When our own Mark Portuese from On the Mark Heating & Air sat down with Home Answers Radio, the conversation immediately shifted from sales talk into the no-nonsense, practical advice that homeowners need. Host Roger Piper kicked off the interview with the simple question about what people should ask before hiring an HVAC company. Mark didn’t start with brands or models or shiny upgrades. He started with the one thing almost nobody asks about.
Mark explained that calculating the proper load is the first question every homeowner should bring up to their tech. That calculation is what ultimately determines what size system a home needs, and not what someone guesses based on square footage.
Our team at On the Mark Heating & Air constantly sees oversized equipment in our customers’ homes. Homeowners think they need bigger, better, and more power to cool off a hot upstairs, but in reality, the oversizing is actually the issue. We actually downsize equipment almost 80% of the time and have never had to come back and swap out or remove a system because a customer was unhappy after we downsized their unit.
When you call On the Mark for HVAC help, we come out and walk the entire home, measure, assess sun exposure, and look at how the house actually behaves. East and west-facing homes are prone to getting more solar gain, which is a big factor in what sized unit you need.
Did you know there is currently no state HVAC license in Illinois? During the interview, Mark clarified that some companies may claim they are licensed because they have plumbing or electrical divisions, but HVAC alone has no licensing requirement.
This is why the value of a NATE certification is absolutely crucial. It’s among the few ways a homeowner can really be sure their HVAC technician has been tested, trained, and evaluated on real equipment.
There’s another point homeowners rarely consider for an HVAC installation. A written guarantee is a sign of how seriously a company takes its installations and reputation. At On the Mark, we offer a one-year money-back guarantee on our new systems.
It’s written clearly and covers situations where the system doesn’t deliver the comfort or performance it should. You might not know whether an air conditioner performs well until June, long after it was installed. Our guarantee protects the homeowner long after the installation day.
Is one brand truly better than another? Mark’s answer was straightforward. There are forty to fifty brand names, but only six actual manufacturers of HVAC systems. There are some differences to consider, but not enough to change the entire outcome of your heating and cooling capability.
Instead, what makes the most significant difference is the design and workmanship of the installer. At On the Mark Plumbing, we consider it a craft. So instead of worrying over the logo on the box, focus on the design and installation that can make or break a system.
When you want to install a new heating and cooling system, you deserve a one-on-one consultation. That’s why our team sits with homeowners for fifteen to twenty minutes before talking about equipment at all. We ask how the home is used, who lives there, where the uncomfortable spots are, and what matters most, from comfort to savings or reliability.
Zoning also came up during the interview because homeowners often ask about it when their upstairs is warmer than the first floor. In reality, zoning only works when paired with the right type of equipment.
If you take a basic system that runs at full power and start shutting off half the ductwork with dampers, you end up with what he compared to an engine revving at full speed with two tires removed. The system fights itself, pressure rises, and components can strain.
There are also other ways to balance temperature differences without focusing on zoning. Mark explained that comfort improvements often come from several smaller changes that collectively make a big difference. Airflow adjustments, duct improvements, rebalancing, equipment right-sizing, and proper installation all work together.
When asked whether high-efficiency furnaces break more often, Mark gave an honest answer. High-efficiency systems have more parts and carry water inside them, so they can be more complex. But they also save significant energy and offer better comfort. Both systems can last well when installed correctly. The key is choosing based on comfort goals and long-term cost, not fear.
We understand how heat exchanger diagnoses can scare homeowners into quick replacements. But heat exchangers rarely crack without another underlying cause. If a contractor simply replaces the part without addressing the airflow or installation issues that caused the failure, the problem will likely return.
That’s why Mark recommends getting a second opinion, which our team offers for free. We believe that homeowners deserve clarity before making a big decision.
Are you ready for an honest look at your heating and cooling system? Our team is here to help. Call us at On the Mark Heating & Air and we’ll walk you home, answer your questions, and help you make the ideal choice that’s right for you and your home. Schedule your appointment today!
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