Best heating and air conditioning pros near Mount Vernon, AL

An HVAC unit, like a furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump, produces warm or hot air. The air ducts serve as the passages to help heat or cool air from the HVAC unit flow through the home. Air ducts are just one part of the overall HVAC system.

While many states do not have specific licensing requirements for HVAC companies, your local city or county might. It's always a good idea to check local requirements online and use a tool like Angi’s contractor license lookup to confirm that the company you’re considering is licensed. Regardless of licensing, you should always ensure the company you hire is fully insured to avoid potential lawsuits if a technician is injured on your property. Additionally, it is recommended to check if the company holds third-party certifications, such as North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification or R-410A certification, which qualifies them to work with HVAC refrigerants.

When deciding whether to repair or replace your air conditioner, several factors should be considered. It is generally worth repairing the unit if it's less than 10 years old, the warranty is still active, and you're dealing with a one-off issue. Most central AC units last about 15 years, while window units last 8 to 10 years. If your unit is approaching or has surpassed the 10-year mark and requires frequent or costly repairs (e.g., over $5,000), replacement is often the more sensible long-term investment. For older, inefficient, or out-of-warranty units experiencing multiple problems, replacing it is typically the better choice.

If possible, avoid placing furniture in front of a return air vent. A blocked air vent can cause your HVAC system to use more energy, which in turn can lower the life span of your unit and raise your energy bill. Furniture can also trap hot or cold air, damaging your furniture or appliances. 

Professional duct installers suggest leaving between six and 12 inches of space in front of an air return vent. If you must place furniture in front of a return air vent, try to aim for putting furniture over a floor vent instead of in front of a wall vent, and avoid draping curtains over any vent system.