Hawk Mechanical, Mechanical Contractor, Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning in Taos, NM

Be properly sized to provide correct air flow, and meet room-by-room calculated heating and cooling loads.
Be installed so that the static air pressure drop across the handler
is within manufacturer and design specifications to have the capacity to meet the calculated loads.
Have sealed supply ductwork that will provide proper air flow.
Be installed with a return system sized to provide correct return air flow.
Have sealed return ductwork that will provide proper air flow to the fan, and avoid air entering the HVAC system from polluted zones (e.g., fumes from autos and stored chemicals, and attic particulates).
Have balanced air flows between supply and return systems to maintain neutral pressure in the home.
Minimize duct air temperature gain or loss between the air handler and room registers, and between return registers and the air handler.
Be properly charged with refrigerant.
Have proper burner operation and proper draft.

Heat & Cool Efficiently

As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling.
So making smart decisions about your home's heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills — and your comfort.

Change your air filter regularly

Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change the filter every 3 months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool — wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system — leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.

Tune up your HVAC equipment yearly

Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort.

Install a programmable thermostat

A programmable thermostat is ideal for people who are away
from home during set periods of time throughout the week. Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy costs.

Consider installing ENERGY STAR qualified heating and cooling equipment

If your HVAC equipment is more than 10 years old or not keeping your house comfortable, have it evaluated by a professional HVAC contractor. If it is not performing efficiently or needs upgrading, consider replacing it with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR. Depending on where you live,
replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with ENERGY STAR qualified equipment can cut your annual energy bill by nearly $200.

Ask about Proper Installation of your new equipment

Replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with new, energy-efficient models is a great start. But to make sure that you get the best performance, the new equipment must be properly installed. In fact, improper installation can reduce system efficiency by up to 30 percent — costing you more on your utility bills and possibly shortening the equipment's life.

Criteria for a Quality HVAC System