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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 first installed, flex ducts shouldn’t cause airflow problems in your home. However, because flex ducts aren’t the sturdiest and require extra support, they lose their durability over time and begin to sag, which can inhibit airflow down the road. Also, if your flex ducts aren’t tight enough, your HVAC could work twice as hard for the same air pressure. If you’re worried about the airflow in your home, a rigid duct may be your best bet.

While most air conditioners can last between 10 and 20 years, they will only last this long (or longer) if properly taken care of. Routine maintenance and inspections help keep your AC unit running in tip-top shape but understanding what factors will decrease its lifespan will also help keep your unit running cool.

Some things that shorten your AC’s lifespan include:

• Extreme outdoor conditions, like high humidity or extensive salt spray 

• Improper installation

• Extended run times, either by the unit being too small or the thermostat setting too low

• Not performing required maintenance

High humidity, bad insulation, warmth from sunlight, and poor circulation are all reasons your home’s hotter inside than out. While this is what you want in the colder months, summer can become unbearable if this is a constant. Try to find the cause, but you need to remember that issues like this require a permanent fix (unless you want to bear down during the summer months).