Residential and Light Commercial
Repairs . Service . Installation
"David, Thank you so much for being so professional, clean, upfront and honest with our repair. I cant find a place to review you, so I am posting this directly on your page. I called Bridgewater Heating and Air on 9AM on a Saturday because my AC would not work at my Warren home, thinking I would need to schedule a call within the next week. To my surprise, Mr. Iannuzzi was at my home within 2 hours and proceeded to diagnose and service my broken AC unit. Dave worked for 6 hours (on a Saturday) meticulously cleaning and servicing my machine. He charged a very fair price and had to return with a broken part which needed to be ordered. Again, he was professional, fair and honest and returned within a few days with the part (I didn't have to hound him!?!) After replacing the part, my AC works perfect. I can't recommend this company enough. We have had horrible experiences with some of the other local companies, but not with Bridgewater Heating and Air. He even wore booties!! Thank you for a great job."
Triston G.-Warren, NJ
Here is an great article that I found on Angie's List. My customers are always concerned about brands when it comes time to replace their system. I tell them it is really about the quality of the installation that provides longevity. A contractor needs to take the time to size equipment correctly for your home, make sure the ductwork is sized for the equipment & focus on the manufacturers installation procedures so something is not missed.
https://www.angieslist.com/articles/difference-between-best-hvac-brands.htm
Difference Between Best HVAC Brands
Before replacing your furnace, air conditioner or heat pump, learn the difference between HVAC manufacturers.If you’re in the market for a new furnace, air conditioner or heat pump system, then chances are that you need to hire someone to install it properly.
So you went online to start figuring out which brand, which model, which size, which contractor, how much, what financing options, etc. — a lot of things to consider!
Couple that with the fact that this expense is most likely unplanned, perhaps even an emergency situation, and it becomes quite a big decision that needs to be made quickly. Here’s how to do it:
Why do you want to replace your HVAC system?If you’re shopping for a new HVAC system because you recently had service, and the service tech told you that you had to, or that it’s dangerous, then let’s take a step back for a second.
It’s very rare that a system must be replaced. Now, sometimes repairs can cost as much as a new system, but that doesn’t mean you must go that route. There are almost always options for repair.
So, if your answer is, “because I have to,” then get a second opinion.
RELATED: 3 Tips to Avoid Poor HVAC Service
Now, maybe that system is getting old and you just don’t want to deal with annual repairs, or you want higher efficiency to reduce those utility bills, or your system has never heated or cooled your home just right. OK, those are some good reasons to replace your HVAC unit.
Anyway, it’s time to pick a contractor. Wait a minute, what about brand?
Before hiring an HVAC contractor, verify that they are properly licensed to perform the job in your area. (Photo by Jeremy Deal)
Who is the best HVAC manufacturer?I have an Apple iPhone, a Honda Civic, and I’m reading this on a Sony laptop while drinking my Starbucks coffee! Brands are burned into our psyche as Americans.
For most purchases we make, you pick the brand first, then go to a dealer or retailer. Here is how the story goes: I see an ad for a Honda Civic, see people driving them around and now I want one. I’ll go to my local Honda Dealer, whichever one will give me the best deal, or one that I have a good relationship with (hopefully both). A Honda Civic is a Honda Civic, right? Yes.
However, HVAC dealers are actually the manufacturers. A Trane XL19i isn’t a Trane XL19i, even though it has the same label. Weird. Let me explain.
There are about six HVAC equipment manufacturers in the U.S. today, but they operate under more than 150 brand names.
Here are some brands that come off the same manufacturing lines — just different paint, labels, and marketing:
• Lennox- Armstrong and Concord
• Trane- American Standard
• Carrier- Payne, Bryant and Tempstar
• York- Lux and Coleman
• Daikin- Goodman and Amana
You get the idea.
Most of the components that make up these brands’ products are made by even fewer companies: Emerson, Johnson Controls and Honeywell.
Also, these companies are huge billion-dollar conglomerates. They all utilize very rigid quality processes incorporating multimillion dollar machines that produce nearly mistake-proof products. I’ve personally been to many of these facilities and worked as a quality engineer at one. They’re all pretty good at building HVAC units.
So, what’s the difference? Typically, there are small differences on the very top-end products, such as who has the bigger touch-screen thermostat, or is it 98.4 percent or 98.3 percent efficient. But, these are insignificant at the end of the day.
So, what’s the big, clear-cut difference? The installing contractor.
MORE: Angie's List Guide to HVAC Maintenance
Pick the best HVAC contractorUnlike a Honda Civic, the products we buy come in pieces and are uncalibrated. It’s our job as heating and cooling contractors to put them together and set them up for that specific installation. The only place the manufacturer sets up HVAC units for is in their testing lab.
Furnaces and air conditioners don’t just snap together and plug in, unfortunately. It takes about $5,000 in tools and a few years of training to “finish what the manufacturer started.” So, we really are the guys at the end of the manufacturing line; it just so happens to be in your backyard, attic or basement.
So, why are Trane, Carrier and Lennox perceived as better? For one, large national advertising campaigns assure that you have “heard of them.” But the big reason is that they’re selective about who they let install their products. They don’t let the plumber or handyman doing heating and cooling on the side purchase or install their products.
So, how do you pick the right contractor?
1. Read reviews. Guess what? Angie's List has tons of those! And they are actually real. Be careful of the fake testimonials out there.
2. Check licensing. Most states have a contractor license portal.
3. Check certifications. If a contractor is a member of North American Technician Excellence or ACCA-The Indoor Environment & Energy Efficiency Association, chances are that they and their installers know what they are doing. These organizations have stringent test standards and require continuing education.
4. Ask around. Who did your neighbors or friends use? Did they meet their expectations? Was their pricing fair?
Editor's note: This is an updated version of an article originally published on May 31, 2014.
As of June 17, 2015, this service provider was highly rated on Angie's List. Ratings are subject to change based on consumer feedback, so check Angie's List for the most up-to-date reviews. The views expressed by this author do not necessarily reflect those of Angie's List.
June 11, 2015
By Bill Brown
@paramountair
Bill Brown is president ofParamount Heating & Air Conditioning in Columbus, Ohio. He is a regular contributor to the Experts Contributor Program.
David Daher 1 month agoSubject: Trane VS. Daikin
Please, please, please remember 90% of the installation of HVAC equipment is all about how it is installed, set up and if it is properly tested, measured and adjusted. All most all manufactures make good equipment and a majority use a mix of the same internal parts. It is all about the company who is doing the installation weather they complete the manufacturing process as dictated by the manufacture or not.
Scott Menzie 9 months agoSubject: Clearly you didn't read the article
The author is telling you to worry about what contractor you pick and let them figure out what will work best for your home. Good contractors are rare, decent equipment isn't.
A good contractor will do testing of the (working)system before a sale and test again as the install is completed to make adjustments for best performance.
the "big" three that I always point to here are as follows:
1) size the equipment correctly to the house (this means "ACCA manual J" heat load calculation)
2) correct ducts for proper airflow for the new system. (DO NOT ASSUME that your old ducts are adequate, or that they ever were)
3) Commission the system for proper refrigerant charge and metering, proper air volume and proportional air flow to the various spaces in the home, acceptable static pressure in both heating and cooling. Furnaces need to be tested for combustion and proper airflow as well.
In truth there are a multitude of metrics to be looked after but the ones I listed are universal and often not handled properly.
YOU ARE NOT BUYING A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT, YOU ARE BUYING A CONTRACTOR!
Debbie Viego 10 months agoSubject: A/C leaking
I'm a home owner.....this has happened to me a few times and this is what I saw the technician do.....then I did the same thing every time. The drain was clogged! So, he got a wet/dry vacuum and sucked (from the outside drain) that pipe. With the heat of the summer, it had created algae inside. So after he got all of that out, went by the handler, and there's a white pvc tube with a cap......he flushed the line pouring in water.....then, he told me to pour Clorox every so often, to avoid that algae to grow. I have forgotten to do my little homework, mostly during summer time, and got it clogged again.....but do my routine procedure of pouring in a little bit of Clorox.....and that KEEPS IT CLEAN.
https://www.angieslist.com/articles/difference-between-best-hvac-brands.htm
Difference Between Best HVAC Brands
Before replacing your furnace, air conditioner or heat pump, learn the difference between HVAC manufacturers.If you’re in the market for a new furnace, air conditioner or heat pump system, then chances are that you need to hire someone to install it properly.
So you went online to start figuring out which brand, which model, which size, which contractor, how much, what financing options, etc. — a lot of things to consider!
Couple that with the fact that this expense is most likely unplanned, perhaps even an emergency situation, and it becomes quite a big decision that needs to be made quickly. Here’s how to do it:
Why do you want to replace your HVAC system?If you’re shopping for a new HVAC system because you recently had service, and the service tech told you that you had to, or that it’s dangerous, then let’s take a step back for a second.
It’s very rare that a system must be replaced. Now, sometimes repairs can cost as much as a new system, but that doesn’t mean you must go that route. There are almost always options for repair.
So, if your answer is, “because I have to,” then get a second opinion.
RELATED: 3 Tips to Avoid Poor HVAC Service
Now, maybe that system is getting old and you just don’t want to deal with annual repairs, or you want higher efficiency to reduce those utility bills, or your system has never heated or cooled your home just right. OK, those are some good reasons to replace your HVAC unit.
Anyway, it’s time to pick a contractor. Wait a minute, what about brand?
Before hiring an HVAC contractor, verify that they are properly licensed to perform the job in your area. (Photo by Jeremy Deal)
Who is the best HVAC manufacturer?I have an Apple iPhone, a Honda Civic, and I’m reading this on a Sony laptop while drinking my Starbucks coffee! Brands are burned into our psyche as Americans.
For most purchases we make, you pick the brand first, then go to a dealer or retailer. Here is how the story goes: I see an ad for a Honda Civic, see people driving them around and now I want one. I’ll go to my local Honda Dealer, whichever one will give me the best deal, or one that I have a good relationship with (hopefully both). A Honda Civic is a Honda Civic, right? Yes.
However, HVAC dealers are actually the manufacturers. A Trane XL19i isn’t a Trane XL19i, even though it has the same label. Weird. Let me explain.
There are about six HVAC equipment manufacturers in the U.S. today, but they operate under more than 150 brand names.
Here are some brands that come off the same manufacturing lines — just different paint, labels, and marketing:
• Lennox- Armstrong and Concord
• Trane- American Standard
• Carrier- Payne, Bryant and Tempstar
• York- Lux and Coleman
• Daikin- Goodman and Amana
You get the idea.
Most of the components that make up these brands’ products are made by even fewer companies: Emerson, Johnson Controls and Honeywell.
Also, these companies are huge billion-dollar conglomerates. They all utilize very rigid quality processes incorporating multimillion dollar machines that produce nearly mistake-proof products. I’ve personally been to many of these facilities and worked as a quality engineer at one. They’re all pretty good at building HVAC units.
So, what’s the difference? Typically, there are small differences on the very top-end products, such as who has the bigger touch-screen thermostat, or is it 98.4 percent or 98.3 percent efficient. But, these are insignificant at the end of the day.
So, what’s the big, clear-cut difference? The installing contractor.
MORE: Angie's List Guide to HVAC Maintenance
Pick the best HVAC contractorUnlike a Honda Civic, the products we buy come in pieces and are uncalibrated. It’s our job as heating and cooling contractors to put them together and set them up for that specific installation. The only place the manufacturer sets up HVAC units for is in their testing lab.
Furnaces and air conditioners don’t just snap together and plug in, unfortunately. It takes about $5,000 in tools and a few years of training to “finish what the manufacturer started.” So, we really are the guys at the end of the manufacturing line; it just so happens to be in your backyard, attic or basement.
So, why are Trane, Carrier and Lennox perceived as better? For one, large national advertising campaigns assure that you have “heard of them.” But the big reason is that they’re selective about who they let install their products. They don’t let the plumber or handyman doing heating and cooling on the side purchase or install their products.
So, how do you pick the right contractor?
1. Read reviews. Guess what? Angie's List has tons of those! And they are actually real. Be careful of the fake testimonials out there.
2. Check licensing. Most states have a contractor license portal.
3. Check certifications. If a contractor is a member of North American Technician Excellence or ACCA-The Indoor Environment & Energy Efficiency Association, chances are that they and their installers know what they are doing. These organizations have stringent test standards and require continuing education.
4. Ask around. Who did your neighbors or friends use? Did they meet their expectations? Was their pricing fair?
Editor's note: This is an updated version of an article originally published on May 31, 2014.
As of June 17, 2015, this service provider was highly rated on Angie's List. Ratings are subject to change based on consumer feedback, so check Angie's List for the most up-to-date reviews. The views expressed by this author do not necessarily reflect those of Angie's List.
June 11, 2015
By Bill Brown
@paramountair
Bill Brown is president ofParamount Heating & Air Conditioning in Columbus, Ohio. He is a regular contributor to the Experts Contributor Program.
David Daher 1 month agoSubject: Trane VS. Daikin
Please, please, please remember 90% of the installation of HVAC equipment is all about how it is installed, set up and if it is properly tested, measured and adjusted. All most all manufactures make good equipment and a majority use a mix of the same internal parts. It is all about the company who is doing the installation weather they complete the manufacturing process as dictated by the manufacture or not.
Scott Menzie 9 months agoSubject: Clearly you didn't read the article
The author is telling you to worry about what contractor you pick and let them figure out what will work best for your home. Good contractors are rare, decent equipment isn't.
A good contractor will do testing of the (working)system before a sale and test again as the install is completed to make adjustments for best performance.
the "big" three that I always point to here are as follows:
1) size the equipment correctly to the house (this means "ACCA manual J" heat load calculation)
2) correct ducts for proper airflow for the new system. (DO NOT ASSUME that your old ducts are adequate, or that they ever were)
3) Commission the system for proper refrigerant charge and metering, proper air volume and proportional air flow to the various spaces in the home, acceptable static pressure in both heating and cooling. Furnaces need to be tested for combustion and proper airflow as well.
In truth there are a multitude of metrics to be looked after but the ones I listed are universal and often not handled properly.
YOU ARE NOT BUYING A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT, YOU ARE BUYING A CONTRACTOR!
Debbie Viego 10 months agoSubject: A/C leaking
I'm a home owner.....this has happened to me a few times and this is what I saw the technician do.....then I did the same thing every time. The drain was clogged! So, he got a wet/dry vacuum and sucked (from the outside drain) that pipe. With the heat of the summer, it had created algae inside. So after he got all of that out, went by the handler, and there's a white pvc tube with a cap......he flushed the line pouring in water.....then, he told me to pour Clorox every so often, to avoid that algae to grow. I have forgotten to do my little homework, mostly during summer time, and got it clogged again.....but do my routine procedure of pouring in a little bit of Clorox.....and that KEEPS IT CLEAN.