Three Steps to Comfort

Step One: Learn What to Look For In a Quality Heating and Cooling System

Step One is education. With the purchase of a heating and cooling system, it is important to learn as much as you can about the types of systems, their efficiencies and what comfort they will provide to you. To help you better understand the variety of types of systems available, contact your local BHP office. We offer information on the types of systems which will prepare you for the purchase of the system that best meets your heating and cooling comfort needs.

At BHP, we will offer our customers a free Heat Loss Analysis. The Analysis compares the estimated annual electric operating cost savings of a specific home heating, cooling and water heating system to a fossil fuel system. An analysis report will be delivered or mailed to you within two weeks of receipt. The report will also include other pertinent information such as energy efficient rebates and special electric rates offered by BHP.

Step Two: Ask Questions To Help You Decide Which Installation Best Suits Your Needs.

After visiting with BHP, you've probably gained a good working knowledge about quality heating and cooling installations, and you've likely selected quality certified dealers for estimates. Certified dealers are companies that have participated in BHP's training programs on HVAC installations. They may be certified under the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) or the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA). BHP has recognized these certified dealers as quality installers.

You may only get one or two opportunities to form an impression of these dealers, so it is important you draw as much information from them as possible during their presentations. Quality dealers will be glad to tell you all about their companies. Remember -- you are the one investing your money. Don't be bashful about asking tough, probing questions. Ask as many questions as you feel necessary.

Step Two reviews commonly asked questions, and tells you why they're important. Issues addressed here reflect items from the checklists in Step Three. The checklists are the key to this guide -- they are the tools that clearly identify advantages and disadvantages of each option you have.

Questions About Dealerships

Q. Tell me about your company (number of years in business, number of employees, your training, background, etc.)

A. This is a good opening question; it allows dealers to discuss their company's experience in the heating and cooling business. Take notes, because this type of question can draw out a lot of useful information.

Q. Are you a certified dealer?

A. Being certified is an expression of a dealer's commitment to quality installation. Certified dealers install heat pumps to industry standards for professional installation, and one or more of their service technicians has completed the rigorous RSES heat pump certification program.

Q. Is your company fully licensed and insured?

A. Dealers doing business as a heating and cooling contractor must comply with all federal, state, and local requirements for licensing, permits, insurance, etc. Asking the dealer for proof of insurance protects you and your home. You can image what might happen if a worker for an uninsured dealer was hurt while working in your home, of if your property was damaged by an uninsured dealer.

Q. Will you provide references?

A. Quality dealers will be glad you asked that question. Such dealers usually carry copies of letters and a list of several customers you may call for references. If you do ask for references, follow up with a call to the people and ask what they have to say about the dealership.

Q. Will you provide a written, plain language proposal which details the work to be done and the equipment to be used?

A. Once you select a dealer and sign a proposal, the terms of that proposal become a binding agreement between you and the dealer.

Beware of dealers who leave you with nothing more than a verbal proposal and a price scribbled on a napkin. Look instead to dealers whose proposals plainly describe the system they intend to sell you, how it is to be installed, the price you are agreeing to pay for the job, and the terms of payment.

Q. What is your company's service policy? Do you offer 24-hour, seven-days-a-week service? What constitutes emergency service?

A. These questions will let you know what you can expect from the dealer if the equipment were to stop working properly, or needed adjustments.

Q. Will my existing air duct system provide proper airflow?

A. To answer this question accurately, the dealer must first look at your existing equipment and air ducts. Even then, some dealers may want to complete their heat loss/heat gain study before discussing air duct modification. Beware of dealers who do not take time to look over your present air duct system. Remember, proper airflow is likely the most critical factor in determining how well a unit performs.

Q. What are the experiences and qualifications of the workers who will install the system?

A. Their qualifications are as important, if not more, than those of the person you are interviewing. Dealers often provide continuing education for their employees through training and testing programs such as the RESE heat pump certification.

Q. Once installed, will your company inspect the system for proper operation?

A. While all dealers should do this, some may even offer to review the operation and maintenance of the system with you after installation is complete. Such a service is an indication of a company truly committed to quality work.

Questions About Equipment

Q. What type and size of equipment do you recommend and why?

A. For a well-insulated, all-electric home, the dealer should recommend an electric heat pump or geothermal system. While some dealers will recommend central air conditioners for homes heated with a gas or oil furnace, others will recommend pairing the furnace with an add-on heat pump for greater efficiency.

Q. What items does the warranty specifically cover and for how long?

A. Details of the warranty should be provided to you in written form, either on the dealer's proposal or on a warranty sheet from the manufacturer. Some dealers offer extended parts and labor warranties as an option to their systems. Details of these options should also be presented in writing.

Q. What items are included in the price of the system?

A. Quality dealers will detail the work to be performed and equipment to be used in a plain language written proposal. Never assume anything -- get it in writing.

Q. What options do you recommend and why?

A. Quality dealers are really home comfort professionals. They should ask you questions, then recommend only the options they believe would suit your specific needs.

Step Three: Purchase the System Based On What You've Learned and Questions You've Asked.

Congratulations! You've reached the last of the "Three Steps To Comfort". This is the first step that pulls everything together to help you purchase a high-efficiency, high-quality heating and cooling system. Step Three contains a dealer checklist and an equipment checklist.

After presentations from just a few dealers, details and impressions tend to run together. With the dealer checklist, you can avoid that problem by writing down information as you're talking with each dealer. You may choose to fill in the blanks with "Yes" or "No" answers, or you may want to use a numbered rating system based on how strong or weak an impression you get.

No two dealers write proposals in the same way. For that reason comparing proposals can be frustrating and time-consuming. The equipment checklist allows you to jot down highlights from up to three dealer proposals and compare that information -- point to point -- on one convenient sheet.

For dealer recommendations, operating cost information, a Heat Loss/Heat Gain Study, or just more information, contact your Black Hills Power representative.