Once your HVAC system is installed, your heating and cooling professional should supply you with a written invoice. This invoice generally will list:

• The name, physical address and license number of the heating and cooling contractor.
• A list of all HVAC work performed.
• An itemized list of the new furnace, air conditioner and ventilation system installed and any replacement parts needed.
• The total heating and cooling unit installation cost, including an itemized amount due for labor.
• Any applicable warrantees or guarantees.

Once you’ve reviewed the invoice, it’s smart to compare the work that was actually done to the written document. Ask your cooling and heating contractor to show you the new system installation or HVAC repairs that were done. Check the products and work against the line-item invoice.

This is also a good time to have the furnace contractor explain the HVAC unit to you in detail and show you the best steps to take in running and maintaining your new system.

If you have questions about the work that was done or any items that seem to be missing or in conflict with your written contract or invoice, this is the time to ask your contractor.

Before your heating and cooling contractor leaves the job, confirm with them any warranties and guarantees you’ve agreed upon. Not all HVAC companies in Sonoma County offer warranties on their work and products.

If the HVAC company you’ve chosen does provide written warranteis, they should give you a written warranty that includes:

• The HVAC contractor’s name, physical business address and license number.
• What heating and cooling products and work are covered, including whether the contractor will replace or repair your heating and cooling system or give you a refund if you place a warranty claim.
• Your responsibility if you need warranty work or a replacement furnace or air conditioner (i.e., if you have to pay for labor when filing a claim for warranty work or pay a prorated amount).
• Terms of and limitations on the new HVAC unit warranty.
• If the new HVAC system warranty coverage is transferrable to the new owner if you sell your home.
• Any exclusions to the warranty must be in writing.

You should also ask for written care and handling instructions for your new air conditioner and furnace, including when to change air filters and how to handle service issues. Knowing what steps you should take to preserve your unit can help keep it running and efficient for years to come.

The most common air conditioning, heating and ventilation system repairs and services are listed below for your convenience. We’ve also included a list of the most popular brands of HVAC units available in Sonoma County, including in the larger cities of Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Windsor, Healdsburg, Sonoma, Cloverdale, Sebastopol, Cotati and Guerneville and the greater Bay Area.

AC Repair (Air Conditioner Repair)
Sonoma County HVAC contractors perform residential air conditioner repairs to fix broken AC units, replace failing air conditioner parts, upgrade air conditioners with new parts that are more energy efficient and prepare AC units for seasonal use.

Heater Repair (Furnace Repair)
As with home air conditioner repairs, home heater repairs upgrade old furnace parts, repair broken furnaces, replace failing heater parts and make old heaters more energy efficient for winter home heating. Heater repair technicians can also check for dangerous furnace emissions, such as carbon monoxide, and can fix any potential leaks.

Furnace Installation
New furnaces can be installed by local Sonoma County heating and cooling companies. Furnace installers may put in stand-alone furnaces, or can install a new furnace as part of a home heating and cooling system. In order to get the best results and ensure the safety of your new home heater, furnace installation should only be done by an experienced professional.

HVAC Unit Installation
HVAC unit installation is a complicated process involving determining which size of heating and cooling equipment is needed, which brand and model of HVAC unit is best for your needs, detailed installation methods to keep air conditioner and furnace warrantees intact, and the actual installation process which must be done correctly in order to preserve the safety and integrity of the equipment. Experts recommend that HVAC equipment, including air conditioners, heaters, home ventilation systems, boiler systems and furnaces, should be installed by professional HVAC installation companies.

Heating and Air Conditioning Unit Repairs
Air conditioning and heating unit repairs include repairs to the heating and cooling elements, air intake, fans and  mechanical components of HVAC units.

Home Ventilation System Installation & Repair
Home ventilation system installation and repairs in Sonoma County deal with the air intake vents, exhaust fans, home ventilator, air ducts and ventilation system controls. Some ventilation systems are integrated with heating and cooling systems while others are stand-alone ventilation systems. Residential ventilation systems remove stale air from the home, bring in fresh air from outside, and move the air around inside the home.

Energy Star HVAC Systems
Energy Star HVAC systems sold in Sonoma County are heating and cooling units that are Energy Star certified. Energy Star is labeling system designed by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy. Energy Star heating and cooling systems, air conditioners, furnaces, boilers and other home comfort systems are extensively tested to ensure high efficiency standards.

Portable Air Conditioning Units
Often seen as window air conditioners or compact air conditioners on wheels, portable air conditioning units are small, movable AC units that are not permanently installed and can be moved from room to room.

Central Air Conditioner Installation
Central air conditioners are cooling and dehumidifying systems that work from a central location in a home or business to distribute cool air throughout the building. Central air conditioners are often installed together with central heating furnaces and are known as HVAC units.

Residential Heating and Cooling System Installation
Sonoma County HVAC companies offer installation of  residential heating and cooling systems. Installation generally includes removal of old HVAC equipment, installation and custom fitting of new heating and cooling components.

Popular Brand Requests for HVAC Equipment in Sonoma County

• Trane Air Conditioning Units
• Carrier Furnaces & Air Conditioners
• Goodman Air Conditioners
• Air Con Systems
• Frigidaire Air Conditioners
• Mitsubishi Air Conditioners
• Bryant Furnaces
• Amana Air Conditioning & Heaters
• Lennox Air Conditioning & Furnaces
• Kenmore Air Conditioners & Heating Units

air conditioner
A piece of home cooling equipment that controls indoor air temperature, humidity, air quality, and movement of cool air. Air conditioning units can be portable air conditioners or central air conditioning systems that stand alone or are part of an integrated HVAC system.

Also known as: air conditioning, home air conditioner, residential air conditioner, air conditioning unit

air filter
An air filter is the device used to remove unwanted particles, dust, vapors, and odors from indoor air. Air filters have two functions: protecting home HVAC equipment from damage and improving indoor air quality.

Also known as: air filtration units, home air filters, air conditioner filters, furnace filters, HVAC filters

air handler
Heating and cooling systems have air handlers, the piece of equipment that forces hot and cool air through ductwork and out the air vents.

Also known as: air handling system, air fan, HVAC air handler

BTU rating
BTU stands for British Thermal Units. BTUs measure the amount of heat needed to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. The higher an HVAC system’s BTU rating, the larger the heating capacity of the air conditioner or furnace. Larger homes with more space to heat and cool require HVAC systems with higher BTU ratings.

Also known as: British Thermal Units, BTU ratings, heating capacity rating, cooling capacity rating

boiler
Home heating boilers heat air using steam and hot water. Some boilers may be more efficient at providing even, draft-free heat than forced-air heaters.

Also known as: hot water steam boiler, boiler system, low pressure boilers, high pressure boilers, steam boiler, hot water boiler, steam system, gas system, oil system, boiler furnace

capacity
Capacity is defined as the ability of a heating and cooling system to heat or cool a space. When measured, the cooling capacity of an air conditioning system is generally stated in tons while heating capacity of furnaces and home heaters are measured in BTUs.

Also known as: heating ability, air conditioning ability, cooling ability, HVAC unit capacity

carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, toxic gas that is produced when carbon fuels are burned. Carbon monoxide, also commonly called CO2, can leak into a home or business when furnaces or HVAC equipment becomes worn, leaky or is not correctly maintained.

Also known as: CO, CO2

central air conditioning system
Systems that cool indoor air and dehumidify it in one central location and then deliver the cooler air via a system of ducts are known as central air conditioning systems.

Also known as: central air systems, central air conditioning units, central airconditioning

downflow furnace
Downflow furnaces take in cool air at the top of the furnace unit and blow warm air out the bottom of the unit.

Also known as: down flow furnace

ductwork
Metal duct pipes that form a system of ducts throughout a home or building are referred to as ductwork. Ductwork is used to transfer and circulate air from a heating, cooling and ventilation system throughout the building.

Also known as: ducts, duct system, ductwork system, stainless steel ducts

Energy Star
Developed and trademarked by the US Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. Energy Star is a government-sponsored branding program that tests and labels energy efficient appliances and products.

Also known as: Energy Star rated HVAC units, Energy Star appliances, Energy Star heaters, Energy Star air conditioners, eco-friendly HVAC, Energy Star systems

forced air
Systems for heating, cooling and ventilation that use fans and blowers to move air through the HVAC system and into the home or business are known as forced air systems.

Also known as: forced air system, forced air HVAC system, forced air HVAC unit

furnace
Self-contained heating units that heat air in homes and buildings are referred to as furnaces. Furnaces may be stand-alone heaters or can be part of a heating, cooling and ventilation system. Some furnaces provide central heating by heating air in one central location and then dispersing it through ducts to heat an entire home while other heaters are portable furnaces.

Also known as: heaters, home furnace, heater unit, home heating unit, HVAC system, gas furnace, electric furnace, free-standing furnace, central heating unit

HVAC
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. It refers to air conditioning and heating systems in homes and other buildings. HVAC can also be used to describe the trade of installing, maintaining and servicing HVAC equipment.

Also known as: heating, cooling and ventilation; heating, cooling, ventilation; heating and cooling; heating and cooling systems; HVACR; heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration

heat pump
The heat pump is the unit that handles both heating and cooling. In some climates, a heat pump may handle your heating and cooling needs more efficiently than a furnace and air conditioner.

Also known as: heater pump, heating pump, home heat pump

horizontal flow furnace
Horizontal flow furnaces are installed on their sides, enabling them to draw in air from one side, heat the air and push it out the other side to heat the room.

Also known as: furnace, side furnace, horizontal furnace

heating seasonal performance factor
Heating seasonal performance factor measures the heating efficiency of heat pumps. The higher a heat pump’s HSPF, the more efficiently the heat pump works.

Also known as: HSPF

humidifier
Humidifiers add moisture to the air. Stand alone humidifiers are portable and can be moved from room to room. Other humidifiers are available as permanent equipment additions to HVAC systems to add moisture to air as it comes out of the furnace to keep the air in a home or building from becoming too dry when the heater is running.

Also known as: home humidifier, air humidifier, humidifying system

load calculation
Load calculation is a way of computing the cooling and heating power an HVAC system must produce for indoor comfort. The load is influenced by many factors: climate, square footage of conditioned area, orientation and layout of the building, number of human occupants, room count and dimensions, window and door count and characteristics, insulation quantity and quality, and more.

Also known as: heat gain and loss calculation, heat loss calculation, heat gain calculation, load calculator, HVAC unit load calculation, heating & cooling load calculation, HVAC system load calculator

package system
An outdoor unit that houses heating and cooling blower and coil components, package systems provide heating and cooling for an entire building or home.

Also known as: packaged heat pump, package heat pump, packaged system, package air conditioner, packaged air conditioner, electric cooling package system, gas heating package system, electric heating package system

refrigerant
As used in an air conditioner or air conditioning component of an HVAC system, any chemical used to cool the air is referred to as refrigerant.

Also known as: air conditioning, home cooling, chemical refrigeration, refrigeration, chemical refrigerant

seasonal energy efficiency rating
SEER measures an air conditioner or HVAC unit’s cooling efficiency. The higher the SEER number, the greater the efficiency of the unit.

Also known as: SEER

thermostat
A thermostat is a device that monitors and controls the temperature inside a home or building. Thermostats may be manually set or can be programmable thermostats that are pre-set to heat and cool buildings at a certain time.

Also known as: programmable thermostats, wireless thermostats, touch screen thermostats, home thermostats, HVAC thermostats, heating and cooling thermostats, digital thermostat, home  comfort control

upflow furnace
An upflow furnace draws cool air from the bottom of the unit and blows warmed air from the top.

Also known as: forced air furnace

ventilation system
Home ventilation systems exchange stale indoor air with to fresh air from outside the home. Ventilation systems often filter the incoming air. Ventilation components are often a standard part of home heating and cooling systems.

Also known as: home ventilators, HVAC system, home ventilation system

Q: Why choose a Diamond Certified HVAC company?
A: Diamond Certified helps you choose a local heating and cooling contractor with confidence by offering a list of top-rated local companies who have passed the country’s most in-depth rating process. Only furnace and air conditioning companies rated Highest in Quality earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award. Most companies can’t pass the ratings. American Ratings Corporation also monitors every Diamond Certified company with in-depth and ongoing research and ratings. And your purchase is backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee. So you’ll feel confident choosing a Diamond Certified heating and cooling company.

Q: How do I know when it’s time to replace my old HVAC equipment?
A: Only a thorough examination from a good heating and cooling contractor will tell you for sure if you need a new home comfort system, but there are a few tell-tale signs that it may be time to replace your HVAC unit:

• If your furnace, boiler, heat pump, air conditioner or HVAC system is more than 10-15 years old, you may want to consider replacing it with a newer, more energy efficient system.
• If your HVAC equipment needs frequent repairs, doesn’t seem to be heating and cooling your home as well as it used to, or your energy bills are going up.
• Sudden humidity problems in your home may be a sign of a poorly-operating HVAC system or heating and cooling equipment failure.
• Your HVAC system is very noisy when it runs or seems to be struggling to keep up with your heating and cooling needs. This could signal an undersized system or an underperforming HVAC unit.
• Excessive dust can be a sign of leaky HVAC ducts.

Q: Some rooms in my house are too hot while others are too cold. What could be causing this?
A: Rooms that are too hot or too cold can be caused by duct work problems, poor home insulation, inefficient HVAC equipment or a failing heating and cooling system. You should call a qualified heating and cooling contractor for a home energy audit and a check of your HVAC system. A good HVAC contractor should be able to determine what is causing the temperature fluctuations and tell you the best way to fix the problem.

Q: How often should I have my home HVAC system serviced?
A: Most HVAC companies recommend having your heating and air conditioning equipment checked at least once a year. Some companies advise having a qualified HVAC technician test your heater/furnace in the fall and your air conditioning tested in the spring. HVAC servicing may help your system last longer and stay efficient because regular heating and cooling system maintenance can help locate problems and fix them before they cause an HVAC system failure, help your system run at peak performance and cut down energy costs, maintain healthy and safe operation, and can prolong the life of the furnace and air conditioner equipment.

Q: What features should I look for in a home heating and cooling system?
A: Home comfort systems come with many different features. Your heating and cooling specialist should help you determine which features are best for you, but you may want to spend some time thinking about what is important to you before selecting a home air conditioning unit and furnace. Some HVAC unit features you may wish to consider include home climate control devices such as programmable thermostats, HVAC system noise reduction units, cooling and heating units that preserve home air quality, and high efficiency equipment that helps save money and is better for the environment.

Q: Why should I consider an Energy Star furnace and air conditioner?
A: Energy Star HVAC systems are those that have tested as high efficiency in the Energy Star labeling system designed by the EPA and the US Department of Energy. Energy Star air conditioners, furnaces, boilers and HVAC units may offer better efficiency standards and lower operating costs and environmental costs than competing heating and cooling systems that are not Energy Star certified.

Q: How long will it take to replace my AC and furnace equipment?
A: The amount of time for installation depends on the size of your job, the work you’re having done and the experience level and detail of your heating and cooling contractor. It can take as few as one or two days to add on to an existing HVAC system and up to a week or more to install new furnaces and AC systems. Good contractors will take the necessary time to modify your new heating and cooling unit and ductwork to exactly fit your home.

Q: Do I really need to hire a local heating, cooling and ventilation contractor or can I just install my new HVAC system myself?
A: Poorly-installed HVAC systems can be more expensive to run, can wear out sooner than correctly-installed heating and cooling systems and can even pose a danger to your health. If HVAC systems are installed incorrectly, they can even leak toxic gasses into your home. So it’s important to hire a skilled, licensed HVAC contractor to install, service and inspect your home heating and cooling system. HVAC contractors who know how to do their jobs correctly will install systems without gaps in the ductwork, so systems are more efficient and last years longer than poorly-installed systems.

Q: What is the difference between an upflow furnace, downflow furnace and horizontal furnace?
A: These terms simply refer to how a furnace delivers air. An upflow furnace delivers hot or cold air upwards, pushing heated or air conditioned air up from the top of the furnace into an overhead HVAC duct system and then out through heater vents or air conditioning vents. A downflow furnace is the opposite, pushing air down through the bottom of the furnace and into the home duct system that runs beneath it. Horizontal furnaces, as the name suggests, lay on their side and push the cooled or heated air out into the ducts from a prone position. Horizontal furnaces are most often used in attics, basements or tight spaces because they maximize space.