A timely thread as we're also looking at some infrastructure modifications but also because we've become weary of the 2-3 HVAC emergencies a year despite annual servicing. Plan for to minimize problems to avoid emergencies!
A place to start may be by maintaining a spreadsheet with a detailed list of the equipment currently installed: make, model, invoice# and/or proposal ID, install date & other details. Check warranty information and/or on-line searching may give you some idea of useful lifetime which I record in the spreadsheet & compare to in-use times. Replace before end of life expectancy.
That brings us to the question here. Process wise, we're planning to take one or more architects recommendations and discuss them with one or more trusted general contractors. Once you have some specifics, you can search out opinions on those. Note that HVAC firms deal primarily in one brand of equipment - good for them maybe not the best for you. So when looking for an HVAC contractor to ask, find ones that advertise makes you're interested in for their opinion.
Happy to share when we have results from the process.
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Robert Shendock
Board Member
SPCA Eastern Shore
VA
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