a homeowner-accessible filter. Ask the technician to show you the correct procedure if access is unclear.
Is every maintenance visit the same?
No. Heating and cooling equipment have different components, and the agreed service scope determines what is included.
What should I ask the technician to explain?
Ask what was checked, what they found, what action is needed, and when they recommend the next visit.
How do heat pumps work, and when are they appropriate?
An electric heat pump moves heat. A reversible air-source system can heat the home and provide cooling.
In heating mode an air-source heat pump takes heat from outdoor air and moves it indoors. In cooling mode it moves heat outdoors. A contractor can compare ducted or ductless options based on climate, the home’s heating and cooling needs, equipment placement, and the existing electrical and air distribution systems.
What to do next
- Describe which spaces need heating, cooling, or both.
- Ask for a professional load calculation and how the proposed equipment performs at local design temperatures.
- Discuss ducts or indoor unit placement, electrical work, controls, and any backup heat.
Common questions
Can a heat pump work in a cold climate?
Some models are designed for cold conditions. Ask about capacity at your local design temperature and how any backup heat would operate.
Does a heat pump need ductwork?
Ducted and ductless air-source options exist. The right configuration depends on which spaces it serves and what can be installed in the home.
Can I use my existing ducts?
Have a contractor assess the ducts for condition, airflow, and suitability for the proposed equipment.
What affects indoor air quality, humidity, and comfort?
Indoor sources, ventilation, filtration, and moisture all affect the air in a home.
Address sources of pollutants and excess moisture first. Ventilation can help dilute pollutants, and suitable filtration can capture some airborne particles. A filter alone cannot resolve a leak or a moisture source. Talk through the pattern you observe before buying equipment.
What to do next
- Note where condensation, dampness, lingering odors, or stuffiness occur.
- Track when the problem appears and whether it follows cooking, bathing, or weather changes.
- Ask which filters fit the system and whether a ventilation or moisture assessment would help.
Common questions
Will a higher-rated filter always help?
Ask which filter the equipment can accommodate. A filter must fit correctly and allow the airflow the system requires.
Will filtration solve a damp room?
Identify and address the moisture source. Filtration can supplement other measures but does not fix leaks or condensation.
What is a useful detail to bring to a contractor?
Describe which rooms are affected, what you notice, and whether the pattern changes when the fan or cooling system runs.
What do SEER2 and HSPF2 efficiency ratings mean?
SEER2 describes seasonal cooling efficiency. HSPF2 describes seasonal heating efficiency for heat pumps.
Both ratings express seasonal output per watt-hour under defined test conditions. Compare cooling ratings on the same SEER2 basis and heating ratings on the same HSPF2 basis. Older SEER and HSPF values use a different test procedure. A rating alone cannot predict a household bill.
What to do next
- Ask for the rating of the proposed equipment combination and confirm which metric it uses.
- Compare SEER2 with SEER2 for cooling and use HSPF2 separately for heating.
- Ask how climate, sizing, installation, and typical operation affect any cost estimate.
Common questions
Can I enter a SEER rating in the explorer?
Use SEER2 for both inputs. If an older label only shows SEER, ask for a comparable SEER2 rating before using the tool.
Does the explorer estimate winter heating costs?
It models cooling only. Heating costs depend on different ratings and assumptions, including any backup heat.
Why might my bill change by a different amount?
A bill reflects weather, usage, rates, other electricity loads, and how equipment actually performs in the home.
Seasonal maintenance checklist
Mark each item as you prepare for a visit. Leave electrical work, refrigerant service, and safety controls to a qualified technician.
If you suspect a gas leak or a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, leave immediately and contact the appropriate emergency service from a safe location. Use this checklist for routine maintenance only.
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Energy Savings Explorer
Compare two SEER2 ratings under the same cooling demand. Enter a published SEER2 rating from 8 to 35 for each system. This is the explorer’s supported comparison range. Older SEER ratings use a different test procedure.
Illustrative comparison
Assumes the same cooling demand and electricity price. Actual bills depend on climate, equipment sizing, installation, usage and rates.
How the comparison works
Estimated proposed cooling energy as a share of current cooling energy equals current SEER2 divided by proposed SEER2. If you enter a cost, the model multiplies that cost by the ratio to estimate the proposed annual cost. The monthly difference is the annual difference divided by 12.
The comparison holds cooling demand and electricity price constant. Actual performance depends on climate, equipment sizing, installation, usage, and other factors. The monthly figure is an annual average across all months.
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