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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 your HVAC system is loud, a few different causes are possible. If you have loose connections or bolts in the hardware, they can rattle as the system runs and vibrates. If you have an extremely dirty furnace filter, it could cause the system to generate noise. More commonly, an excessively loud HVAC system indicates a malfunction in the system. You may have a blower motor that is close to failing or a compressor that is breaking down. These issues require an immediate inspection.

If you know how to identify supply and return ducts, you’ll find that only the supply ducts will have dampers. Although your return ducts can have dampers, it’s not common. If you have one return duct that is pulling in too much air, adding a damper to it can help with overall system performance. However, dampers on return ducts are not a necessary addition for most homes.

While an air conditioner can temporarily run with a dirty filter, it is not recommended as it will not work efficiently. A dirty filter forces the system to work harder to circulate cool air, leading to reduced airflow, increased wear and tear, and higher energy bills. This added strain can cause the air conditioner to overheat or fail prematurely. Furthermore, a clogged filter may allow dust and dirt to accumulate in your ductwork, negatively impacting air quality. It is more cost-effective to clean or replace filters regularly than to pay higher utility bills and risk needing to replace the entire AC unit.