Over-the-Phone HVAC Estimates Are More Trouble Than They’re Worth

Understanding the environment and property is the first step to saving you money

Shortcuts in life are great — when they work. But there are some things you don’t want to rush, and if you want an accurate quote, HVAC is one of them.

If you’re working with a company who has seen your home or installed your current equipment, an over-the-phone, no-visit quote is possible and appropriate. This contributes to homeowners thinking that getting a quote is a simple matter of determining square footage, adding the cost of the equipment, and applying a flat installation rate.

But some companies even count on homeowners not understanding the dynamic nature of HVAC installation, marketing over-the-phone quotes as the gold-standard while framing

in-person quotes as unnecessary at best and a scam at worst. In fact, with these companies, many will guess low to get a foot in the door, hoping to recoup costs later with all the additional add-on work.

Seasoned HVAC experts do it differently

Professional installers know the importance of seeing your home in person to give you an accurate quote. There are several reasons, and all of them come down to this simple point: No two homes are the same. That’s why a trustworthy company will:

• Perform an on-site evaluation.
• Obtain required permits.
• Complete heat load calculations.
• Explain equipment sizing clearly.
• Show how the recommendation fits your home — not their inventory.

Over-the-phone quotes leave a lot to be desired (and accounted for).

Your electric panel matters

Reputable HVAC companies inspect the panel before quoting because everything from the panel location and panel type can impact your HVAC installation.

• The farther your electrical panel is from the HVAC equipment, the more wire, conduit, and labor required.
• Panels must be accessible and meet clearance rules or else it can slow the install or require corrections before work can even start.
• Break space availability is needed because modern HVAC systems often need dedicated breakers. Some people may need a subpanel, a panel upgrade, or load rebalancing.
• Your panel needs to have the correct amperage to support the load. A lot of older homes in the Pacific Northwest often have 60A or 100A panels, while a new HVAC may require 200A service.

Additional, reputable HVAC companies will coordinate with an electrician, ensuring the job is seamless and as hands-off for you as possible.

New HVAC systems have different requirements

Let’s just say older systems were more… forgiving. And because modern systems have different electrical loads and tighter airflow requirements, it demands a more sensitive setup and commissioning. Even though they use less energy overall, electrical needs are often more specific (see above regarding amperage and dedicated breakers).

This precision is also what makes your airflow and ductwork matter more than it did in the past. Modern equipment is designed for exact airflow (CFM) targets and proper static pressure, so if your ductwork is undersized, leaky, or poorly balanced, the system can’t perform as designed.

When these factors aren’t accounted for, they're among the biggest reasons installs get delayed or surprise costs pop up.

Local zoning codes are nothing to sneeze at

Set back requirements mean that mechanical equipment like AC units must be a certain distance from side/rear property lines. These distances help with airflow, maintenance access, and neighbor impacts. Local zoning and building codes vary so these must first be understood and then applied to your specific property to determine where you can (and where you can’t) put your condenser, which is the exterior portion of the AC system.

Ignoring set back requirements can lead to financial or legal problems, not to mention potential issues when it comes time to resell the property.

We save you money by understanding the environment

In-person quotes allow us to accurately assess the job and identify any unique complications — and after almost 70 years serving Western Washington homes, we can attest that there are plenty of unique complications.

You also want to ensure your equipment size is up to the task of meeting your needs. The only reliable way to size HVAC equipment is through an on-site visit and a heat load calculation (often called a Manual J calculation).

When a technician comes to your home, their calculations determine precisely how much heating and cooling your home needs and include these factors:

Square footage

• Insulation levels
• Window size and placement
• Ceiling height
• Home orientation

By critically assessing the job in-person, it’s also possible we can find a better solution that will better serve your needs.

Just remember, a trustworthy company wants what’s best for you. Because of this, they’ll work hard to flag issues early for a seamless installation, rather than surprising you with add–ons later.