No major decision should be made without first doing your homework, that includes the decision of deciding on an HVAC contractor. You’ll want to secure a contractor that will listen to you and ensure they are meeting all your home comfort needs.
HVAC installation isn’t a good candidate to be a DIY project. You’ll need to find a contractor that is highly skilled in many areas. They will evaluate your home’s load calculation, pull permits to guarantee local codes are met, check piping and a whole slew of steps in-between. If your top-of-the-line system doesn’t receive a top-of-the-line installation, you’re more likely to get mediocre performance from your system.
The experts at Solar Air Inc. have put together some questions to ask to guide you on your pursuit of finding your ideal HVAC contractor.
Do they have references or referrals?
Before you work with a company they should be able to provide you with a list of recent customers that can verify the quality of their work. Once you receive that you can call and find out about their recent HVAC projects, if they are satisfied with the results and if they would choose the company again in the future.
You can also check with sources like the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) and the Better Business Bureau. Looking up a contractor on BBB will allow you to see consumer ratings and will also show you any customer complaints lodged against a company. The ACCA is a non-profit that utilizes the knowledge of over 60,000 professionals and 4,000 businesses. Contractors that are a part of ACCA are serious about their profession and will enthusiastically provide you with referrals.
An additional option is asking for the help of your friends on social media. These recommendations are received from people you know and trust. You’ll most likely not only get feedback on what contractors to use, but also who to avoid. If you’re looking for suggestions from your neighbors, nextdoor.com is literally a your neighborhood’s own social media site.
Are they NATE-certified?
If your contractor is NATE-certified you can have confidence that you’re getting a contractor that meets the highest standards in installation and service. NATE (North American Technician Excellence) is a non-profit organization for HVAC technicians. To achieve NATE-certification a technician has to pass specialized and real-world tests that were developed by a committee of the top industry experts.
Are they properly licensed and insured?
Just about every state requires licensure for HVAC contractors. This helps protect consumers from companies that use inexperienced workers. A simple online search will show you whether your state requires a license or not. If you are living in a state the requires a license and your contractor doesn’t have one, look elsewhere to avert any issues.
When to ask these questions?
The perfect time to find a quality HVAC contractor is before you experience a breakdown. If you get your system checked when it’s operating properly and get your regular maintenance scheduled to keep it running properly.
A relationship built on trust and experience is important to us at Solar Air Inc. in Fort Lauderdale. Our professionals will happily answer any questions you may have about home comfort. Give us a call at 954-320-7398 or set up an appointment with us using our online scheduler.