When it matters most, do you know how to make the right choice when choosing an HVAC contractor?
Whether you need routine heating and cooling system work, or you’re in the midst of an HVAC emergency, making the smartest decision about who to hire is important. These hints will make the job of picking the right HVAC contractor easier.
Experience
Your HVAC unit is among the most expensive pieces of equipment in your household, so you want assurance the person servicing or repairing the unit has the right amount of training. Good news — many states require HVAC contractors to be licensed before they can even begin working. In some states, in order to qualify for a license, technicians must have at least five years of experience. In other states, HVAC companies are also required have a minimal level of insurance and bonding. Did you know if a company that is working at your home or business is not insured YOU are responsible if they are hurt. Regardless of your state’s requirements, make sure you ask how long a company’s technicians have been servicing HVAC systems. There’s no replacement for hands-on experience when it comes to your investment. Reputable companies like Starnes will welcome your inquiry. Starnes Heating and Cooling is Class “A” contractor in Virginia and Tennessee and carries 5 million in liability insurance for your protection. We also have a combined 267 years of experience in the HVAC industry.
Home Evaluation
If you’re considering a complete HVAC unit replacement, take the time to find a contractor who offers an evaluation of your home before installation. This in-person inspection will help you determine both the right heating and cooling solution for your home. A good contractor will inspect the air ducts to look for leaks and loose segments, factor in your home’s square footage, consider the number and angles of windows, and evaluate your home’s insulation.
References
Don’t be shy — ask for references from any HVAC company you’re considering. Ask if the heating and cooling company has a record of completing jobs on time. Ask previous customers if the technicians respected your home and property. Find out if the company you’re considering tests every system after installation to make sure it runs properly. Doing your homework may prevent future headaches.
Appearance
How contractors present themselves can a leave lasting impression. Pay attention to whether HVAC technicians appear work-ready when they arrive. Do they have the right equipment and supplies? A reputable HVAC company will approach every job professionally and with respect.
Certification
A majority of HVAC contractors are certified through organizations like North American Technician Excellence (NATE). Helpful hint: contractors who are certified will often have a patch on their uniform to alert you to the designation. Keep an eye out for this sign of certification, it is a mark of high standards and quality work.
Communication
A good contractor will keep in touch with you in the days leading up to your appointment, either by email, text or phone call. If there are any schedule changes, they’ll be sure to let you know ahead of time. A lack of this type of customer service should be a red flag.
Do Research
Be sure to do your homework about local heating and air conditioning companies in the area. Use what you learn about local HVAC companies to compare the pros and cons of each before you make a call for service. The extra steps will save you money and trouble in the long run and ensure you’ll get the best service. Don’t forget to read customer reviews – they’ll provide first-hand information about the reliability of each company you consider.
Service Expectations
To get the best value, it’s essential you choose the right service company for your particular HVAC need. For example, if you’re looking to install a brand-new HVAC system, you’ll want to be sure to work with a certified and licensed HVAC contractor. They will provide you with a limited warranty for their work as well as the products they’ve installed. Having the job done properly the first time can eliminate the need for constant visits and ensure that the new system works to the best of its ability.
Finding a reliable HVAC contractor doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does take a little time, research and dedication to determine which one will best fit your current and future HVAC needs.
It sure was helpful when you suggested asking a heating and cooling company for the list of their references that you can contact. As you said, it’s best to do your homework first. My husband and I are planning to have our furnace repaired because its thermostat has been malfunctioning since the other night. For some reason, it has been getting stuck in one temperature, and we can’t find a way to fix it. We’ll do all your tips to find a reputable HVAC contractor.
The air conditioning in my home has only been blowing warm air recently, and your article had some great tips for choosing a service that could help fix this issue. I liked how you said to hire someone that is certified through an organisations like NATE, as this is a mark of high standards and quality work. Thanks; I’ll keep this in mind when hiring an HVAC contractor.
It sure got my attention when you stressed the importance of choosing an HVAC contractor based on his certifications which would ensure that he has the proper training and education to fix and help you with your heating or cooling needs. I am planning on hiring an HVAC contractor to help me repair my heating system. Before the winter starts, I want to make sure that my heating system is properly functioning so that my family would have maximum comfort during the cold weather. I’ll definitely check the certifications and other pertinent documents from my local contractors and see which company would be able to help me best.
The air conditioning in my house has only been blowing warm air recently, and your article had great tips for choosing a contractor that could help fix this issue. I liked how you said to hire someone that appears work ready when they arrive for the job, and that has the right equipment and supplies. Thanks; I’ll keep this in mind when choosing an HVAC contractor.
Are you feeling uncomfortable during the cold and dry season? Interested to find any solution to regulate your room’s temperature? Yes, the heat, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system would be the best choice to accommodate your needs. One of the main advantages of the HVAC system is energy consumption and maintains the air flow inside the building.
I appreciate how the article explains that when you are looking for an HVAC contractor, you should make sure they are certified as it shows that they have high standards for quality work. My sister is needing to get a new AC unit installed at her house but she wants it to be done well. I will suggest that she hire an HVAC contractor that is certified.
I am thankful that your article mentions the importance of checking the certification of an HVAC contractor. My air conditioning and heating have not been working as efficiently as I would like them to. I’ll get into contact with a contractor in the future.
I appreciate the advice on finding an HVAC contractor that has the proper certification. My air conditioner stopped working a couple of days ago. These tips will help me find a reliable contractor I can hire.
I thought that it was helpful when you suggested to choose a contractor who has references for you to check. My wife and I have been talking about finding a contractor to help us with fixing our air conditioning as soon as possible. I will be sure to check their references before we choose to hire them.
I thought that it was helpful when you suggested to look for a contractor who has the proper certifications to work. My furnace won’t turn on right now, and I need to get it fixed soon before my kids start complaining about how cold the house is. It would be helpful for us to know that we could trust in who we would choose to hire. I will be sure to consider their certifications, so we could be confident in them.
Thanks for sharing very helpful information.
Air conditioning system failure may happen anytime without any warning. Thanks for your reminder that I have a conduct local research in our area to know more about the pros and cons of the company before choosing for a provider. Hence, it is highly recommended to hire a professional for any residential air conditioning repair needs.
It’s interesting to learn that in some states it is required to have at least five years of experience before you can get a license to work as an HVAC contractor. My sister needs to have her heater repaired before the winter is over. I’ll recommend that she look for an HVAC contractor that has plenty of experience.
It was helpful when you mentioned that it is a good idea to ask for references from an HVAC company before you choose to hire them, so you can avoid potential issues. We have been talking about finding someone to help us optimize our heating unit, so it can run more efficiently, and it will be important for us to know that we could find the right one. When we look for a contractor, I will be sure to ask for references.
I love that you mentioned the importance of the experience level of a contractor because I hadn’t realized that it needs to be a factor in choosing one. We need to find someone to work on our air conditioning unit because it isn’t working very well, and it will be important for us to know that we could trust in who we would choose to hire. When we look for one, I will be sure to check their experience level.
Thank you for telling me that I have to let a contractor do an initial evaluation of our house first before hiring them completely. An article I’ve read this morning stated how a centralized air conditioning system will let us save on energy costs, and I want to talk to a professional to verify if it is true. We’ll look for contractors that have a good record of completing their projects on time and also ask our friends for recommendations.
I liked that you pointed out that it would be smart to consider checking their references. I would want to hire someone who has a reputation for getting work done quickly and on time. Personally, I would want to get an HVAC system repair person who could communicate well with me.
Thank you for helping me to understand that HVAC contractors who have a patch on their uniform means that they are certified to work in this field. The upstairs floor in my home always seems to be at least ten degrees warmer than the main floor, and I am worried that my vents aren’t distributing air properly. I want to get my vents clean and these tips you shared will help me find the right HVAC contractor for the job.
I like to read well-written articles. It looks like you spent a lot of time and effort on your blog. I learned a lot from your article and I have already bookmarked and am waiting to read a new article. keep up the good work!
My boyfriend and I just moved in together, and we need to have an AC unit installed in our new shared apartment. I like that you said that I should choose a contractor with excellent customer service and proper certification. I’ll take note of that since I’m the one in charge of looking for an AC contractor. Thanks!
Thank you for pointing out to pay attention to the appearance of the HVAC technicians they arrive and evaluate if they have the right equipment and supplies to do the job. My father has been complaining about how his AC keeps on giving him trouble lately. I would suggest to him hiring a reputable HVAC service to repair the appliance for him and tell him to make sure they bring the right equipment to do the work.